Ten treats you love that could affect your dogs happy health
With a tilted head, slightly uplifted ears, and huge, adorable eyes, that face creates all the right emotions in you! Yes, your dog is looking at you and begging for a piece of whatever you are eating. But wait before you give in to that look. What you are eating, and loving, may be dangerous for your pet.
Although all pets are susceptible to these hazards, dogs are the most likely to be affected. This is because they are omnivorous and eat most foods. Many of them will continue eating as long as there is food available. Here is a list of 10 treats that could make your pet sick and land them in the hospital.
1. Chocolate
Humans and dogs love chocolate. Unfortunately, it contains theobromine and caffeine, two very toxic substances for dogs. Chocolate toxicosis depends on the quantity eaten, the type of chocolate, and the individual animal’s sensitivity to the harmful substances. As little as 60 g of milk chocolate per kilogram body weight can be lethal to dogs. Signs start within 12 hours after they have eaten the chocolate. The first symptoms are restlessness and drinking a lot of water, followed by vomiting and diarrhoea. These animals have very fast and irregular heartbeats with rapid breathing. Dogs may also develop incoordination and can experience seizures.
2. Grapes and Raisins
The sweet taste of grapes and raisins makes them attractive to dogs. Yet, this is another human food with potentially lethal consequences for our pets. Although dogs are usually affected, grape toxicosis is prevalent in cats. The exact toxic substance is still unknown, but it causes kidney failure. Ingesting as little as 30 g of grapes or 10 g of raisins per kilogramme body weight can cause symptoms and death in dogs.
3. Avocado
This treat is not as dangerous to dogs as it is to many other species. Avocado tree leaves are the most poisonous, but the stems, fruit and seeds can cause toxicity in susceptible animals. It’s especially dangerous for exotic pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and fish. Horses, goats and sheep are also susceptible. It affects the heart muscle and mammary glands.
4. Garlic, onions, chives and leeks
These vegetables are not really treats, but they are used in the flavouring of food and sometimes given to pets as part of “left-over” treats. These plants have oxidants that cause the breakdown of red blood cells and can lead to life-threatening anaemia. Cats are more sensitive to this than dogs, and the sensitivity of individual animals also differs. Garlic is more toxic than onions, and dehydrated concentrated flakes and soups are the most dangerous products.
5. Macadamia nuts
Nuts are high in fats, and this makes it delectable treats. Macadamia nut toxicosis has been reported in dogs. They can become ill within 12 hours after eating macadamia nuts. Typical symptoms include muscle weakness, vomiting, depression, and increased body temperature. Fortunately, this is usually a self-limiting condition, with dogs recovering within two days.
6. Chicken wings
If dogs could vote, this would probably be one of their favourite treats. Unfortunately, there are hidden dangers in this treat. They’re often flavoured with onion and garlic, which, as we have seen, can be very dangerous to dogs and cats. Cooked chicken bones also tend to break into smaller pieces that are not fully digested and can ultimately lead to severe constipation that requires veterinary intervention.
7. Bones
No self-respecting dog will refuse a bone from his owner’s plate. But as with chicken wings, bones can cause serious problems. One of the biggest problems is dogs swallowing the entire bone, or large pieces of bone. Bones can get stuck anywhere from the throat to the rectum. This can lead to expensive surgery and even to the death of these animals. Please resist the temptation to give this treat to your dog.
8. Biscuits and treats containing xylitol
Xylitol has become one of the most prominent sugar substitutes in the human diet industry and is used in many products. It causes toxicosis in dogs through two different mechanisms. The most common effect is a decrease in the blood sugar level, which can be fatal. It can also cause liver failure in dogs, although it’s unclear how that occurs. Please keep xylitol and any products containing xylitol far away from your pets.
9 Raw bread dough
Who doesn’t love a bit of raw bread dough? But it can cause serious complications in dogs. The yeasts in the dough seem to thrive in dog stomachs, causing the dough to expand rapidly. This can compromise the blood supply to the stomach and may cause breathing difficulties for the dog. And as unlikely as this may sound, it could potentially cause death.
10. Ice Cream
Though Ice cream is a delicious and refreshing treat it can contain a lot of sugar which can cause discomfort to your best friend. Ice cream is also best to avoid because its lactose content may cause issues such as gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea or vomiting and these are bound to make your dog very uncomfortable.
At Bobtail, we’re all about keeping our South African dogs strong! That’s why we ensure that every bite of our dog food is full of good stuff. We also understand that accidents can happen. That’s why we’ve included accidental benefit at no cost to you in every bag of Bobtail Dog Food to help your doggo get back to their full strength after an emergency.
Follow this link for more information and to sign up for our accident pet benefit at no extra cost.