Surely we think our furry, cuddly pups have clad-iron stomachs. But that thought is wrong. Certain foods that are perfectly fit for human consumption, can have dangerous and toxic consequences when it comes to dogs. Their digestive systems are different than ours, and many foods that we eat can wreak havoc on a dogs body causing severe health problems, and even death.

Here is a list of some of the dangerous and toxic foods we should never feed to our precious pooch.

1. Chocolate

The top most harmful food for dogs. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs because it contains theobromine and caffeine. Both of these, even in small quantities, can lead to a heart attack, and central nervous system problems in dogs.

Darker chocolate has a higher cocoa content, which is more toxic than milk chocolate. Therefore, it takes less semisweet dark chocolate to cause toxicity than milk chocolate. Some chocolate also contains xylitol, which is harmful for dogs. Even baked goods that contain chocolate such as cookies or cakes, can still pose a risk to our pets.

Call your vet or a Pet Poison Helpline immediately if you think your dog has eaten chocolate. Be prepared to tell them the type and approximate amount of chocolate your dog ate so they can determine the appropriate treatment.

2. Grapes And Raisins

Grapes and raisins are the second most toxic food for dogs. If your dog only eats just one it can cause sudden kidney failure and be fatal. Keep these far out of reach. These are a strict no-no- for dogs.

If your dog eats grapes or raisins, take them to the vet immediately, especially if they vomit.

3. Artificial Sweeteners(Xylitol)

Xylitol – an artificial sweetener –is toxic to dogs and can be fatal. Xylitol absorbs quickly into a dog's bloodstream, causing a rapid release of insulin and a dangerously sharp drop in blood sugar. This can lead to tremors, seizures, coma, and death. It can also cause liver damage. Xylitol can be found in products such as candy, chewing gum, dental products, and even peanut butter.

Always check the ingredients before giving your dog any human food. If you suspect your dog has eaten xylitol, get them to a vet immediately, or call the Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680.

4. Avocados

Keep your dog away from avocados at all times. Avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, pancreatitis, and a heart attack. It’s much safer to offer treats without causing our doggies all the pain and problems.

5. Onions

You should NEVER give your dog onions. Onions contain a compound called N-propyl disulfide, that damages dogs’ red blood cells, causing anemia. In extreme cases, onion poisoning can be fatal for dogs.

All parts of the onion plant are toxic to dogs, including the flesh, leaves, juice, and any processed powders. Check all food ingredients, and do not feed your dog anything that contains onion, onion powder, or onion flakes. Also do not feed them Shallots, Scallions, or green onions.

6. Garlic

Garlic is considered the most toxic of all plants in the allium family. Other plants in the allium family, include chives and leeks which are also toxic to dogs. Keep all foods containing garlic out of paw’s reach. Ingestion of garlic can severely damage red blood cells, causing them to rupture.

7. Cherries

The stems, leaves, and pits of cherries contain cyanide, a potentially deadly chemical if ingested. Cyanide kills tissues by making it difficult for them to use oxygen. The toxicity is especially high when the cherry is wilting. The same goes for Apricots.

If you want to give your pup some fruit, offer them a small amount of blueberries, a couple of cored and seeded apple slices, a few slices of banana, or pitted mangoes.

8. Caffeine and Coffee

Many humans start the day with a hot brewed cup of coffee. But we don't want to share it with our four-legged friends. Dogs are far more sensitive to caffeine that we are, even a small amount can lead to hyperactivity, muscle spasms, seizures, and irregular heartbeats. In high enough doses, it can be fatal.

Remember that caffeine isn’t only in coffee. Check the labels for caffeinated soft drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks. In addition to caffeine, many sports and energy drinks contain xylitol, a dangerous artificial sweetener. Tea also contains caffeine, and can be poisonous to dogs.

9. Rhubarb

This delectable dessert vegetable should never be fed to dogs. The entire rhubarb is toxic.The leaves and stems contain soluble oxalate crystals, and If ingested can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, swelling of the mouth, labored breathing, kidney failure and other serious health issues in dogs.

Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if your dog has eaten rhubarb.

10. Certain Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is typically a food dogs can eat. But check the ingredients before giving your dog peanut butter or other nut butters, because some varieties contain xylitol.

Even small amounts of xylitol can cause the following in dogs: Low blood sugar, Seizures, Liver failure, death.

11. Ice cream

According to the American Kennel Club,"It may be tempting to share your cone with your four-legged friend, it's best to avoid giving ice cream to dogs." Many adult dogs are lactose intolerant to various degrees, which prevents them from properly digesting milk products.

Dogs who do get a lick of your cone may experience digestive troubles, including: Vomiting, loose stools, Diarrhea, Gas, and stomach pain. Dairy products with high fat content can also cause pancreatitis in dogs.

Ice cream, especially sugar-free types, may also contain xylitol. This artificial sweetener is very toxic to dogs.

If you want to give your dog a cold treat, freezing some fat-free plain Greek Yogurt may be a better choice.

12. Alcohol

We all know that Alcohol isn't really good for our health, but it's even worse for dogs. They are smaller than us, so it doesn't take much for them to suffer serious health problems. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma, and death in your canine companion.

You should absolutely not give your pet alcohol or foods that contain alcohol under any circumstance. Some dogs are attracted to alcoholic drinks, so be sure you do not leave alcoholic beverages unattended.

If you suspect your pet has ingested alcohol, contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

13. Nuts

A wide variety of nuts are toxic to dogs, including Macadamia nuts, Walnuts, Raw Cashews , Pistachios, Hickory nuts, Pecans, Almonds, Brazil nuts. These all can cause serious, if not deadly consequences.

Brazil nut butters and other many other nut butters can contain dangerous additives like xylitol. This sugar substitute is poisonous to dogs and cats.

A few nuts like unsalted peanuts, cashews and English walnuts can be given in very small amounts. I myself say NO to all nuts when it comes to my precious pets. There are enough treats that don't harm them so I would never take the chance.

14. Raw or Undercooked Meat

Recently, some dog owners have embraced raw feeding. This trend advocates feeding your pup a raw diet to simulate what their ancestors ate in the wild. But just because wild dogs ate raw meat, that doesn’t mean it’s a food your dog can eat.

Raw or undercooked meat and eggs carry bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and listeria that can make humans and dogs sick.

15. Uncooked Doughs That Contain Yeast

If your canine companion takes a bite out of your bread, you probably don’t have to be concerned. But uncooked yeast dough is definitely a food your dog cannot eat.

The dough can rise once in the dog’s stomach, causing the stomach to bloat. Bloating can cause the stomach to twist, which is a life-threatening emergency.

Another problem with yeast dough is that the yeast ferments carbohydrates in the dough, producing ethanol (alcohol). Ingested yeast dough can potentially cause alcohol poisoning in your pup.

16. Bones

You may have heard that giving your dog cooked bones is unsafe. But many vets believe that all bones pose a health risk.

Several injuries and illnesses can result from dogs chewing on bones, including: Broken teeth and mouth and tongue injuries (which happened to Peaches), gastrointestinal (GI) tract blockages, bones getting stuck around the dog’s lower jaw, vomiting, diarrhea, choking, injuries to the stomach and intestines, bleeding from the rectum, bones getting stuck in the stomach, bone fragments scraping the lining of the GI tract, illness caused by bacteria on raw bones.

There are many alternative chewing products on the market for dogs. Ask your vet for a recommendation rather than risking an emergency visit.

17. Salt

It may suprise you to see salt on this list, but salt can be toxic to dogs. If your dog ingests too much salt, it can lead to: diarrhea, vomiting, lack of energy, loss of appetite, increased thirst or urination, lack of coordination.

Salt is an essential nutrient for dogs in small quantities, about 13 mg/kg of body weight per day. To prevent salt toxicity, make sure your dog has access to fresh water and avoid giving them excessive sodium.

Is It Ever OK For Your dog To Eat Human Food?

Your dog should get most of their nutrients and calories from a regular organic food diet. As long as your pet's nutritional needs are met, it doesn't really matter if he or she eats store-bought or homemade. If you want to make your dog homemade meals, be aware of which foods are safe for dogs. And consult your vet to ensure that your homemade food will meet your dogs requirements.

If you find cooking for your dog daunting and time consuming, there are commercial foods that can be purchased that contain whole ingredients that are pre-cooked. Which is very close to cooking.

If you want to give pet-safe snacks to your pup, you may give them a small amount of carrots, celery, cauliflower, apples, blueberries, Xylitol-free peanut butter, cheese, or strawberries (avoid canned or strawberries in syrup).

You may also give them skinned, seeded and boiled or steamed pumpkin, zucchini, and butternut squash.

Keep in mind that dog treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s calories.

Signs Of Food Poisoning In Dogs

Signs of food poisoning differ depending on the specific toxic substance your dog ate. But poisoning in dogs will often show up as gastrointestinal or neurological symptoms.

Signs to watch out for include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Bloody stool
• Hyperactivity
• Seizures
• Lethargy
• Tremors
• Off balance when standing or walking
• Lack of coordination
• Bruising or bleeding
• Blood in the urine

If you notice any of the above symptoms, take your dog to your vet or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

When should you take your dog to the vet if they ate something toxic?

If you suspect your dog ate something poisonous, call your veterinarian. Early intervention is critical in the case of poisoning, so call as soon as possible. If it is outside office hours, call the Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680, a 24-hour poison control service.

Dogs navigate the world with their noses and mouths. Therefore, accidents do happen. It is critical to recognize toxicity signs to get your pup the appropriate care as quickly as possible if they ingest something poisonous.

Conclusion:

Dogs have an extraordinary olfactory capability, and can easily and quickly pick up the smell of food from up to 12 miles away. Several common food items can be poisonous to dogs. Know what human foods can be deadly to your dog, and keep them out of paw’s reach. Be aware of common signs of food poisoning in your pup. And if you suspect your pooch has eaten something toxic, don't hesitate, call your vet immediately.