One of the toughest parts of being a pet parent is figuring out what your pet can and can’t eat. Many dogs love human food and will wait patiently beside the kitchen table, hoping for a treat. But they can’t eat all the same things that we can. So what can they and can’t they have?
Foods to avoid are:
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Garlic – garlic is very toxic to dogs and causes anemia, which can result in things like higher heart rates and collapse.1
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Grapes – grapes and raisins should both be avoided because they can cause kidney failure. Something within them is toxic to dogs, although it isn’t quite known what it is yet.
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Macadamia Nuts – these can cause vomiting, hyperthermia, tremors, and weakness.2
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Avocados – avocados have persin in them, which causes vomiting and diarrhea.
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Cooked Bones – these can splinter if eaten and can cause serious damage on the inside.3
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Chocolate – chocolate has methylxanthines in them. These cause hyperactivity, seizures, vomiting, abnormal heart rate, and more. They can also be found in coffee.
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Xylitol – a sweetener found in many products. It can cause liver failure and hypoglycemia.2
Some foods that dogs can enjoy are:
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Eggs – as long as they’re cooked through.
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Coconut – this can actually be beneficial and help bad breath and skin conditions.
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Peanut Butter – make sure this is unsalted, natural peanut butter as it’s healthier than other types of peanut butter. Also, make sure to check it doesn’t have xylitol in it!1
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Pineapple – this contains lots of vitamins and minerals and actually helps dogs absorb proteins.
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Carrots – these are great sources of fiber and vitamin A.
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Celery – Celery has lots of vitamins and helps with bad breath.
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Strawberries – these can help whiten your dog’s teeth as well as give them fiber and vitamin C.4
There are many other foods that your dog can and can’t enjoy, so if you’re ever unsure about a specific food, be sure to double-check!
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All the best,
Chris & the WERC Team
Sources:
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https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/
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https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
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https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-care-advice/toxic-food-dogs
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https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/