That's Not for You: 4 Things Your Dog Shouldn't Eat
When you have a dog in the family, you need to watch what it eats. Dogs are notorious for eating anything that smells even remotely like food. Between digging through the trash, sniffing around the yard, and begging for scraps off your plate, your dog probably comes in contact with a variety of foods. Unfortunately, consuming certain foods can lead to some serious health issues for your dog. If you're like most people, you might not realize how many foods and beverages can be harmful to your dog. Here are four items that you should keep away from your dog.
Avoid Popcorn
If you eat popcorn at home, you might be tempted to slip a few kernels to your dog. But popcorn isn't a safe snack for your dog to be eating. First, the unpopped kernels can break your dog's teeth, leading to serious dental and diet problems. Second, if your dog doesn't swallow properly, the popcorn can get stuck in its throat, which can be a choking hazard. Finally, the added butter and salt can lead to excess pounds and elevated blood pressure, which can both be serious health issues for your dog. Keep your dog healthy by keeping it out of your popcorn.
Keep Avocado Skins and Pits Away
If you eat avocados, you should know that the flesh of the avocado is perfectly safe for your dog to eat. However, make sure your dog never tries to eat a whole avocado (or the skin and pit—the parts you threw away). First, the skin can be difficult to chew, which can lead to bowel obstructions and even choking hazards. Second, the pits can also pose a choking risk since they can get stuck in the throat. Not only that, but even if your dog is able to swallow the pit, it can cause a serious blockage. For maximum protection, always keep the avocado skins and pits away from your dog.
Barricade the Tomato Plants
If you have a vegetable garden in your yard, you need to keep your dog away from the tomato plants. Your dog may enjoy eating the tomatoes, but the tomato plants can be deadly if eaten. The solanin contained in tomato plants can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, confusion, and extreme muscle weakness. To protect your dog, always keep a fence up around your tomato plants.
Watch Out for the Energy Drinks
If your dog has a habit of sneaking a few sips from whatever you're drinking, you'll want to keep your energy drinks up and away. Those energy drinks contain significant levels of caffeine, which can pose serious risks to your dog. High concentrations of caffeine can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and an accelerated heart rate. To avoid those health risks, keep the energy drinks away from your dog.
Your dog depends on you to keep it safe. The information provided here will help you keep harmful substances away from your dog. If your dog does happen to ingest any of the items on this list, be sure to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
For more information on this topic, contact clinics like Animal Emergency Clinic.