Good and Bad Foods for Dogs
We all love our pets and sometimes those puppy dog eyes just melt us to the point we give-in to their desire to have what we are eating. Well, some of those things are not good for them and some are. Dogs’ digestive system are unable to process foods the same way ours do, therefore causing potentially serious problems. The last thing you want to be doing is rushing Fido to the veterinarian to have their stomach pumped.
My disclaimer: I am NOT a veterinarian or dog dietician and you should seek the advice of one for the health of your dog.
I’m going to share five foods that are bad/dangerous for dogs to consume. There are more but these were the ones that I deemed the top five worst foods based on severity of health problems. Again consult your veterinarian for further information and advice.
5 Foods not good for dogs:
Chocolate – can cause heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death
Grapes and Raisins – can cause kidney failure
Caffeine (coffee, cocoa, tea) – can be fatal
Onions and garlic (powder, raw, dehydrated) – kill the red blood cells
Xylitol – Though not a food, it is found in foods as a sweetener – can cause liver failure
If you think your dog got into any of these items, contact your veterinarian right away. The sooner you address the issue the better.
On the other side of the spectrum, there are good human foods you can give your pup without fearing major health problems for them. Again, check with your veterinarian for your individual dogs’ needs.
Good foods for dogs:
Apples and watermelon – remove the seeds, stems, and leaves first
Cooked, lean meats – remove visible fat and bones
Carrots, zucchini, and green beans
Cooked, plain white rice. This paired with plain, cooked chicken can help sooth your pup when they have stomach problems. It has worked with our basset hound. She has had some stomach issues in the past and refused to eat her regular dog food. After giving her a few helpings of this mixture, she was back to normal.
I hope you find this helpful. I will be honest, I did not know about a few of these foods as being bad for dogs - like grapes, onions, and garlic. Very good to know.
There are other foods and non-foods that can cause issues with dogs and it is good to do your own research on each of them. We certainly want to keep their tails wagging as they give us unconditional love on the daily basis and need our help determining the bad from good foods.
