12/17/2021
HOLIDAY HUMAN FOODS THAT ARE TOXIC FOR DOGS:
Your dog’s food is specially formulated to give him a balanced diet, too many goodies can tip the scale the wrong way. Sure, small tastes usually are ok, but in the case of some foods, even a little bit can be dangerous. Below are examples of dangerous treats or ingredients that you may encounter during the holidays.
Alcohol
Alcohol is poisonous and can damage the liver, depress the central nervous system, and depress the breathing rate in both people and dogs. Larger doses can affect coordination, cause vomiting and diarrhea, and ultimately cause coma and death.
Most humans can handle moderate quantities of spirits. However, canines usually weigh less and have a lower tolerance, so they’re more readily affected by small amounts. That’s why you should never offer your furbaby a taste of your alcoholic beverage (and that includes Christmas liqueurs).
Macadamia Nuts
Before you offer your fur buddy a piece of a macadamia nut cookie or similar treat, think twice. Although they’re not usually deadly, this food may cause unpleasant effects like fever, muscle tremors, weakness, and vomiting.
Raisins
Grapes, currants, and raisins can be fatally poisonous for some dogs. For susceptible pups, they cause kidney failure with symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite usually appearing within 24 hours of ingestion. At this time, we don’t know what causes the toxicity, and why it only affects some animals.
Onion, Chives, and Garlic
Popular in many holiday foods, onions, chives, and garlic can cause anemia in some dogs. These herbs damage red blood cells and may also induce drooling, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The severity of symptoms usually depends on how much the dog ingests.
Nutmeg
Another common holiday spice is nutmeg. It’s often used as a topper on eggnog and special desserts. Large doses of this ingredient can cause hallucinations, stomach cramps, and seizures in dogs. Store your spices out of reach of your special pal.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine which is toxic to dogs. Targeting the circulatory system, the substance can trigger a rapid heart rate and may cause an irregular rhythm. Other side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and polyuria (increased urine output). One of the reasons that chocolate is so dangerous for canines is that their systems take longer to break down the theobromine than human bodies.
The most toxic form of chocolate is dark chocolate because it has more cocoa, which is the source of the stimulant. Milk chocolate has a lower concentration of the substance, and white chocolate has no cocoa. However, the fat and sugar found in white chocolate is not a healthy choice for your dog.
Caffeine
Like the theobromine in chocolate, caffeine is a stimulant that’s toxic for dogs. Many holiday treats and desserts may include coffee, tea, or chocolate, and each of these ingredients has caffeine. Keep them away from your dog.
Xylitol
The sugar substitute, Xylitol, is also a dangerous substance for dogs. Some of your holiday baked goods, sugarless candy, some brands of peanut butter, and other treats may contain this chemical. If a pooch ingests food that contains xylitol, it can cause liver damage, dangerous drops in blood sugar levels, seizures, and death.
Keep any candy, chewing gum, or other items that include xylitol in the ingredients away from your furry friend. Avoid leaving these tiny treats in jacket pockets or purses that may be accessible to your pal. You should also read the label whenever you buy peanut butter and avoid any brands that contain xylitol.
Eggnog
This special treat contains many rich ingredients such as raw egg, alcohol, sugar, and fat that are unhealthy for your furbaby. If you choose to indulge in the beverage, don’t share it with Fido.
Dairy Products
When you offer dairy products, it can cause an upset. Some dogs also have an allergy to cow’s milk. Offering treats that are loaded with dairy ingredients like milk, cheese, or butter can trigger allergic reactions or a digestive upset. Resist sharing these goodies with your four-footed friend.
Ham and Bacon
Dishes with pork, particularly ham and bacon, are fat-laden, and they may have harmful preservatives. If you think anyone in the family wants to sneak a little taste to your canine companions, stop them. Feeding these foods can trigger pancreatitis.
Salt
During the holidays, many of our favorite dishes contain high levels of salt for flavoring and preservation. A heavy dose of this seasoning can cause your pooch to drink and p*e a lot. Beyond that, if your special pal has underlying heart or kidney disease, a heavy salt load can put added stress on their body systems and make them very sick.
Keep your fur cutie safe and happy this holiday season! See my post on home made doggie holiday treats if you want to include your fur cutie in the holidays!