Hi there! Dr. B here, veterinarian extraordinaire and lover of all creatures, especially those with four legs and a tail wag. You've come to the right place with your question about what your furry friend shouldn't be snacking on. Let's get right into it!

## Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

While we all love to share our food with our canine companions, it's crucial to remember that what's safe for us can be dangerous, even deadly, for them. Here's a breakdown of the most common and dangerous foods toxic to dogs:

Foods Toxic to Dogs:

* Chocolate: This sweet treat contains theobromine, a compound dogs metabolize much slower than humans. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, followed by milk chocolate. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst and urination, panting, tremors, seizures, and even death.

* Xylitol: This artificial sweetener, often found in sugar-free gum, candy, and some peanut butter brands, is extremely toxic to dogs. Xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to a life-threatening drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Symptoms include vomiting, weakness, lethargy, incoordination, seizures, and liver failure.

* Grapes and Raisins: These seemingly harmless snacks can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. The exact toxin is unknown, but even small amounts can be toxic. Watch for signs like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst and urination, and abdominal pain.

* Onions and Garlic: All members of the allium family (onions, garlic, chives, leeks) contain compounds that can damage red blood cells in dogs, leading to anemia. This can occur with raw, cooked, or powdered forms. Symptoms may not appear for several days and include lethargy, weakness, pale gums, rapid breathing, and reluctance to exercise.

* Macadamia Nuts: These nuts contain a toxin that affects the nervous system in dogs, causing weakness, tremors, muscle stiffness, and difficulty walking. Other symptoms include vomiting, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), and rapid heart rate.

* Avocado: While not as toxic as other foods on this list, avocado contains a substance called persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. The pit is also a choking hazard.

* Alcohol: Just like in humans, alcohol is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause intoxication, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, disorientation, tremors, respiratory problems, and even death.

* Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks, caffeine is a stimulant that can be dangerous for dogs. It can cause restlessness, hyperactivity, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, elevated heart rate, and in severe cases, death.

* Raw Dough: Unbaked yeast dough can be dangerous if ingested by dogs. The yeast continues to ferment in their stomachs, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide. This can lead to bloating, a life-threatening condition where the stomach can twist.

Foods to Feed with Caution:

* Dairy Products: Many dogs are lactose intolerant and may experience digestive upset (gas, diarrhea) if they consume dairy products.

* Bones: Cooked bones are a big no-no as they can splinter and cause serious internal damage. Raw bones are generally considered safer but should always be supervised and chosen appropriately for your dog's size and chewing habits.

* Fat Trimmings and Fatty Foods: High-fat foods can cause pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas.

* Salty Snacks: Too much salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning in dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, tremors, seizures, and even death.

Prevention is Key:

* Keep all potentially harmful foods out of your dog's reach.

* Be mindful of what you feed your dog and stick to a balanced diet.

* When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

Remember, our furry friends rely on us to keep them safe and healthy. By being aware of the foods that can harm them, we can ensure they live long, happy lives by our side.
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9 foods your pets should never eatAnything containing the sweetener Xylitol. ... Chocolate, coffee and caffeine. ... Onions, garlic and chives. ... Raw/undercooked meat, eggs and bones. ... Grapes and raisins. ... Salt and salty snack foods. ... Nuts. ... Alcohol.More items...read more >>