EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR SPECIES

If you think there might be something wrong with your dog CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.

No doubt about it, people love their dogs. Everyone talks to their dog, some put clothes on their dog, and, unfortunately, many share their food with their dog. Sometimes people think they are giving their dog a treat, and sometimes they are careless about disposing of garbage. What they don't realize is that some foods can make a dog sick.

Garbage

Moldy or Spoiled Food. Many dogs find it hard to resist the aroma and taste of garbage. However, dogs can get food poisoning when the trash contains moldy or spoiled food. In addition, some molds can cause tremors in dogs.

Fatty Foods

Fatty Foods. Fats are a special favorite of dogs, and a major reason that they get into the garbage. They may get them as treats, because they obviously enjoy them, or they may get them in table scraps and leftovers. However, fatty foods can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Any dog can develop pancreatitis, but it is most common in miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers. A dog with pancreatitis generally has an acute onset of vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. Abdominal pain may cause the dog to stand with an arched back. An affected dog may become sick suddenly, and often requires intravenous fluids and antibiotics.

Dairy Products

Dairy Products. Some dairy products are Fatty Foods. In addition, dogs are unable to digest the lactose in dairy products. The lactose irritates their digestive system, causing gas and sometimes diarrhea.

Caffeine

Chocolate - Chocolate is a Fatty Food. It also contains two stimulants, caffeine and theobromine. The darker the chocolate, the more of these stimulants it contains. If a dog has eaten too much chocolate, it may develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, a rapid heart rate, and seizures.

Coffee - Coffee grounds (and coffe beans) have high levels of the stimulant caffeine. Similar in effect to chocolate, a dog that has eaten too much coffee grounds (or coffee beans) may develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, rapid heart rate, and seizures.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol - Dogs and alcohol don't mix. Although effects in dogs and people are similar, it takes less alcohol to affect a dog. When a dog is ‘under the influence’, symptoms may include the odor of alcohol on the dog's breath, staggering, excitement, lethargy, increased urination, and a slowed respiratory rate.

Hops - Hops, a plant used to flavor beer, should be kept away from dogs. Some breeds, including Greyhounds, are more sensitive to hops. Small amounts of hops can be deadly to dogs, even after the hops have been used in brewing. Symptoms include muscular rigidity and fever.

Fruit

Apples and Stone Fruits (Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums) - The leaves, stems, seeds and leaves of these fruits contain a chemical similar to cyanide. A dog that has eaten them may show symptoms including dilated pupils and difficulty breathing.

Avocados - The leaves, bark, fruit and seeds of avocados contain a chemical called ‘persin’. It can cause fluid to build up in the chest and abdomen of a dog, causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing and abdominal swelling.

Grapes and Raisins - A dog that has eaten too many grapes or raisins often vomits a few hours later, but it may not end there. Symptoms of kidney failure may develop after several days.

Vegetables

Onions and Garlic - Dogs are unable to digest onions and garlic, and may show symptoms like vomiting, gas or diarrhea. In addition, onions and garlic contain a chemical that can cause a dog's red blood cells to break down, resulting in anemia after a few days. There is more of this chemical in onions than in garlic, and it is not affected by processing. Feeding human baby food to puppies can make them sick if it contains onion powder. Pills sold for ‘natural’ flea control contain only a small amount of garlic and are safe when used as directed, but can be dangerous if a lot are taken at once.

Nuts

Macadamia Nuts - A dog that has eaten macadamia nuts may show symptoms like vomiting, weakness, stiffness, tremors and fever. Abdominal pain may cause the dog to stand with an arched back. The symptoms generally clear up within a day.

Ingredients for Baking

Baking Powder and Baking Soda - Large amounts of baking soda or baking powder can affect electrolyte levels (lowering potassium and calcium, and/or increased sodium). Symptoms include muscle spasms and congestive heart failure.

Nutmeg - There is a chemical in nutmeg that can affect the nervous system, causing tremors or even seizures.

Xylitol - Some sugar-free products like chewing gum and candy are made with Xylitol, and can cause a sudden drop in a dog's blood sugar. Symptoms including lethargy, weakness, loss of coordination and seizures can begin in about 30 minutes and last for hours.

Yeast Dough - If a dog eats yeast dough, the dough continues to rise, sometimes stretching the dog's stomach. The yeast also produces alcohol. Symptoms include vomiting and lethargy. Abdominal pain may cause the dog to stand with an arched back.

If you think there might be something wrong with your dog CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.

LINKS
www.lyndenanimalclinic.com
ww.dog-health-care-information.com