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Us canine folk are rumored to have a very robust digestive system, and although this may be true in the wild, there are certain foods and substances that humans consume which a dog or canine in the wild would never come across or be exposed to.

Dogs in the past and no doubt still in some cultures have always been the “scraps cleaner uppers”, and the evolution of dogs as pets has strongly relied on this feature of the canines ability to survive on what humans leave behind.

However as dog breeding for pets and for purpose dogs has evolved, so has the robustness of the digestive system declined, but there is also the factor that foods and substances which most pet dogs would not normally have been exposed to are easily available to humans to innocently give to us dogs as a treat or just as food.

Below is a list of known toxic Foods and Substances that should never be given to a dog and which most humans might give to a dog without realising the dangers.

Never Feed a Dog the Following:

• Chocolate and Caffeine – Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.
• Onions and Garlic – Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
• Potatoes – Canine digestive systems are not designed to digest the starch properly. Potatoes also contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.
• Bones – It is ironic as most humans think of the very popular phrase – “give the dog a bone”. Bones, particularly cooked, can splinter and can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system. Generally large uncooked bones are ok, however if the dog can break the bone up into pieces it can be dangerous.
• Raw Eggs – Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
• Macadamia Nuts – Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
• Grapes and Raisins – Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.
• Mushrooms – Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.
• Paracetamol and Ibuprofen – Paracetamol in the correct dosage for the dog is actually safe – but the problem with paracetamol is that even a slight overdose can be fatally toxic and if you are guessing the dog’s weight and then halving or quartering a 500mg “human” tablet, there is no way you can safely get the right dose. Anti Inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen are also dangerous in the wrong dosages. Always see a Vet for any medication, even pain killers for your pet.

As always common sense prevails. A healthy balanced diet for your pet dog is the best way to go, just avoid by all means feeding any of the above items.

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