Human Foods That Can Harm Your Dog
While most of us feed their dogs dry kibbles as the main course, we must admit that, sometimes, we allow our fur-babies to taste some human foods, too. I know I do, I just can’t say “No” when my Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Toby, comes asking me for a tiny treat. And I say that it is ok, go ahead and let your dog have some treats, as long as you don’t give large quantities or foods that can harm your dog. I am sure that most dog owners know what foods are alright for their pets, and what foods are absolutely forbidden, but here is a list of most common foods that are bad for your pet.
Candies, gum or any other food sweetened with Xylitol: Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Giving Xylitol to your dog can lead to vomiting, weakness and even liver failure.
Raw yeast dough: The dough will expand inside your pet’s stomach, giving him stomach aches and gas. In some cases, ingesting yeast dough can cause fissure in the intestines or stomach.
Tobacco: The nicotine found in tobacco is bad for dogs, too, not only humans. It can affect both the nervous and digestive systems. Tobacco consumption can lead to fast heartbeat, coma and even death.
Sweet foods, sugar: A dog that is given sugary foods can develop teeth problems, diabetes and obesity.
Salt: You may like salt and, yes, it makes our food taste better, but for dogs salt is bad. Consumption of large amounts of salt can cause an imbalance in the body’s electrolytes.
Rhubarb: The leaves of this plant contain oxalate that can harm a dog’s urinary, digestive or nervous system.
Raw meat: Even though some people are feeding their dogs raw meat, you should know that this is not recommended, since it can have bacteria (E.coli, Salmonella). If you want to give your pet meat, cook it first. Boiling can get rid of bacteria, which may cause vomiting and loose stools.
Uncooked eggs: Raw eggs can contain Salmonella as well. They also contain Avidin, an enzyme that can decrease the assimilation of Biotin. Biotin deficiency can lead to hair problems, dry skin and diarrhea.
Fruit pits: Large pits, such as apricot, plum, peach pits etc., are a choking hazard for your pets.
Garlic and onions: Yes, these 2 are not good for your doggie. They contain disulfides and sulfoxides that destroy the red cells found in blood, causing anemia.
Chocolate (all forms), tea, coffee (all forms): The caffeine, theophylline and theobromine contained in these can cause heart and nervous system problems.
Mushrooms: From personal experience, I can tell you that mushrooms are dangerous for your dog. About a year ago, my Corgi, accidentally had a slice of a champignon mushroom and vomited at least 6 times in 12 hours. He was so weak, but thank God, by the following morning he was all better. At that time I didn’t know that mushrooms may contain toxins. Some are so harmful that can cause shocks and even death.
Moldy/spoiled foods: You wouldn’t give spoiled food to your pet anyway, right? It contains toxins that can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Macadamia nuts: The toxin in these nuts can affect the nervous and digestive systems.
Grapes/raisins and currants: Your pets should definitely stay away from these fruits, which contain a toxin that is known to cause kidney problems.
Fish: If fed in large quantities can cause Thiamine deficiency, and result in lack of appetite, seizures, and in some unfortunate cases, death.
Fat trimmings, fatty foods: Your dog can develop pancreatitis if he’s given foods high in fat. Some of the symptoms of pancreatitis are loss of appetite, abdomen pains, vomiting and dehydration.
Bones: Small bones, like fish or poultry bones, break easily and can get stuck in your dog’s throat. If swallowed, sharp pieces of bone can pierce organs from the digestive system.
Avocado: Ingestion of avocado (leaves, bark, fruit) may cause an upset stomach and vomiting.
Alcoholic drinks: You should never let your dog drink any alcoholic beverages since they are very dangerous to them, causing coma and death, besides intoxication.
This is surprising. I never knew fish was bad for dogs. My vet told me fish is ok, as long as just plain boiled with no salt.
My Corgi also like peanuts… anything wrong with peanuts ?
And biscuits… human biscuits.
Well, I think that a little bit of fish is fine, I sometimes let my Corgi taste some tuna canned in water. He also loves peanuts, and almost every human food
My Corgi loves apples, peanuts, carrots, occasional kidney beans, popcorn once in a while. glad to read about grapes and nuts and what they can do. we love our corgi’s.
I am really surprised to hear about fish!! My Corgi Angel LOOVVES fish and any seafood. If I am cooking or eating it, she is right under my feet or jumping up on me trying to get me to drop some. . . .I guess the good thing is that I don’t ever give her more than a small bite. She will be very sad to hear she cannot have any more seafood.
Macadamia Nuts are VERY BAD! My mom had a corgi who got up on the table and ate an entire bowl. He had to get his stomach pumped and almost died. It affected his nervous system and had really low blood pressure (white gums).
I refuse to directly feed my dog human food of any kind though she has managed to get dropped crumbs and once or twice been a sneak I’ve learned from personal experience with her never to feed or leave chocolate out where she can get it because she thew it up and it was just horrible, my girl though loves my home made peanut butter oatmeal dog treats with a little beef broth in them
Pistachios are not very good for Corgi’s. Oliver [ my corgi ] ate one and puked it up later, that may be just because it was in the shell [ i didnt get a chance to stop him ] but i dont want to risk him getting sick again
My corgi has issues with bread. It tends to bloat and make it hard for them to breathe.
I know garlic is supposed to be bad for dogs, but my corgi was on it all last summer and no fleas! I would rather give him garlic than put chemicals on him. I just skipped a day once a week so not to let it build up. I watched him closely since garlic always shows up on the ‘not for dogs’ lists, but he did fine. Contrarily he can’t have chicken or it makes him violently ill.
Good intention but not scientific no citations of sources/studies like human diets there is a lot of misinformation about what is good and bad for you. I wish people would cite evidence when they say something is bad or good for you. If dogs were actually dying from eating people food you can bet their would be a lot of new stories about it — when’s the last time you heard one?