Food for thought: Foods to avoid for your dog!

The Holidays are no longer upon us but there are here! With all of the hustle and bustle of the Holidays it is not uncommon for our furry four-legged family members to pick up treats that they normally do not have. One of the most common questions I hear from clients is "Is it safe to feed my dog or cat people food?". The answer is always the same: It is highly discouraged to feed pets human food although, realistically, they are going to get things. It is important to me, as a veterinarian, that my patients eat their daily dog or cat food rations. While some foods can be fine in moderation, others can be fatal. It is important for pet owners to be aware of human food related hazards to know what to look for when ingestion occurs.

Foods to avoid for your dog:

Alcoholic Beverages: can cause intoxication, coma and death.
Avocado: The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain Persin. Large amounts may cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Baby Food: Can contain onion powder, which may be toxic to dogs. Can result in nutritional deficiencies if fed in large amounts.
Bones from poultry, fish or other meat: Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Canned tuna: Can lead to malnutrition as it lacks the proper levels of vitamins and minerals.
Cat Food: Generally too high in protein and fats for dogs.
Chocolate, coffee, tea, caffeine: Contain caffeine, theobromine which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system.
Citrus Oil Extracts: Can cause vomiting.
Fat trimmings: Can cause pancreatitis.
Grapes and Raisins: Contain an unknown toxin which may lead to kidney damage.
Hops: Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temp, seizures and death.
Human vitamin supplements containing iron: Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to other organs including the liver and kidneys.
Liver: Large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity which affects muscles and bones.
Macadamia Nuts, Walnuts: Contain an unknown toxin which can affect digestive and nervous systems and muscle. Can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs.
Milk and other dairy products: Some adult dogs are lactose intolerant. Diarrhea may result. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Mushrooms: Certain species of mushrooms can contain toxins which may affect multiple systems in the body causing shock and resulting in death.
Onions and Garlic (raw, cooked or powder): Can damage red blood cells and cause anemia, cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
Potato, rhubarb & tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems: Can affect the digestive, nervous and urinary systems. More of a problem in livestock.
Raw eggs: Decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin) which can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Also may contain Salmonella.
Raw fish: Can result in a thiamine deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures and in severe cases, death. More common if fed regularly.
Salt: in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
Sugary Foods: Can lead to obesity, dental problems and possibly diabetes mellitus.
Table scraps in large quantities: Not nutritionally balanced and may contain onion, garlic, mushrooms (see above).
Yeast dough: Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.