Puppies love people food. There’s no getting around it. You could feed Fido the most expensive, top of the line puppy food and he would still be interested in what you have on your plate.
Unfortunately, there are several food items that can cause toxicity. Therefore, it is best to avoid feeding people food at all, but if you can’t ignore those pleading eyes, at least be aware of the foods that can cause health problems. Remember, what is good for you is not necessarily good for your puppy.
Chocolate:
Chocolate and cocoa should be avoided at all costs. They contain the chemical theobromide, which can have adverse effects on lungs, kidneys, the heart and central nervous system. Tolerance levels for the chemical strongly depend on the size and breed of your puppy, but it is a good idea to take him to the vet if any amount is ingested. Also, it is best to avoid all chocolate products as a general rule of thumb, but pure baking chocolate is said to be the worst.
Signs of theobromide poisoning include tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, abnormal heart rate, drunken gait, seizures or coma. Should your puppy eat chocolate, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Caffeine:
Keep puppies away from any products containing caffeine. Caffeine has a very similar effect to puppies as it does to humans, which include increased heart rate and breathing. However, a puppy’s system is not setup to process this type of reaction. Consumption can cause heart, kidney, lung and central nervous system problems.
Grapes and Raisins:
Although grapes and raisins are good for humans, don’t feed them to your puppy. As few as four or five grapes or raisins can cause toxicity in a dog weighing 20 pounds.
Symptoms of poisoning from grapes or raisins include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, decreased urine production, abdominal pain, weakness or a drunken gait. Signs of illness from the consumption of grapes will usually appear within 24 hours. A call to your veterinarian is a must if you suspect your puppy is having problems.
Onions, Garlic, and Chives:
Onions, garlic and chives should also be avoided as they contain the chemical thiosulphate. They can cause a form of anemia, a condition that affects red blood cells. This can lead to kidney damage. The outer symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and discolored urine. Symptoms can show as late as a few days after ingestion.
Macadamia Nuts:
Avoid feeding macadamia nuts to puppies. There is no proof that consumption of these nuts is fatal, but they can make the puppy sick. Ingesting macadamia nuts can cause weakness, vomiting, depression, a drunken gait or the swelling of joints. Symptoms usually occur within six to 24 hours.
Xylitol:
Safeguard chewing gum and candies that contain the ingredient xylitol, which is a sugar-free sweetener. It can cause excess production of insulin, which leads to low blood sugar. A small amount can lead to liver damage. Signs of toxicity from xylitol occur quickly and include weakness and seizures.
Fruit Pits:
Avoid feeding fruit pits to your puppy. Peach, plum, pear, apricot and cherry pits and apple seeds contain cyanide. Vomiting, heavy breathing, skin irritations and coma are signs of cyanide poisoning.
Avocados:
Avocados are also bad because they can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Alcoholic Beverages:
Keep alcoholic beverages away from puppies. They contain ethanol, a chemical that can have a debilitating effect on the respiration and the central nervous system.
Potatoes:
Avoid feeding puppies any form of potatoes. They are hard to digest and can cause vomiting.
Fresh Foods:
In general, if you can’t resist the urge to share your food with your puppy, make sure that whatever you are feeding him is fresh. Take the same precautions as you would for yourself in respect to questionable smells, outdated products, and general look and feel of the food. Along the same lines, keep him away from garbage cans and compost piles where they may ingest moldy, spoiled foods.
Keep in mind that puppies will eat just about anything, so it’s important for you to safeguard them against the dangers of eating everything they see. In order to “puppy proof” the house, try sitting on the floor and looking at your surroundings through the eyes of your puppy. You’ll probably find there are a few things that should be moved to higher ground.
Should your puppy ingest foods that can cause medical problems, contact your veterinarian immediately. A simple telephone call could save your pet’s life.
Related posts:
- Poisonous Plants to Puppies
- Good Foods to Feed a Puppy When She is Sick
- Puppies Without Appetites
- Common Plants Potentially Dangerous to Puppies
- Human Medicine for Puppies
