Dogs are man’s best friend, right? So why would you give your friend something that is bad for them? You wouldn’t do it if you knew about it, so check out these “people” foods that you should never feed your dog. There are plenty of good pet foods out there, so why put their health in jeopardy by feeding them foods that can cause problems? Okay, so you know about chocolate, onions, and caffeine. Look at these other offenders:
- Raw eggs – even though you may think this is a treat for your dog, it won’t be in the long run. Salmonella poisoning can result from this food.
- Mushrooms growing wild – when you walk your dog, be sure they do not eat raw mushrooms. If you see any in your yard, pull them up immediately.
- Chicken bones – these bones can splinter and cause damage to your dog’s digestive track any place along the way to the stomach and even during elimination. Keep your trash can covered to prevent Fido from exploring and getting one stuck in his throat, stomach, or colon.
- Raw fish – there are so many parasites in raw fish that your dog could end up with hazardous parasites in his stomach.
- Fried foods of any kind (including french fries) – the grease and starch in fried foods can actually promote cancer cells in your dog!
- Corn or corn meal – if you feed this to your dog, it can lead to skin problems because corn is so hard to digest and because many dogs are actually allergic to it. Even dog food listing corn as the main ingredient could cause severe itching and dermatitis.
- Bet you didn’t know this one: Nutmeg. If you think giving your dog a bowl of eggnog at Christmas is okay, think again. Not only are dairy products loaded with bacteria harmful to dogs, but nutmeg can actually make your dog have a seizure!
If you love your dog(s) as much as I do, you will keep an eye on them. Every time you see or hear them chewing on something you need to investigate it. Talk to neighbors and their kids and ask them to be sure not to feed your dog or throw “treats” over the fence. A dog is only as safe and healthy as his owner keeps him. It’s up to you to raise your dog with TLC and an eye on nutrition.
