We love our pets and, as part of the family, only want the best for them. Many of us like to give our pups special morsels fro our own dinner plates but there are foods that are dangerous to our dog's health.
The Food and Drug Administration recently published a list of human foods we should not feed our dogs. With digestive systems very different to ours, some of the fruits and vegetables we consume can proof harmful.
"Our bodies may break down foods or other chemicals that a dog’s can’t tolerate,” said Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian with the FDA. She also noted that a dog's allergic reaction to a food can present differently than it would in humans, as dogs often develop skin and ear issues in response to allergens.
Stamper also states that each dog may have a different reaction to the foods on below list. A dog's size and genetics determine how it reacts to these kinds of foods.
Below is the list of foods the FDA warns against giving your canine companions.
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Currants
- Fried and fatty foods
- Onions (and onion powder)
- Garlic (and garlic powder)
- Chives
- Large quantities of salty snacks
- Moldy food
- Macadamia nuts
- Chocolate (of course)
- Xylitol (a sugar replacement)
- Raw meat
Cats tend to be much more finicky than dogs when it comes to food, which puts them at lower risk of food-related complications but they should not be fed garlic or onions, either.
To ensure your dog's health and safety, avoid feeding it any of the food on this list. According to the FDA, consuming these items and ingredients may lead to stomach ache, dangerous illness, or potentially fatal pancreatitis in man's best friend.
