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What not to feed your dog?



(March 9, 2010)

Several foods which are commonly available in most homes can be very detrimental to the health of your dog. People tend to feed their pets all kinds of foods. However it is important to remember that if certain foods are not good for a human, then they are probably not good for your pet as well. Dogs tend to eat almost anything they find, and therefore the owner must be careful about the kind of foods he leaves around for his dog to find.

Dogs are commonly fed bones even though they are extremely bad for them. Dogs are omnivores and are unable to tolerate bones. The bone splinters can easily become lodged in the intestines and cause severe damage. Surgery may also be required in some cases to treat the problem caused by bones. Bones can also get trapped in the mouth and throat. All types of bones are bad for dogs, including chicken, beef and pork. Another harmful food for dogs is chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine which results in elevated heart rate and increased stimulation of the nervous system. It can also result in constriction of the arteries. Other effects of chocolate consumption in dogs include diarrhea, vomiting, increased excitement and restlessness. Heart failure, seizures and even death can occur in some cases. These symptoms may appear 4 to 6 hours after the chocolate has been consumed. The most lethal type of chocolate is baking chocolate as it contains very high amounts of theobromine.

Alcohol is also harmful for dogs as it can cause intoxication. The dog may become disoriented and can hurt himself. If ingested in large amounts, alcohol can suppress the heart, respiratory system and central nervous system. Many pets are lactose intolerant and as such ingestion of milk may lead to diarrhea and vomiting. Salty meats such as ham can be harmful for dogs due to the large amounts of fat and salt they contain. This can result in stomach upset and also pancreatitis. Another toxic food for dogs is onions, which can cause damage to the red blood cells. Caffeine, like chocolate, also stimulates the nervous system and results in restlessness, increased heart rate and vomiting. Avocados are high in fat and can lead to intestinal upset and vomiting. The pits of avocados can also be toxic and can become easily lodged within the intestinal tract. Raisins and grapes are also known to be harmful for dogs as they can cause kidney failure.

Submitted by A on March 9, 2010 at 11:38

 

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