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We’ve all been there. You’re making yourself a savory meal when, all of a sudden, your dog sits ever-so-politely by your side, staring up at you with their pleading brown eyes. Maybe you forgot to order your friend’s favorite dog chews, and you need something to tide your canine companion over until their tasty goodies arrive. Giving human food to your dog will work in a pinch, right?
Not necessarily. While some human foods can be good for your dogs in moderation, others can wreak havoc on their digestive systems. Read on and find out which human foods are bad for dogs—plus, what you should give them instead.
Don’t fall for those big, puppy-dog eyes! Although Fido might be drooling at the sight of your meal, these human foods can do serious harm to your dog:
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Sorry, avocado lovers, but sharing your favorite toast topper with your dog is a bad idea. Avocados contain persin, a toxin that is poisonous to dogs. Feeding your dog this tasty fruit could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and—in serious cases—permanent damage to your dog’s heart muscle.
With peak grape season just around the corner, you may be tempted to toss a grape in your dog’s direction. But, according to the experts, giving dogs grapes (and raisins, which are simply dried grapes) is a big no-no. Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and may cause upset stomach, lethargy, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, and even kidney failure.
If you’re wondering if your dog can have onions, the answer is a resounding no. Onions, garlic and other members of the allium family contain a substance called thiosulfate, which is harmful to dogs but not to humans. A build-up of thiosulfate can rupture your dog’s blood cells, creating a life-threatening form of anemia.
Just like people, some dogs come running at the nutty smell of a fresh cup of coffee. Unfortunately, dogs are extra sensitive to the effects of caffeine. To keep your furry friend safe, store your coffee grounds and tea bags out of your dog’s reach.
This one probably goes without saying, but you should never share chocolate with your canine companion. Not only does chocolate have caffeine, but it also contains theobromine—a substance that is toxic to dogs.
As a general rule, avoid giving your dog nuts. Not only are nuts high in calories and fat, but certain types of nuts—for instance, macadamia nuts—are extremely toxic to dogs. Nuts often come seasoned with salt, which can lead to water retention and other issues in dogs.
Often found in chewing gum and low-calorie sweets, xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is used to make foods taste sweeter without adding excessive calories. Unfortunately, this sugar substitute is extremely dangerous for your dog. Even small amounts of xylitol can rapidly lower their blood sugar, causing side effects such as vomiting, weakness, lack of coordination, collapse, and seizures.
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with giving your dog the occasional blueberry or a piece of cooked chicken meat, it’s best to limit these foods to avoid begging, weight gain, and other unintended consequences. Instead of doling out human food at the dinner table, try rewarding your furry friend the healthy way with these drool-worthy chews and other foods:
When our food tastes good, we naturally want to share it with our loved ones—and that includes our dogs. But, sadly, not all human food is safe and healthy to share with our canine companions. To keep Fido safe and healthy, go easy on the human food. Instead, reward your dog with all-natural dog chews from PawLove. Our delicious, nutritious snacks are guaranteed to make tails wag.