25 Foods You Should NOT Feed Your Dog

[Ann Stewart]

Recently, much news was published about unsafe commercial pet foods.
This news, of course, sounded an alarm among pet owners. But,
unfortunately, this problem isn't really 'news'. It seems that
incidents similar to this occur from time to time. Perhaps this is one
reason more and more people are opting to 'home cook' for their pets.
However, in order to properly home-cook for your pets, you should
first have a basic knowledge of canine nutrition; and, even more
importantly, a thorough knowledge of human foods that are harmful to
dogs. Some foods which are safe for human consumption can be poisonous
for our canine companions. E-dog-training.com has put together a list
of 25 common human foods that are toxic to dogs. Of course, when in
doubt, always check with your vet. Here is a list to get you started:
1. Onions (Both onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient
Thiosulphate. But onions are more of a danger. Many dog biscuits
contain *small* amounts of garlic - garlic contains less of this toxin
so huge amounts would need to be consumed to be toxic. And, by the
way, this poison builds up the system - it can be toxic in one large
dose - or with repeated consumption of small amounts.)2. Chocolate
(Chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac
stimulant and a diuretic. This can be fatal to dogs.)3. Grapes (Grapes
are dangerous because of an unknown substance which is toxic to dogs -
affects canine's kidneys)4. Raisins (See above.)5. Most Fruit Pits and
Seeds (Contain Cyanogenic Glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning -
though the fruit itself is OK.)6. Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia nuts
contain an unknown substance that is toxic to dogs.)7. Most Bones
should *not* be given (especially chicken bones) because they can
splinter and cause laceration of the digestive system and/or become
lodged in your pet's throat - so they also pose a choking hazard.8.
Potato Peelings and Green Potatoes (Contain Oxalates, which can affect
the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)9. Rhubarb leaves (see
above)10. Broccoli (Broccoli is only toxic in large quantities.)11.
Green parts of Tomatoes or Green Potatoes(Contain oxalates, which can
affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)12. Yeast Dough
(Yeast Dough can produce gas and swell in your pet's stomach - leading
to rupture of the digestive system)13. Coffee/Coffee Grounds and Tea
( are dangerous due to the caffeine.)14. Beer/Wine/Alcohol of any kind
(Alcohol of any kind could lead to coma or even death.)15. Human
Vitamins (Human vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause
damage to the lining of the digestive system as well as cause kidney
and liver damage)16. Moldy or Spoiled Food (though I think this goes
without saying.)17. Persimmons (Persimmons can cause intestinal
blockage)18. Raw Eggs and Raw Fish (Raw eggs and some raw fish can
cause Salmonella poisoning.)19. Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder (In
large amounts these can cause an electrolyte imbalance - and severe
electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle spasm or even congestive
heart failure.)20. Mushrooms (Mushrooms may contain toxins which could
cause liver and kidney damage)21. Sugar-Free Foods (Sugar-free foods
containing Xylitol have been found to cause liver failure in some
dogs.)22. Nutmeg (Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, and central
nervous system damage.)23. Excessive Fatty Foods (Excess fatty foods
can cause Pancreatitis.)24. Avocado (All parts of the avocado and
avocado tree are toxic to dogs.)25. Diary Products (Dairy products
don't usually pose a great danger; but many dairy product have high
fat content (see number 23) - and many pets are lactose intolerant -
some pets more than others. Lactose intolerance leads to gas and
diarrhea; though small amounts of yogurt and cheese are usually fairly
well tolerated.)
Keep these 25 toxic foods in mind when cooking for your dog. There may
be other foods that your dog can not consume; so always ask your vet
when you are unsure about anything concerning your pet. Please visit
http://www.e-dog-training.com for more FREE tips, advice, and canine
cuisine recipes. Happy Home Cooking!
http://groups.google.com/group/dogfoodmave/