12 Things Your Dog Should Never Eat
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 5:13AM
Last Thursday's post covered four foods that are fine for dogs to eat. Today’s post is a more extensive list of foods; ones that dogs shouldn’t eat. Each of these can have harmful effects on a dog’s health, ranging from allergic reactions to vomiting, diarrhea or even death. Be on the safe side and restrict your dog’s access to these foods - he or she will thank you!
- Alcohol, including beer, wine and liquor
- Avocados
- Caffeine, such as tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate and colas
- Dairy products
- Grapes and raisins
- Macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts
- Meat fat or bones
- Onions and garlic, raw, cooked, dehydrated and powdered
- Pantry staples such as baking powder, baking soda and nutmeg
- Fruits with pits, such as peaches and plums
- Raw eggs, meat and fish
- Salty or sugary food and drinks
Also be aware of anything containing the sweetener xylitol, such as candy, gum, toothpaste and baked goods, as well as human medications, especially acetaminophen and ibuprofen - all can have serious adverse affects on your dog’s health.
In case your dog does eat any of the above, it’s a good idea to always have on hand the number of your vet, an emergency clinic and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435). If you think your dog has consumed something toxic, call for emergency help at once.
Visit the Pets & Pet Care center on my site for more tips on raising a healthy companion animal.
Reader Comments (16)
Don't dogs eat meat in the wild? I don't get it.
Increasing numbers of people are feeding their dogs and cats a diet based on raw meat. Like the previous commenter said, it's their natural diet. Result: some extremely happy, healthy dogs and cats - better coats, more energy and no more digestive problems.
We've been feeding our 3 yr old Bullmastiff raw meat -- chicken necks, venison, bison, and beef -- for about a year. Our vet said "not sure what you're doing differently, and your dog has never looked better."
Not one of your best posts Dr. Weil.
I'm definitely intrigued. Are there explanations for these? I would think that with dogs being from the wolf family that eating raw meat would be ok for them?!?!
Aren't raw beef marrow bones good for a dog? I understand that cooked bones are not since they can splinter and cause choking or blockages. But raw bones are said to be good - they don't splinter and can be an excellent way to clean a dog's teeth.
Oh my goodness. I knew you shouldn't feed a dog chocolate, but I had no idea there was such a long list of stuff they shouldn't have! Thanks for the great info, as usual =)
I give my dog a raw bone every week and he is a very healthy (and happy) boy. I understand the other items, but not the raw meat. Obviously one has to be careful that it is a good quality meat. This information is a huge contradiction to what my own highly respected vet has ok'd. Not buying into this one Dr. Weil!
I think the raw meat statement is more about the diseases floating around out there. The meat you buy in a store is processed and more likely to contain contaminates like e. coli and salmonella. A wolf hunting in the wild is less likely to encounter such diseases (Ever notice how wild animals hunt and kill? They don't feast on the dying animals). I could be very off the point, but this is my interpretation.
I would love to know the explanation on some of these items. Some are obvious, like chocolate and sugar drinks, but like the other posters, I'd like to know why meat or meat bones is no good. Cooked bones and chicken bones splinter, so I get that, but why not?
Why avocados? Dairy? Grapes? Onions? A short explanation why would be helpful and informative.
I fed my large dogs raw meat containing raw garlic, vitamins and oatmeal, they lived till they were into their 15th year. They were healthier than ever and their coats looked so much better. Had I started that diet much earlier in life I think they could have lived longer. Same thing with my cats; they lived until they were 22 only their last year did their health decline. When they were eating dry food, their fur was dull and had dandruff. Once I changed their diet, the dandruff disappeared and the shine came back. Read Dr. Pitcairns Natural Health Care for Cats and Dogs.
I agree with the other posters, my dog had HORRENDOUS hot spots and some other issues which the raw diet absolutely took away. His teeth will never need dental. The Germans (I imported my GSD from Germany) have been feeding raw for generations with benefits far out-weighing any negatives. I too am disappointed with your post Dr. Weil. Saying that raw diet should not be given is like the doctors saying "just" take drugs for your medical problems and don't pay attention to the diet for health.
... or maybe it's like saying cows shouldn't eat raw grass?
Garlic powder is sold in pet stores and I have wondered for a while about it as it wards off pests. Maybe a little, but not too much, but never - hard to believe. I did not know or remember about avocados and have no idea why. Raw meat and eggs while I do not feed them such, still seem a viable option coming from safe sources. While there are plenty of reasons not to eat dairy, there are also some good reasons to add some to a diet and I know various dogs that seem to thrive on it. I sure would hate to deprive my girl of licking out the containers, a favorite pastime. I appreciate your giving us your thoughts on how to feed our canine friends healthfully, not sure I buy all of it.
Yeah, not the best post. I feed our dog raw meat and eggs, and his coat is beautiful. So many high end pet stores around Chicago are selling raw and "organic" pet food.
Our vet recommended green vegetables, specifically green beans, which have been great for weight control as our dog gets older.
I'm somewhat disappointed with this post. A explanation of each would be very helpful.
Thank you so much for this post! I knew that some of these foods were bad for dogs, but I did not know about grapes, dairy, or macadamia nuts!
I'm befuddled by this post, too. I don't feed my dog a raw diet, but I know it's advocated by many and that some vets also support it. However, I'm most stumped by "dairy products." I feed my allergic dog a home-cooked diet, that often includes cottage cheese. It's a great protein source that's also endorsed by Dr. Richard Pitcairn, an authority on animal health and diet. I have never seen dairy products labeled as dangerous for dogs. If there's a basis for recommending that one "never" feed a dog dairy, some explanation and/or qualification is definitely warranted! Garlic is also contestable. Some say it's potentially harmful, while others say its beneficial. Again, Dr. Pitcairn recommends it.