You can feed a dog just about anything, and odds are, the dog will eat it up without thinking twice. This is a cause of concern for pet owners, as there are many types of foods that will do damage to the health of a dog. It’s important to learn which foods should be avoided to keep dogs healthy.
Onion of any kind can do serious damage to a dog. Onion has the potential to cause anemia in dogs, and should be avoided at all costs. Even products derived from onion, such as onion salt or onion powder, can still cause damage to the dog. It is so serious that even cooking a steak with onion would mean that giving the dog a cut of the steak is out of the question, for fear of health concerns of anemia.
If raw foods such as onion and garlic can cause harm, then of course artificial foods and sweeteners can too! Xylitol is an example of an artificial sweetener that has been known to induce liver failure in dogs when consumed. Xylitol is found in a variety of consumer products, but is easily spotted on the ingredients list for those that want to know what they can feed their dog.
Dairy products and dogs do not mix very well. There are some dogs that are able to “stomach” dairy products, but not every dog has the proper digestive system to take care of the enzymes in most dairy products. This includes milk, sour cream, cheese, and products derived from any of these products. If you notice your dog has diarrhea, it’s possible the problem is with dairy.
Two things to always stay away from would include caffeine, and a special emphasis on chocolate as it contains caffeine. Caffeine will speed up the system of the dog and lead to major heart problems that often result in death. Because it is so serious, caffeine in any shape or form should never be given to a dog. Caffeine can also cause the dog to become hyperactive, which given the circumstances, will be fatal to the dog.
Overall, you must look after your dog and the diet he or she eats. Even feeding a dog table scraps is a poor choice, as dogs need a well-balanced diet to stay healthy. This is also why it is bad for a dog to eat cat food, which some dogs do, as cat food is usually higher in protein and fats than what a dog actually needs in his or her diet.
In Conclusion
Feeding a dog is a science. You have to show responsibility in caring for your dog, and brush up on other foods that you should not feed to him or her. Otherwise you may cause unintentional harm to your dog, and in some cases, could face actual legal charges.
