Food & Recipes

9 Human Foods That Dogs Should Never Eat

While it may seem harmless, human food can be seriously harmful for your dog. Your four-legged friends just can’t process that same foods that we can. What may seem like a normal snack to us can be severely damaging to your pet. Keep your pooch happy and healthy by knowing what food should and shouldn’t be a part of their diet. It may sound simple, but it is vital when you own an animal.

We all love our pets, so let’s keep them healthy. Most vets recommend keeping human food away from your pets. Our bodies just aren’t built the same. Think about it. Human bodies have adjusted overtime to process preservatives and other chemicals found in our food. Dogs haven’t adjusted to these chemicals as they aren’t found in most dog food.

Just like humans, dogs can also have allergic reactions. It only takes one table scrap to learn if you pet has one. Avoid giving your pet any leftovers of your food when you’re eating. By establishing this rule in your household, you can eliminate any unknown risk to your pet. Now, that makes for a happy family. Wondering what types of food could be toxic to your dog? Here are a few foods that your dog should never eat.

1. Grapes

Grapes may seem like a healthy snack to us, however, they can cause internal distress to your dog. Just a few grapes can cause kidney failure. Make sure to keep grapes out of your pooch’s reach in order to prevent any unnecessary illness.

2. Chewing Gum

Several types of chewing gum contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol. This chemical allows for insulin to be released into the bloodstream, which isn’t good for most dogs. Too much insulin can cause blood sugar levels to drop, which leads to one unhappy pup. Harmful side effects can include seizures, vomiting, and even liver failure.

3. Coffee

Coffee as well as coffee-based products contain a chemical called methylxanthines. When ingested by your canine, it can cause dehydration, vomiting, and if eaten in excess, death. Coffee products are a definite no-no for your pet.

4. Avocados

Guacamole is absolutely a tasty treat, but not for your pups. Avocados contain a substance called persin, which is toxic to dogs in large amounts. Keep any avocados away from your dogs for good measure.

5. Chicken Bones

Don’t give your dog a chicken bone. Raw bones are known to splinter, which can cause a blockage in your dog’s throat and stomach. Ouch! Keep your dog pain-free by throwing away any bones.

6. Macadamia Nuts

Foods with macadamia nuts can lead to a lot of nasty problems for your pooch such a muscle weakness and vomiting. The signs usually show up in about twelve hours, and can worsen as time goes on.

7. Onions

Eating onions in any form can lead to onion poisoning in your pet. Onion poisoning causes the breakdown of red blood cells, weight loss, and depression.

8. Raw Meat

Even though wild dogs look cool eating raw meat in the movies, it may not be so good for your house pet. Raw meat can contain loads of bacteria that can cause vomiting and other stomach issues for your dog. If you want to feed your pet any scraps of meat, make sure to cook it thoroughly.

9. Yeast Dough

Uncooked yeast dough is absolutely off limits for animals. Dough rises when heated, so it’ll do the same in your dog’s tummy. Avoid this nasty side effect by keeping any dough away from your pet.


Photo by LuAnn Snawder Photography