The dog is actually said to be an omnivore that finds the leftovers from human meals a treat. Often a loyal dog's look is enough and a bite of lunch secretly falls under the table, which the furry friend grabs and eats comfortably. It is not uncommon for a variety of foods that are left on people's plates to end up in the dog's bowl without being looked at.
The four-legged friend cannot tolerate all the foods that his owner likes! Many foods that are mistakenly thought to be safe are not processed properly by the dog's body and its metabolism. In severe cases, symptoms of poisoning can even occur, so a trip to the vet cannot be avoided!
Harmful foods for dogs
While a treat every now and then is not forbidden, dog owners should exercise restraint when it comes to certain foods. You should know exactly which foods can be dangerous for your four-legged friend and which are detrimental to a healthy dog diet. That's why we've put together an overview of the foods that endanger the health of your furry friend.
Onions & Garlic
Indispensable on the human menu, garlic and onions are not suitable for ending up in the bowl. It is irrelevant whether the four-legged friends eat the leek plants raw, cooked or dried.
Onions and garlic contain essential oils and sulfur substances that are toxic to dogs and cause anemia. In the most tragic case, they result in death. You can tell whether the dog has eaten the harmful vegetables if he suffers from vomiting and diarrhea. He refuses both food and water and has blood in his urine. The blood count changes and the appearance of jaundice is not uncommon.
Potatoes, eggplant & tomatoes
You should also be careful with some vegetables. Tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes can be toxic to dogs, especially when raw. It is particularly raw and sprouting potatoes that are not digestible for dogs. The nightshade plants contain the chemical compound solanine in their green plant parts.
The active ingredient has the property of increasing the calcium content in the cells so that they become damaged or die. While this poisoning is usually accompanied by nausea and a feeling of fullness in humans, it is threatening for dogs with their smaller body size. Symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and irritation of the mucous membranes occur. In severe cases, brain function is impaired.
It is important to throw away the water in which the vegetables were cooked because the toxins are concentrated in it. Ripe tomatoes that no longer have any green spots are harmless.
Raw legumes
Raw legumes such as beans and peas pose a danger not only to dogs, but also to humans. This circumstance is caused by the high content of the active ingredient phasin that raw legumes have. When cooked (cooking for at least 15 minutes), the structure of the substance changes and becomes harmless.
Phasin causes red blood cells to clump together. At high concentrations the substance is fatal. Poisoning can be recognized by the animal getting diarrhea and vomiting. In addition, abdominal cramps and fever occur. Serious intoxication can lead to liver damage and cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
fruit pits
Fruit in itself is not dangerous to the health of four-legged friends. The pulp is digested without causing any problems. The stones of stone fruits such as peaches, cherries or plums should be viewed more critically. They contain the toxin cyanide, a compound of the highly toxic hydrogen cyanide. The substance ensures that the cells can no longer use oxygen. They die and the dog suffocates internally. In addition, the sharp edges of some kernels cause internal injuries and bleeding.
It is therefore recommended to remove the seeds and only add the pulp to the bowl. If a dog swallows a fruit stone, he will react with diarrhea, shortness of breath, cramps and fever, and vomiting will occur. There is a risk of poisoning, so a veterinarian must be consulted immediately.
avocado
While people ennoble the avocado as a superfood because of its numerous nutrients, the fruit has fatal effects on smaller creatures such as dogs. Swallowing the core can lead to death by suffocation and the pulp is not digestible for four-legged friends.
This is due to the toxin persin. The effects of the substance on dogs have not yet been researched in detail. What is known, however, is that persin damages the heart muscle and is ultimately fatal. Persin is not found in all types of avocados. However, it is almost impossible for the layperson to recognize the small differences and to distinguish non-poisonous from poisonous varieties. It is therefore recommended at this point to completely avoid adding avocados to the food.
Mild poisoning is manifested by diarrhea and vomiting. Severe intoxication causes the dog to have a racing heart and shortness of breath. In some cases, fluid collects in the abdominal cavity.
Raisins & Grapes
Why raisins and grapes are poisonous to some dogs has not yet been researched in detail. However, it is certain that the ailments caused by these fruits are not caused by the sprays or additives used to promote the fruit's plant growth and improve its appearance. Symptoms of poisoning also occur in dogs that have eaten uncontaminated grapes or raisins. It is also not clear why some animals are insensitive to grapes and raisins and others show intoxication even at the smallest amounts.
Symptoms of grape poisoning include excessive salivation and vomiting. In addition, affected dogs show lethargic behavior and are noticeable through attacks of trembling and weakness. In addition, an unnatural increase in blood calcium levels can be noticed. In the worst case, kidney failure occurs within one or two days, so a trip to the vet is recommended at the first signs.
Even if veterinary recommendations assume that consuming 10 to 30 grams per kilogram of body weight is harmless to dogs, these fruits should be completely avoided when feeding them.
Chocolate & cocoa
Chocolate is a highly toxic food for dogs. Dogs are not allowed to eat any items that contain cocoa and cocoa beans. The cause of the toxicity is the active ingredient theobromine, which is found in cocoa, chocolate and tea. Theobromine belongs to the group of methylxanthines and is structurally related to caffeine.
The substance has stimulating properties. While chocolate can make people feel happy, the small dogs' bodies are overwhelmed by the active ingredient, especially since the animal organism lacks the enzymes to break down theobromine.
Even the smallest amounts cause cardiac arrhythmias and diarrhea in dogs and trigger vomiting. Cramps, difficulty breathing and impaired consciousness can also occur. In the most painful case, consumption of the food leads to the death of the four-legged friend due to cardiovascular failure.
Raw pork
Raw pork itself is not dangerous for dogs. However, if the pig from which the meat comes is infected with the Aujeszky virus, it can kill the dog within two days. The Aujeszky virus is a herpes that is harmless to humans. In dogs, however, an infection triggers fatal inflammation of the nerves, spinal cord and brain.
An infection reveals symptoms such as loss of appetite and restlessness. In addition, tics, itching, personality changes as well as cramps and fits of rage occur, which is why the disease is also called “rabies” or “itch plague”.
Since the infection occurs directly from pig to pig in fattening livestock farming and is inevitably fatal in many animal species, there is a reporting requirement in Germany according to the Animal Health Act (TierGesG). The outbreak of the disease in dogs can easily be prevented. If the pork is heated to over 60° Celsius and boiled or fried, the viruses die and the dog can safely be fed it.
Walnuts & Macadamia Nuts
Nuts are very fatty. This is particularly true of walnuts and macadamia nuts. These fruits are therefore among the foods that must not be fed to dogs. In addition, unripe and fresh walnuts are often infected with a fungus that contains substances that are toxic to dogs. The fungus cannot be seen with the naked eye like mold. However, in dogs it causes convulsions and tremors and can lead to epileptic symptoms.
Macadamia nuts also cause problems for dogs; they have an unhealthy high phosphorus value. They also contain a previously unknown substance that is toxic to dogs and cats. It is now known that the active ingredient attacks the nervous and digestive systems. The resulting symptoms are noticeable as paralysis, fever and attacks of weakness.
alcohol
Excessive consumption of alcohol is not only harmful to humans. Alcohol has a devastating effect on dogs that have a lower tolerance threshold. Even a small sip is enough to endanger the animal's health in the long term. Several sips quickly become fatal.
A dog's organism can only break down alcohol very incompletely. Non-alcoholic beer should also be kept away from dogs. The hops it contains contain substances that are very toxic to small animals. Alcohol ingestion is accompanied by symptoms such as acute vomiting, seizures, coordination problems and shortness of breath. With correspondingly high doses, there is a risk that the four-legged friend will fall into a coma or die. Low doses given to dogs over a long period of time cause liver damage.
Raw eggs
Eggs are part of raw feeding (BARF method) for small animals such as dogs and cats. Therefore, this food, which has a high nutritional value, is not fundamentally bad for your four-legged friend. Fresh egg yolks in particular are rich in valuable ingredients.
Raw protein is more problematic for dogs. This has a high proportion of avidin. The protein removes the active ingredient biotin from the organism, which is needed to give the animal's coat a healthy shine. In addition, older raw eggs can be dangerous if they are contaminated with salmonella. Salmonella poisoning in dogs is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and refusal to eat.
milk and milkproducts
Unlike cats, dogs do not generally suffer from lactose intolerance. Nevertheless, caution is required when feeding. Milk contains a lot of important vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for dogs' health. However, milk and dairy products contain lactose, fats and proteins that can overload the digestive system.
The result is flatulence, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and constipation. Since milk is not part of a balanced dog diet, it should be used sparingly.
Poisonous plants for dogs
Dogs and especially puppies are very curious and like to explore around the apartment and in the garden. They usually come into contact with plants. Some of the plants pose a great danger because the dogs examine them with their noses and mouths and sometimes try to eat parts of the plants.
Some plants secrete toxins that cause burns and poisoning even with a simple touch. Others are characterized by poisonous flowers or roots. Still other species contain substances in their leaves or stems that make dogs sick if consumed.
If the animal comes into contact with poisonous plants such as the poinsettia or the datura, this usually leads to poisoning, which is often mild, but in some cases is fatal. At least in the house and garden, dog owners should ensure that the plants listed below are not planted.
Plants pose a potential danger to dogs
The potential for danger increases when walking the dog or taking a walk in the great outdoors. The selection of plants is larger than in the home garden and the likelihood that the dog will come across a particularly poisonous specimen while roaming around increases. In addition, dog owners have no influence on which plants thrive in the wild.
Many herbs in particular have ingredients that dogs cannot tolerate. Out of curiosity, they quickly eat some of the henbane. Even a blooming flower meadow poses dangers if your four-legged friend sniffs the wrong flowers. Therefore, all owners are called upon to be careful when walking their dog and to go to the vet at the first signs of poisoning.
These plants should be treated with caution
Of course, not all shrubs, herbs and flowers are dangerous for dogs. Dog owners should not be overly cautious, otherwise the fun of the dog and the friendship between humans and animals will be lost. However, we strongly warn against the following plants, although the list is not exhaustive:
- Aloe vera
- Autumn crocus
- Daffodil
- Easter lily
- thimble
- Geraniums
- daffodil
- oleander
- lily
- primrose
- rhododendron
- yew
- azalea
- Cyclamen
- eucalyptus
- mistletoe
- lily of the valley
- Christmas star
- Benjamin
- Henbane
- hemlock
- Pfaffenhütchen
- Deadly Nightshade
- Datura
- Hogweed
- hydrangea
- Golden shower
This is how you ensure the dog's health
A dog's metabolism is fundamentally different from that of humans. Many foods are characterized by properties that the animal organism cannot tolerate. Some of these lead to diseases that would not occur with a balanced diet combined with an appropriate dog food supplement .
It is also important to inform all members of the family and close friends about what the dog can and cannot eat. Visitors often give the fur nose something to eat that they perceive as a treat. The dog itself cannot tolerate the bite and suffers from it.
It is no coincidence that dog training is beneficial for your four-legged friend. This doesn't just teach him obedience. Targeted training also teaches the dog that he is not allowed to eat anything from the table and not to pick anything up from the street.
Prevent poisoning
Poisoning poses a great potential for danger and puts the health of your four-legged friend at risk. The following measures can be taken to limit the risk to a minimum:
- Avoid feeding the dog leftover food directly at the table
- Store food so that the dog cannot access it
- Store cleaning and cleaning products out of the reach of your four-legged friend
- Avoid spraying pesticides and herbicides in the garden while the dog is nearby
- Store rat poison in lockable cabinets
- Never leave chocolate lying around openly
- Do not grow poisonous plants in your garden or home
- Make car products such as oil and antifreeze inaccessible
- Do not administer medication without veterinary instructions
Recognize symptoms
If the dog has eaten something that it is not allowed to eat, it does not necessarily mean that it has been poisoned. It also depends on the amount the animal has consumed. But dog owners should be careful. The following symptoms require action:
- Shortness of breath
- apathy
- Fever
- cramps
- Bloated stomach
- Excessive salivation
- Great thirst
- Bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Vomit
- restlessness
What to do in an emergency?
If acute poisoning is suspected, the veterinarian or the veterinary emergency service comes into play. It is important to remain calm and create a calm and safe environment for the dog. The veterinary practice should then be called and the situation should be described during the first conversation so that the responsible veterinarian can get a clear picture.
It is advisable to take the packaging of the food or product that caused the poisoning with you to the practice. Under no circumstances should you try to make the animal vomit on your own.
FAQ: What can dogs not eat?
Many people are faced with the question of which foods dogs can tolerate and which they cannot. We therefore answer the most frequently asked questions here.
What can dogs eat safely?
Here we list foods that are harmless to the dog's health:
- Apple without seeds
- pineapple
- banana
- Pear
- Raspberries, blackberries and strawberries
- Stone fruit without seeds
- Boiled cauliflower
- Broccoli cooked
- carrot
- Cucumber
- Kohlrabi
- spinach
- pumpkin
What fruits and vegetables can dogs not eat?
The following foods should be avoided:
- Greasy food
- Avocados
- Chocolate
- alcohol
- Garlic and onions
- nightshade family
- Raw pork
- Grapes and raisins
- Raw legumes
Is cheese bad for dogs?
Cheese is a treat for dogs without lactose intolerance. They particularly like to eat hard cheese.
Can my dog eat banana?
Dogs also like bananas. However, due to their high potassium content, they should not be fed daily.
Conclusion - reduce the risk of poisoning in dogs
The best protection against poisoning is to pay close attention to the dog's diet. The animal should learn not to eat anything straight from the table. Visitors should be informed about which foods are healthy and which are not. Foods that are incompatible with the dog must be stored in such a way that the dog cannot reach them. In addition, all poisonous plants should be removed from the home and garden.
