Vet in Austin

Foods Dogs Should Avoid

There are several foods dogs should avoid. Provided here is a short list of some of the foods that your dog should avoid. For a complete list, contact your Vet in Austin.

Chocolate

Chocolate is one food that dogs should avoid. Chocolate is not healthy for animals, although they enjoy the taste just as much as most people. If chocolate is left within reach of animals, don’t be surprised if they consume it. Many pet owners have reached for their chocolate bar only to find the wrapper ripped open, the insides cleaned out, and chocolate on their pet’s nose.

Dogs (and cats) don’t have the enzymes needed to break down chocolate like humans do. Chocolate may be excreted from animals in the form of diarrhea or vomit. Excessive chocolate could even lead to the animal’s death.

Fatty Foods

Fatty foods are also not processed well by dogs’ bodies. Fatty foods are difficult for dogs to digest and can easily overtax the pancreas. This overtaxing could lead to pancreatitis, a very unhealthy situation for any dog. Pancreatitis can even lead to death for the animal.

Potatoes

Another “food dogs should avoid” are potatoes. Potatoes have caused poisoning among humans and dogs. While very rare, these poisoning do occur and protecting your dog from this possibility it a simple task. Simply don’t leave onions within reach of your dog. Solanine is a toxin that isn’t easily absorbed by dogs and is found in green sprouts and green potato skins. However, cooked, mashed potatoes with the skin removed are a very healthy food for dogs.

Artificial Sweeteners, Such as Those Found in Candy

Artificial sweeteners, such as those found in candy can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar in dogs. Similar to a sudden drop on blood sugar in humans, this can cause depression in the dog, as well as a lack of coordination and even seizures.

The negative effects for dogs of consuming artificial sweetener set in very quickly, even within just 30 minutes of consumption. If your dog consumes any type of artificial sweetener, contact your Vet in Austin immediately.

To find out the full range of foods that can harm your dog, contact your Vet in Austin.