What Human Foods are Bad for my Dog?

As tempting as it is to reward your dog with human food for a job well done or simply because he’s so cute begging like that, doing so could be bad news for your pet. Some human foods contain toxic chemicals that a dog’s system can’t handle, and in high doses can actually lead to death.

There are many human foods that can cause vomiting and death in your pet. Keep reading to find out what some of the most dangerous human foods for your dog are so you can avoid giving them in the future.

• Chocolate – Contains a substance called methylxanthines that’s toxic for dogs. In small doses, it causes vomiting, but in large doses can be fatal. How much is too much depends on the size of the dog and the type of chocolate consumed. Your best bet is to make sure your dog never has access to chocolate.

• Fruit pits – Although fruit is good for you and your dog, the pits pose a choking hazard and sometimes contain toxic substances your dog’s system can’t handle. When eating fruit with pits, make sure you throw them away in a secure garbage can!

• Alcohol – You know what it does to you if you drink too much, and it has the same effect on your pet. Unfortunately, due to their smaller size, alcohol consumption can lead to vomiting, breathing problems, coma and death in your dog, so avoid giving it to him at all costs.

• Avocado – Although healthy for us, avocados are not so much for dogs. They contain persin, a known poison to dogs that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

• Macadamia nuts – These nuts are super bad for your dog. They contain a number of toxins that can be harmful, causing vomiting, weakness and overheating in your dog. Consuming macadamia nuts can even affect some organs in your dog’s body. Keep them out of reach of your pet.

• Grapes and raisins – Another bad healthy food, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. In higher doses these fruits can cause permanent damage and even death, so be careful when eating grapes and raisins – just one could spell trouble for your canine companion.

• Apple seeds – Containing a chemical that’s deadly to animals, apple seeds are a huge no-no for your dog. Never give your dog a whole apple under any circumstances.

• Coffee – It might wake you up in the morning, but for your dog, it could be dangerous. Containing large amounts of caffeine, coffee consumption in dogs can fatally affect the heart. Discard of coffee grounds appropriately in the garbage.

These are just a few of the human foods your dog should not consume. You may think you’re giving him something special by sharing your food with him, but you could be setting him up for health issues and sickness. Stick with healthy dog treats made especially for your furry friend to avoid an emergency visit to the vet or worse.