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