Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

Around the holidays, you might see family and friends trying to sneak treats to your dog under the table. There are some foods that dogs should never have because they have toxins that can make dogs very sick. This post includes the top foods to avoid giving your dog, alternative food options your dog can eat, and how you can tell if your dog is feeling sick.

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Foods You Should Never Give to Your Dog

Coffee – The caffeine in coffee is toxic to dogs so both coffee and energy drinks should be kept away from your dog.
Avocados – Avocados contain Persin, which is a fungicide that is toxic to dogs.
Onions – They contain a toxin called N-propyl disulfide, which can lead to anemia in dogs.
Grapes and Raisins – Both Grapes and Raisins are hard for dogs to digest and can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Chocolate – Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are difficult for dogs to metabolize. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous for dogs, while milk chocolate and white chocolate should still be avoided, but they are less harmful and have a lower theobromine content.
Macadamia Nuts – Macadamia nuts are the most harmful types of nuts for dogs, although the reason is unknown. Other types of nuts such as almonds and pistachios should also be avoided due to their high salt content and danger of being choked on.
Gravy – It is very high in sodium, which can be hard for your dog’s body to process and some gravy may contain garlic or onion, which is toxic to dogs.
Garlic – Garlic contains thiosulfate, which is toxic to dogs and can cause anemia.
Sausage –Sausage should be avoided because is high in fat and sodium and may contain seasonings that are not safe for your dog to eat. Also, if the sausage is not fully cooked, it can lead to severe illness in your dog.
Sugars and Xylitol – These can cause your dog to have an upset stomach and serious illness, depending on how much is consumed and how sensitive your dog is to it.

What foods CAN you give your dog?

See our full post on Healthy Human Foods for Your Pomsky Dog to learn about human foods that contain specific nutrients. The list below includes some quick dog-friendly snacks that you might have in your kitchen already:

Cheddar Cheese
Carrots
Peas
Bananas
Peanut Butter (only types that have peanuts as the only ingredient)
Chicken (without any seasoning)

How can you tell if your dog is not feeling well or ate something they shouldn’t have?

Always consult your veterinarian if you are worried that your dog is sick or has eaten a toxic food. Some of the common signs your dog is not feeling well are listed below, but you know your dog the best so you should be able to determine if they are acting unusual.

Weakness
Lethargy or Hiding
Whining or Crying
Breathing Problems
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Tremors
Seizures

Summary

Take good care of your dog by only giving them foods that are safe for them to eat. Avoid foods that contain toxins, and only give your dog human foods that are simple without any added seasoning or flavors. If you are in doubt, stick with the store bought dog treats and dog food to ensure your dog won’t get sick from eating unfamiliar foods.