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There are certain foods that you should not feed your dog under any occasion. While individual cases will vary based on breed, weight, and other factors — in general this list of foods dogs can’t eat applies to all dogs and should be carefully followed to avoid accidents. Take note and print out our helpful infographic to keep on-hand in your kitchen so you know what food dogs can’t eat.
Just Because Humans Like it, Doesn’t Mean Dogs Will
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Please note that while we’re attempting to add every food we can find that is potentially unsafe for dogs, there are certain foods that we may miss, so don’t consider a food safe to feed to our dog just because it’s not on this list of foods bad for dogs. Do your research if you are uncertain and let us know by adding a comment below with your new information so that we can keep this list of food bad for dogs updated. If you are worried about something your pet consumed, please call your vet promptly.
List of Foods Not to Feed Your Dog
Here’s an alphabetized list of foods that are unsafe and unfit for canine consumption, many of which are toxic for dogs. We’ll be updating it and adding toxic foods for dogs as we learn more. The ones in red italics are especially dangerous and often poisonous for canines.
And be sure to look below this list for a helpful and sharable infographic to print out and keep on your fridge so you know what things dogs can’t eat. Without further ado, our list of what can’t dogs eat.
Alcohol – I’m sure you’ve heard of the birthday parties where the dog accidentally gets into some of the spilled keg beer, and then gets all silly to the amusement of the crowd. While it may be funny to you, it’s not funny to your dog. Alcohol can cause not only intoxication, lack of coordination, poor breathing, and abnormal acidity, but potentially even coma and/or death.
Apple Seeds – The casing of apple seeds are toxic to a dog as they contain a natural chemical (amygdlin) that releases cyanide when digested. This is really only an issue if a large amount was eaten and the seed were chewed up by the dog, causing it to enter its blood stream. But to play it safe, be sure to core and seed apples before you feed them to your dog.
Avocado – Avocados contain Persin, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart congestion.
Baby Food – Baby food by itself isn’t terrible, just make sure it doesn’t contain any onion powder. Baby food also doesn’t contain all the nutrients a dog relies on for a healthy, well maintained diet.
Cooked Bones – When it comes to bones, the danger is that cooked bones can easily splinter when chewed by your dog. Raw (uncooked) bones, however, are appropriate and good for both your dog’s nutritional and teeth.
Candy and Chewing Gum – Not only does candy contain sugar, but it often contains Xylitol, which can lead to the over-release of insulin, kidney failure, and worse.
Cat Food – Not that they would want this anyway, but cat food contains proteins and fats that are targeted at the diet of a cat, not a dog. The protein and fat levels in cat food are too high for your dog, and not healthy.
Chocolate – You’ve probably heard this before, but chocolate is a definite no no for your pup. And it’s not just about caffeine, which is enough to harm your dog by itself, but theobromine and theophylline, which can be toxic, cause panting, vomiting, and diarrhea, and damage your dog’s heart and nervous systems.
Citrus Oil Extracts – Can cause vomiting.
Coffee – Not sure why you would give your dog coffee, but pretty much the same applies here as to chocolate. This is essentially poison for your dog if ingested.
Corn on the Cob– This is a sure way to get your dog’s intestine blocked. The corn is digested, but the cob gets lodged in the small intestine, and if it’s not removed surgically, can prove fatal to your dog. Additionally, too much corn kernels can upset the digestive tract as well so be cautious to not feed too much.
Fat Trimmings – Can cause pancreatitis.
Fish – The primary fish that you need to be careful about are salmon and trout. Raw salmon can be fatal to dogs if the fish is infected with a certain parasite, Nanophyetus salmincola. The parasite itself isn’t dangerous to dogs, but is often infected with a bacteria called Neorickettsia helminthoeca, which in many cases is fatal to dogs if not treated properly. If diagnosis occurs early on, the dog has a great chance of recovering. Cooked salmon is fine as it kills the parasite.
Garlic – While garlic can be okay for dogs in very small amounts (and even beneficial for flea treatment), larger amounts can be risky. Garlic is related to onions which is toxic for dogs so it may be best to just avoid it.
Grapes and Raisins – This is one that lots of dog owners are unaware of. Grapes contain a toxin that can cause severe liver damage and kidney failure. We’ve heard stories of dogs dying from only a handful of grapes so do not feed your pup this toxic food.
Hops – An ingredient in beer that can be toxic to your dog. The consumption of hops by your dog can cause panting, an increased heart rate, fever, seizures, and even death.
Human Vitamins – Some human vitamins are okay to use, but the key is comparing the ingredients (all of them – active and inactive) to the vitamins your vet subscribes for your dog (often you can get the human equivalent for much less money). Make sure there’s no iron – iron can damage the digestive system lining, and prove poisonous for the liver and kidneys.
Liver – In small amounts, liver is great but avoid feeding too much liver to your dog. Liver contains quite a bit of Vitamin A, which can adversely affect your pup’s muscles and bones.
Macadamia Nuts – These contain a toxin that can inhibit locomotory activities, resulting in weakness, panting, swollen limbs, and tremors as well as possible damage to your dog’s digestive, nervous, and muscle systems.
Marijuana – Not that you would pass the bong to your dog, but if you do, you should know that marijuana can adversely affect your pup’s nervous system and heart rate, and induce vomiting. Read more about Dogs and Marijuana.
Milk and Dairy Products – While small doses aren’t going to kill your dog, you could get some smelly farts and some nasty cases of diarrhea. Why? Dogs are lactose intolerant (as are an increasing number of humans today), and don’t have enough of the lactase enzyme to properly digest dairy foods. If you really need to give them dairy, look into lactose-free dairy products.
Mushrooms – Just as the wrong mushroom can be fatal to humans, the same applies to dogs. Don’t mess with them.
Onions and Chives – No matter what form they’re in (dry, raw, cooked, powder, within other foods), onions are some of the absolute worst foods you could possibly give your pup (it’s poisonous for dogs, and its even worse for cats). They contain disulfides and sulfoxides (thiosulphate), both of which can cause anemia and damage red blood cells.
Persimmons, Peaches and Plums – Peach pits are not only a choke hazard they contain amygdalin, a cyanide and sugar compound that degrades into hydrogen cyanide (HCN) when metabolized. Pear seeds also contain trace amount of arsenic and are dangerous. So if you live in an area that is home to persimmon, peach, or plum trees, look out. Persimmon seeds and peach and plum pits can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis. You’ll want to make sure there aren’t any wild persimmon or other fruit trees that produce seeds growing in your backyard. If you notice your dog pooping all over the place, and see a bunch of seeds or pits in their waste, you’ll need to break out the saw and chop down some trees.
Rhubarb and Tomato Leaves – These contain oxalates, which can adversely affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.
Raw Fish – Another vitamin B (Thiamine) deficiency can result from the regular consumption of raw fish. Loss of appetite will be common, followed by seizures, and in rare instances, death.
Salt – Just like salt isn’t the healthiest thing for humans, it’s even less healthy for dogs. Too much of it can lead to an imbalance in electrolyte levels, dehydration and potentially diarrhea.
Spices containing Capsaicin – Capsaicin, found in chili powder, paprika, and just about any other pepper (bell, chili, etc.), is an irritant for mammals of all shape and size.
String – While not a food itself, foods can often contain or be similar to string (ie. meat you’ve wrapped for the oven). If your dog were to eat a string, it could get stuck in their digestive tract and cause complications.
Sugar – This applies to any food containing sugar. Make sure you check the ingredient label for human foods – corn syrup (which is a less expensive form of sugar or glucose) is found in just about everything these days. Too much sugar for your pup can lead to dental issues, obesity, and even diabetes.
Tobacco – A major toxic hazard for dogs (and humans). The effects nicotine has on dogs are far worse than on humans. Nicotine can damage your pup’s digestive and nervous systems, increase their heart rate, make them pass out, and ultimately result in death.
Xylitol – A sugar alcohol found in gum, candies, baked goods, and other sugar-substituted items, Xylitol, while causing no apparent harm to humans, is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, even death for your pup.
Yeast (on its own or in dough) – Just like yeast rises in bread, it will also expand and rise within your pup’s tummy. Make sure they don’t get any. While mild cases will cause gas, lots of farting, and discomfort – too much of it could rupture their stomach and intestines.
Infographic: Foods that Are Toxic for Dogs
Keep These Out of Your Dog’s Reach as Well
While these don’t fall in a particular category above, you’ll want to avoid them as well:
Old Food – You don’t like old and moldy food, so what makes you think your dog will? The bacteria in spoiled food contains all sorts of toxins that can be damaging to your dog’s health. Feed them the freshest and best, dog-approved food only!
Leftovers – I know it’s difficult to keep your dog from feasting on your dinner left overs after they’ve had to sit there and watch you eat it all in front of them. But the fact is that if you feed them leftovers regularly they won’t be getting a proper diet. If you do give them table scraps, make sure to take out any bones and trim down the fat.
Check the Ingredients – Bottom line is be sure to know what’s in the food you’re giving your dog. The items from the list above should definitely not be on there. You’d be surprised at how many foods contain sugar and caffeine, that you wouldn’t expect to without first checking the ingredient list.
Human Snacks – Chips can contain garlic and onion powder, cookies may contain raisins, chocolate or macadamia nuts, etc. Bottom line – there’s a reason there’s food and treats made especially for dogs.
When in Doubt, Ask a Vet
If your dog is acting strangely, or experiencing even minor symptoms including weakness, lack of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. and you think he or she may have consumed something they shouldn’t have, seek a veterinarian’s attention immediately. If you wait too long, your dog might not make it.
Hold up! Can dogs eat hot dogs? Before your pup eats that hotdog, take the proactive step of getting pet insurance. That way if an accidental treat becomes a medical emergency, your dog (and your wallet) will be better protected. Check out this video to get more detail about the types of pet insurance and what to consider when purchasing.
You can also visit the ASPCA website for the most up-to-date details on safe foods for your dog.
Keep Your Dog on a Healthy Diet
Choosing to raise a dog is a big responsibility. Just as with a child, you’ve welcomed another living being into your household and family. We probably don’t have to tell you to take care of your dog, but what people often don’t realize is that as similar as the two can be, they also have very different needs when it comes to food. Ask your veterinarian what kind of food might be best for your particular dog breed as well as age and any special needs. That way you know what dogs can’t eat and you’re less likely to have any issues.
What If You Cannot Reach Your Veterinarian?
In an emergency when your veterinarian cannot be reached you should contact your local animal emergency clinic or call the animal poison hotline at 888-232-8870. You can also try the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. Depending on the nature of the item ingested the animal poison hotline or your veterinarian may induce vomiting to regurgitate the item that has been ingested. If the item is something that is likely to cause further damage to your dog on the way back up, vomiting will not be induced and other methods of helping your dog will be discussed such as having your dog ingest an item which will bind to the offending food and neutralize it or surgery to remove the item that is causing your dog’s problems.
Safe Human Foods for Dogs
There are human foods that are permissible to feed to your dog; however, even these foods should be kept to a minimum. Things that you can feed to your dog without worrying about side effects include:
Lean Meat – Lean meat includes meat without bones that has had excessive fat removed. If feeding chicken and turkey, the skin should also be removed as it can be a source of fat. Lean meat includes the white meat from chicken or turkey and provides a tasty treat for your dog as well as a good source of protein. Both raw and cooked, lean meat is great source of nutrients and protein for your pup.
Eggs – The most obvious problem here is salmonella, but Raw diet enthusiasts tout the power of a raw egg in your dog’s diet. While the white contains the Avidin enzyme, which inhibits the absorption of vitamin B (Biotin), the yolk contains more than enough Biotin to even out the enzyme. So, when fed raw and whole, or cooked and whole, eggs are an excellent source of protein and a host of vitamins for your pup.
Fruits – Not including the fruits listed above, dogs can safely enjoy bananas, apple slices, strawberries, blueberries and watermelon. The seeds should be removed from these fruits or in the case of watermelon it should be a seedless melon as most fruit seeds contain a trace amount of arsenic which is poisonous (it’s a small amount but why risk it?). Fresh fruits are a great treat to assist in training your dog and can also provide your dog with a great way to cool down on a hot summer day!
Vegetables – Certain vegetables like carrots, green beans, cucumber slices or zucchini slices all make great treats for your dog. It’s a good idea to replace commercial dog treats with baby carrots if you are looking to slim your dog down a little bit. Vegetables make great low-calorie snacks and good training tools as well. But stay away from canned and pickled vegetables as they contain too much salt.
Baked Potatoes – A plain baked potato is okay to feed your dog but honestly it is not something that should be done frequently and should never include any toppings. A few slices of cooked baked potato can make a great treat for a patient dog at a meal time though.
White Rice and Pasta – White rice and pasta are frequently referred to as a potential meal for a dog with an upset stomach. Generally boiled white chicken and white rice are used to help firm up stools as well as nourish a dog that is having trouble getting any nutrition from food as a result of illness.
While there are certainly some human foods that are safe to feed your dog there are many which are unsafe and potentially poisonous when ingested by your dog. As a general rule of thumb, it is far better to be safe than sorry so avoid feeding your dog any human food unless recommended by your vet. Dogs that are not given human food or table scraps are generally better behaved than dogs who do receive people food anyway, they do not beg because they know they won’t receive any scraps and they also tend to drool less and bother visitors to your home less because they understand that human food is for humans and not for them.
Where Did We Get This Information From?
The information for this article was found from numerous websites including the ASPCA, PetMD and sources linked in this article. This article has been around since 2008 and has been evolving through audits and our comment section. When our readers mention a food item to us we research and update our content accordingly. We welcome any questions or additions to this article through our comment section.
Disclaimer: Information published on this website is intended for reference use only. The only clear option for ensuring your pet’s health is to feed commercial grade dog foods and treats only. Feeding human foods of any sort carries some degree of risk and is not under the control of this website.
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469 Comments on "What Foods Are Toxic for Dogs"
Veterans don’t care about your dogs when u live a frist nation reserve. Because I know because my frist dog passway and the vet did not want to come out , to see what was wrong with my dog
Are whole peppercorns toxic to dogs? I have a 6 month old 70 lbs Doberman that might have eaten a small amount of them. (Maybe 20 or so)
i feed my dog pizza pepperoni and chicken and she does not get sick some people say pizza will hurt dogs is that true
very informative
my dog ate an anole are they poisionist?
Went to the Vet for Gizmos checkup. Husband was furious because he had eaten about 4 MM’s. Told the Vet they were milk chocolate, Vet told husband he would have to eat more then 4 of them to get sick. Just stay away from the Dark Chocolate. That is the one that can really hurt him. Coffee? He loves it. I learned not to leave it on the coffee table anymore when I leave the room because when I come back it’s all gone. Gizmo is fine, he never got sick, no diarrhea(msp), no pant, nothing. He is still the same Gizmo and healthy.
Glad to hear Gizmo is ok. As your vet said, it depends on the amount of coffee/chocolate ingested. Sounds like Gizmo didn’t ingest enough of either to become ill. Happy to hear he is doing well and thank you for sharing your experience with us!
Our 79 pound dog is VERY sick with 105.5 temperature. Earliest vet appt later this afternoon. Looking back on the last few days. We had our lawn sprayed for weeds Thursday. Other than her walking to the lawn to do her duty, she wasnt in it much. Same with Friday. Saturday and Sunday she laid in the lawn while we worked in the yard, most of the day. Same with Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Monday we smoked a roast on the grill, we gave her pieces from the table. Yesterday and today she has been lethargic, Monday when we ran an errand, she peed on the floor while we were gone and NEVER does that. Any ideas?
Find an emergency vet clinic! Dogs don’t just get a cold they can shake off. Take the dog to a vet, any vet, as soon as possible. I would not wait until afternoon.
She could have reacted to the roast, but I would bet it is the lawn chemicals.
Give your dog a bath, the chemicals are probably on her fur. When she cleans herself (because what dog is not constantly licking), she ingests the weed killing chemicals.
Dogs absorb chemicals through the pads of their feet. Your dog probably also absorbed the weed-killing chemicals. Consider pulling the weeds yourself and not using chemicals in your back yard. If you read the directions of most weed killers, they instruct things like using masks, gloves, washing your clothes and showering after spraying.
You can also try watering the lawn. This will dilute the chemicals from the weed killer. You should probably find out what chemicals were in the weed killer and research how long it will take them to dissipate before it is safe for anyone to be on the lawn. Keep everyone away from the lawn until the weed killer is gone. It is probably on your shoes and therefore all over the floor of your house at this point. It depends on how extreme you want to go. You can wash shoes, shampoo rugs, wash hardwoods and tile.
Speaking of which, if you have hard floors in your house (wood or tile), many floor cleaners have been shown to harm pets. Do a little research.
Your first priority is taking care of your dog though! I hope she is all right.
My dog ate a whole pack of ice breaker gum containing xylitol. He is still in the hospital trying regulate his ATL levels. I was wondering if there are any regulations for companies to put a label on products that are toxic to animals?
I’m not familiar with any type of regulation for companies to include a label on toxic products for animals. I hope your dog gets better soon. Gum can be very dangerous for dogs. Your dog is in our thoughts.
Just curious where you got this information?
Great question, we’ve added some information about our sources at the end of this article! Thanks 🙂
Sadly, to get information like this, an awful lot of dogs had to suffer unbearable agonies.
I noticed that dairy was not something to feed your dog. I sometimes will give my dog cheese to help them take whatever medicine is needed and any dog I have had LOVES cheese. Is this really harmful?
Each dog is different and some dogs are lactose intolerant, which is why we have dairy on this list. Also, dogs can get pretty gassy after eating dairy products and have some diarrhea, but it all depends on the amount they eat. If your dog seems completely fine after eating cheese it’s probably okay to continue doing so. Just make sure it’s in small amounts.
Is there’s any problem to make my dog eat a dead coocked chicken
Dogs can eat cooked chicken. I wouldn’t recommend giving them an entire chicken though. Bones can be dangerous and if ingested they can harm a dog. Also, too much of a change in a dog’s diet can cause an upset tummy and other digestion issues.
Sorry, but you really should do more research before doing blogs like this. That’s why I never look at sites like this for legitimate information on pet nutrition. Avocados, for example, are something you absolutely give your dog. The meat of the avocado (the part we like to make guacamole with) is incredibly nutritious, full of healthy fats and vitamins, and is fantastic for their skin and coat. The parts to stay away from are the skin, the pit, the stem, and the leaves. most people aren’t giving those parts to their dogs anyway.
Also, dogs absolutely can eat cat food. They can live off of cat food, easily. The fats and proteins are for targeted for a cat’s diet?? What does that even mean? Meat is meat, and fat is fat, period. Cats are obligate carnivores while dogs are omnivores with carnivorous instincts, so yes they differ that way, but there is no “special” meat that a cat can have that a dog can’t. It’s embarrassing that people could even think that.
Don’t even get me started on the benefits of chinese medicine done right and how mushrooms have helped myriads of issues in dogs including skin issues, joint problems, digestive upsets, immunity, etc.
I think you should stick to stuff that is 100% deadly, and then refer to a nutritionist for everything else.
I like you very much!
I gave a little bit of grapefruit to my dogs and I was told it was poisonous and possibly could be fatal and that if it is interested you should go to a vet urgently so I suggest you add it to your list pretty quickly and you should be able to find information on the web as a friend sent me a rather scary leak which made me panic. My dog has also eaten over the last few months several Nispero stones as I have a tree and is also stealing some of the pears. They both seem to be fine so I am assuming that if there is no reaction then they are okay but of course I will try and avoid these things.
Can dogs eat pork? Can they eat any type of pork? Ham, bacon, pork chops, etc. My dog LOVES the smell of bacon (who doesn’t?!) and I always want to give him some but I don’t want to hurt him.
Pork is perfectly safe for dogs. You can give your dog pork, chicken, beef, venison, lamb, fish, etc. The part that is important to pay attention to is how YOUR specific does does on different proteins (it’s different for every single dog) as well as the sourcing and safety processes used at the manufacturer of your choice. How is the meat stored? Where does it come from? How fresh is the meat? These are what matter – not whether or not they eat pork.
Can dogs eat ham even if it’s not bacon? We have ham leftover from Father’s Day and I was going to give our 6 year old lab some but didn’t want him to get hurt.
I recommend not giving your dog pork. You can learn more about the reasoning here.
No ham it kills your dog a lot
Hi Clare, I agree with you, who doesn’t love the smell of bacon! I recommend you take a look at this reader question about dogs eating pork.
I will say this though, every year for my sister’s dog’s birthday she gives him ice cream with a little bacon on top. He loves it and he’s been fine. He’s a 110-pound lab and every dog handles food differently. I wouldn’t recommend it myself, but my sister’s dog is still alive and well.
We grilled last night and our coonhound got into the potatoes and green peppers. They were both grilled when she got into them. Can dogs eat potatoes? Can dogs eat peppers? Do I need to be worried? She seems fine but I want to make sure we don’t need to take action.
As long as the potatoes were cooked when she ate them she should be fine. As for the peppers, this was probably good for to eat. Cooked green peppers are high in vitamin C and can actually be good for dogs in moderation. No need to worry, Steph. I’m sure your dog enjoyed her “unexpected” treats last night and is feeling great today. 🙂
I have a question regarding the liver. I make chicken liver and rice in small amount for my two doxies. They love it and I mix it in with their pellets. Yes I am aware of weight gain for them but I am very good at thier portion control. Is this still dangerous for them.
I recommend asking your vet about the amount you are giving your doxies.
Hi, is feeding store bought Roast Chicken to our small dog daily bad for her? She gets diarrhea about once a fortnight could this be the cause ?
Kate’s response is spot on. Some of the items on the list of what can dogs not eat includes seasonings and spices, they can really mess with a dog’s health. If you don’t know 100% how the chicken was roasted, it’s better to discontinue it and be safe. I’d see if that stops her diarrhea. Best of luck!
Since the store roasted it, and you might not know everything that it came into contact with (seasonings, equipment, etc) I would personally discontinue feeding it to your dog. Boiling unseasoned chicken for your pup should be fine, as long as all of the bones are removed, though!
As always, check with your vet; ultimately, they will know better than random people on the internet.
Our lab/border mix Gracie is going on 15 and is on 3 prescriptions and 2 prescription dog foods for her liver and arthritis. Both are Hills Prescription Diet, KD (Vet recommended KD over LD, due to taste), dry and canned. She hates the taste and have tried EVERYTHING to improve the taste. Lately, we’ve mixed in one link sausage to flavor it up and she loves it. She hasn’t vomited or had diarrhea due to it. Is the sausage bad for her or the spices in it?
Thanks, Jim
I would avoid processed meats in general as they are a type 1 carcinogen listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) right up there with tobacco and asbestos. It’s not good for us, so I’d assume it is not good for them either. You could do some research on a raw diet and make your own food in a food processor. They like the raw meat taste and you can even sneak in some veggies which will help your pooch in the long run. I’ve heard great things about owners with old dogs and dogs with health problems healing their ailments. Good luck!
It should be ok as long as there is no onion, chives, garlic, or an excess amount of salt. To be safe though, feed it to your dog in moderation.
My 13 pound Chorkie ate a piece of peppered beef jerry that dropped on the floor. . . Nobody meant to give it to her. My mouth is a bit hot from eating them, even though it’s just black pepper on the beef. I’m worried she will be uncomfortable too, and also concerned if this will do more harm to my poor little Mandi? It’s late , Saturday night, and don’t want to wake up my vet . . . Can anyone help with the please? Thank you so much.
Avocados are not toxic to dogs, it is the pit. The information about feeding liver is inaccurate, liver is full of nutrients and a necessary part of a species appropriate raw food diet. Salmon and trout are fine once deep frozen for at least 4 weeks at -30, and any fish so long as it is not high in mercury. Nutritional yeast can be very beneficial for dogs as well. Strawberries , blueberries should be organic, as they are among the top fruits that absorb a lot of pesticides that are carcinogenic, same goes for potatoes. Rice, especially white rice is NOT biologically appropriate and is outdated advice for a dog with an upset tummy. Additionally rice is filled with arsenic, both organic and non, a hug issue. One in two dogs ill get cancer in it’s lifetime. Organic pumpkin is recommended for tummy issues ( just plain, not with any kind of spice.. Cooking for a dog destroys nutrients and increases the risk of pancreatitis. Garlic is absolutely fine in small amounts, and is proven to be beneficial. Debi Stokes Owner and Admin
What about ground white pepper?
what happens when a dog eats lemon pepper
I can’t believe some of the ignorant comments people have been leaving. The whole idea is take what you like and leave the rest. Check multiple sources when researching information. I assume many of you came upon this as I did trying to look into the safety of something I wanted to try for one of my beloved pets to treat a health issue. While I didn’t find what I was looking for I did find in the comments some of the dumbest pet owners I’ve seen in a long time. Those of you giving your pets known toxic foods must have more money than brains for those inevitable upcoming vet bills or you’ll probably forgo them and just let the pet suffer till you search again looking for answers to the conditions you caused by failing to heed the warnings. Corn cobs can get stuck in the intestines causing an expensive blockage left untreated will kill your pet. Onions and the like effect the blood possibly making pet anemic. Chocolate can not only cause seizures but poison the liver. Educate yourself before leaving asinine comments misleading others who might actually give a s*** about the welfare of their animals.
How do u get the e- book download that ur promised when u sign-up for this newsletter? I signed up but I didn’t get anything?
I’m sorry about that Kendra. The e-book is sent to you after you confirm your email address. Check your spam folder and see if it was sent there. If not, please let us know and we will send a copy directly to you with the link.
When I make stock, I simmer all the veg including onions, for an hour. The leftover veg. I like to mix with meat, bind with egg and shape into small balls, cover in breadcrumbs and then deep fry as a treat for my dogs. Surely the onions can’t do any harm as there’s nothing nutritional left in them. I would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks in advance.
My dad always made his own dog food and our vet said they were they healthiest dogs they ever seen all my dad dogs lived close to 20 years and he always put garlic and onions in the food and my husband makes our own dog food and we use garlic and onions all the time and our vet says our dogs are very healthy so I never listen to these people that says its bad for them because it is not. Dog food companies and vets just want to make money off you and scare you.
Great question Crystyn! From our research, even cooked onions can be poisonous to dogs, but to be honest, I’m not sure if the cook time makes a difference. If it were me, I wouldn’t risk giving my dog onion. Like you said, since you’re cooking them for an hour there’s nothing nutritional left in them so it’s not adding any value to your dog’s diet. I’m sure your dog would still love these if you eliminated the onion. 🙂 What are you frying the meatballs in?
This is a load of pish my Ralph will be getting a 3 course meal everyday so shove your not giving your dog chocolate up your arse.
Do you have to speak so crudely can tel you are from north of the border
How dare you put everyone from north of the boarder in one basket you have no right to judge people who you don’t know making such comments is so rude to genuinely good people from the north get your facts right
What a disgusting person you are and ignorant!
Yikes, I would advise you not to give your dog chocolate as it can cause serious health issues.
I know for a fact that chocolate is not good for dogs! I always gave my dogs chocolate, until one day we had some friends over and we were eating those mini chocolate candy bars the ones you hand out at Halloween and not paying attention on how many I was giving my dog, (an 87 lb,8yr old boxer) well I guess to many because later that night he flew off the bed and started having a seizure. And he has never had a seizure before and hasn’t had one sence, because I DON’T FEED HIM CHOCOLATE ANYMORE! THAT SCARED ME SO BAD.
You’re lucky. I understand the toxins don’t get processed in the dog’s body and they retain the toxins. They accumulate in the dog’s body and never leave. Maybe that is why the “last one” had this effect.
I’m so sorry Kathy, I hope he has recovered fully. We never give our dog any amount of chocolate just to be on the safe side. There are too many scary stories like this one to risk the health of our dog. Thank you for sharing with us.
Some of this information is way wrong. Garlic is in many dog foods and treats and is good for their digestive tract. Onions only give them gas. Eggs. Really?
Garlic is safe in small doses, which we state in our article. Onions can cause damage to red blood cells, which can cause anemia. Eggs are listed under the heading “Safe Human Foods for Dogs”. I hope this clarifies these foods for you.
Some foods = evil?
I had a dog who ate raw bones and developed an blockage because the acid in the dogs stomach activated the growth molecules and formed a the mass that was difficult to pass. after several days of a water diet while in intensive care at the Vet, the blockage passed. there was some blood but he healed ok.
thank u for sharing about dog, first time to have dog now, my dog is 2 months and she ate mix rice and dog food,
This list is far from perfect. I see a lot of conflicting information on websites like this.
So I guess Chili Cheese Fritos are out. Darn. My four little ones and I love those. What about Banana Chips? Too fatty? I’ve switched to a better little bites dry dog food. They get Trader Joes canned in the morning. Old man Chico (16 yrs), a 5 lb. chi, nibbles Merrick’s Turdudkin. Sophie is heavy. Bugsy is not. My Georgia is a blond 8 lb. Chiweenie (per my vet), very rambunctious. Her blood test before her dental came back with some strange enzyme. It was suggested that she ingested something toxic (so guilty!) but not too seriously. My vet prescribed a supplement to help her liver heal. I was hoping to find the culprit (food). Perhaps I’m just a big, bad, fat, dog mom. Will do better.
My dog ate some uncooked sice . Will he be ok?
Years ago my dog ate about a pound of raw white rice. He was sickly for about a day. When it finally went through him it literally sprayed against the wall out the back. He was a 70 pounder. I have never accidentally left a bag of dry rice on the floor since. He was about 5 and was with us until he went to Heaven at 14. If yours has not pooped in the last 8 days it is most definitely VET time. Hope all is well.
I suggest contacting your vet and asking. Be sure to note the type of rice your dog ate and how much. Let us know what you find out and good luck!
Corn on the cob? My dog goes to the corn field and picks an ear of corn and eats it!
No because it is still is corn on the cob
Years ago my fella got a cob out of the trash. He hogged it down and a 3″ section lodged in his intestine. He got sick the next day and I took him to vet. The vet could feel the mass, but nothing showed on x-Ray. Emergency exploratory surgery and he was fine. My dogs get a bite of frozen whole kernel corn with butter of course every now and then and I never heard of properly chewed corn being harmful.
My little brown dog just passed away and the last thing i feed him was classic lay,s.Im prety sure he died from old age and not the chips.
It’s because you gave your dog
I’m pretty sure you are right. No worries. I bet he loved that last little nibble of Lays. Mine do and we are all alive and kicking. Take care. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss Jay. Our thoughts are with you.
Pork is bad for your dog DO NOT LET YOUR DOG CONSUME
What about the “pigs ears” treats I see in some pet departments?
Rice is safe for dogs or not..??I have a pet 2years old ..His digestive system always have problem..So most of d tyms he remains unwell..Plz tell me wat a balanced diet for a 2years dog should be
Rice is okay for dogs, but check with your vet first. I suggest asking your vet what your dog should be eating. It can vary based on breed, age, weight, dietary needs/restrictions, etc.
About 70% of this list is fearmongering bull****.
There are little kids on here like me
Pumpkin pie and apple pie, he doesn’t get people food ever. But he got into the pie and ate a piece of both. Only weighs 8 lbs. Concerned about the cinnamon and carnation milk ingredients. Any ideas?
I’m unsure about cinnamon but dairy can cause some issues with your dog’s bowel movements. If he is feeling unwell, you should take him to the vet.
I have two puppies mixed breed last night the little male started to throw up. I think it was possible he got a cigg butt. He is not throwing up now but is very tired doesn’t want to eat or drink. Just wants to sleep what can I do I can’t afford a vet right now. I’m just sick. He doesn’t have the parvo smell.
I make my dog’s food; I use ground chicken, pork, or turkey; add green beans, zucchini, and carrots; I also add oatmeal. Then I mix this with her regular dry dog food to ensure she gets her nutrients.
Thats like eating a healthy meal and eating McDonald’s to make sure you get all your nutrients..
Can dogs eat turkey plain? Or does it always need to be combined with other stuff?
It seems whenever I feed my 3 dogs and 5 cats pork it gives them all loose poop. Does anybody else have the same problem?
Capsaicin is not found in black pepper. Black pepper and peppers are not related at all. One is a spice from Indonesia, the other is a plant from South America.
Thank you Marcus, you are correct! We will be sure to update our article.
There isn’t any capsaicin in black pepper. That’s an unrelated plant containing piperine. Black pepper isn’t really a pepper that’s just its common name.
Off-topic, why do most comment boards–on ANY subject–always degenerate into a bunch of bickering 5-year-olds? Is that a new form of entertainment for the socially immature, or what?
Possible reasons – anonymity, disinhibition effect, sentiment cascade, snowball effect, emotional contagion, diminished accountability, trolls – or any and all combinations thereof.
For trolls specifically, the answer to your second question is – Absolutely, yes.
Two problems with this article: Salt in small amounts is fine for both people and pets, and in fact even necessary. Also, we do feed our dog “people food” (but not a hodge-podge of scraps). It’s far more nutritious than any dog food that comes in a bag or a can. She gets a high protein, mostly grain-free diet of meat, poultry, and eggs, along with a bit of diced up veggies, sometimes a little rice, and occasionally a small piece or two of fruit. A sprinkle of powdered dog vitamins is usually added to cover all the bases. She’s very healthy and never begs for food because she’s fed a high-quality species-appropriate diet that satisfies her nutritional needs. Treats are few and far between and never of the commercial variety. Begging is a behavior learned by dogs that are chronically hungry–not a result of feeding “people food.”
Yeah the article is saying “people food” is the hodgepodge of scraps, all the foods you listed as feeding your dog with are said to be safe in this article and basic foods, not human specific foods like chips, seasoned pork roast, buttered toast crust, etc. Well fed dogs still will beg for “human food” when they think they’re going to get those treats.
Not all dogs are lactose intolerant. Despite having a sensitive stomach in other ways, my dog has always handled dairy products just fine. Although nearly all wolves are lactose intolerant, dogs have lived alongside milking cows as long as humans have, and were under similar selective pressure to retain lactose tolerance beyond infancy. Although lactose intolerance is more common in dogs (and cats) than in humans, many dogs and cats are fine with dairy. And since the consequences of lactose intolerance are uncomfortable but not fatal, it’s worth trying a small amount and keeping an eye on them if you’d like to feed dairy products to them.
Grounded black pepper on Heartland web….included that, if true then bummer because the alkaloid pipeline would help with sustained and retention with example: tumeric, circumin with absorption but if passes right through, loss of effectiveness. Am I making sense, to be understood?….thankyou Gary
Sorry Gary, I’m not quite sure what you’re saying.
He made perfect sense.
I gave my dog spicy popcorn
I just read this and noticed grapes were on the list. I have a B&G macaw parrot that loves grapes and so did my fox terrier, Abby. I was not aware they could be toxic. Years go by and at a vet check I mentioned that Abby eats everything Sophie, my parrot does. He said wow, such as? I said nuts, bananas, pasta, broccoli, and grapes. When I said grapes he asked how many. I said 2-3 per day for the past 5-6 years. He was shocked and said he was going to write an article to someplace about this stating that it must be by breed and Abby was of such a breed or she’d be dead already. He said don’t bother stopping now as she obviously can’t be hurt by them. It’s been another 3 years since that day. Green, black or red grapes, whatever is on sale is what I buy and share them with my pets. I do not want anyone else with a Fox Terrier trying this, but just in case there’s a way to look it up as my Abby was, and still is, proof. Her heart now is giving trouble, but nothing else, and she was 12 years old in March 2016. She’s still here, eating her grapes. 🙂
My dog is real picky, so when I found a treat he liked, and got a few bags, someone told me that it wasn’t good for my dog. Can anyone tell me if Alpo snacks are bad for a Shih Tzu?
Just wanna ask, will people food like left over and old food lead to gastroenteritis in dog? Thank you very much.
“Cat food – Not that they would want this anyway” If my dog, Maggie, sees the cat food I have to drag her away from it. She is obsessed with it. I have to feed the cat behind closed doors or Maggie won’t eat dog food, even if the cat food is where she can’t reach, if she knows it’s there she won’t have anything else.
Uhm hum what kind of sick person would give mj to a dog!! Are you psychologically sick or what‼ï¸
Is cereal ok? Cuz I didn’t notice I dropped a cheerio on the floor and he ate something and it sounded like a cheerio I made him drink some water in case it’s not listed in this list is it ok? Will he be fine?
Kimberly is correct.
Adding more info, in case anyone comes in the future and is concerned about the same.
If they’re the plain original ones, and it’s not a lot, it should be fine. They are often traded for training treats (because they’re interesting and crunchy, but bland, and won’t put the dog off on their food), or suggested to be used in lieu of commercial treats (which are usually pretty fatty) for overweight dogs.
If someone wants to try ^ – Keep in mind that while they won’t hurt the dog, they won’t provide much nutritional benefit. Too much can make their stomach upset or turn them off to their next meal (too many carbs, feel too full). They’re safe, but only as long as you’re not giving them human-size portions or replacing proper food with them.
Plain original is the best option, but Honey Nut and Multigrain are also safe (in lesser amount due to sugar content). Avoid using newer mixes or flavours – especially Chocolate or Frosted products.
And, of course, always read the label and avoid using any product that contains anything your dog is allergic to or shouldn’t be eating in general (such as xylitol).
If your dog ate a Cheerio he will be fine. Since it is a bland cereal he probably looked at it like a treat.
A site written up by a Vet maintains that Garlic is very dangerous for dogs. It bursts the red blood cells. I see on your site it is listed as “a little is safe” even beneficial”.
Garlic has been a controversial subject. While some people believe it’s 100% toxic others believe it is okay in a very small amount. We understand if you do not want to feed your dog garlic. We have read many articles on the subject and believe that garlic can be beneficial to dogs in very small doses. It is even found in some dog foods. We suggest speaking with your vet about giving your dog garlic if you are considering it.
Is it bad to feed a dog roast beef lunch meat
Most lunch meats contain nitrates which are bad for dogs.
I am afraid my french bulldog ate about ten fruit snack packages ate the wrappers too. Any recommendations???
Take your dog to the vet ASAP.
Antifreeze/coolant causes acute renal failure.
Hey, I think my 11 month old beagle ate some prestik, is that bad for her?
We aren’t familiar with prestik, but if you are at all concerned for your dogs health you should take her to the vet immediately.
I believe all sugars ending in tol are very dangerous (sorbitol, eyrthritol, xylitol and so on).
My dog won’t eat dog food. He eats lean beef of all kinds chicken white or brown rice what can I add to it so he gets a proper balance of necessary vitamins and minerals?
Hi John, here are some homemade dog food recipes for you to try out! https://www.caninejournal.com/homemade-dog-food-recipes/
Is it ok to feed your dog syrup? I know it has sugar in it but it doesn’t have a lot.
Hi Gavin, I suggest not feeding your dog syrup. Since it’s not really a “human meal” (more of a topping) it’s something you can avoid giving your dog. Syrup has quite a bit of sugar in it, and too much sugar for a dog can cause dental problems, obesity and diabetes. To keep your pup healthy, I would avoid the syrup.
My dog is a 2 year old jack Russell. As of the last 4 months, he’s taken to nibbling on blankets and other articles. Anyone know why he does this?
I. Have a dog that does this. I call it nibbling. He tends to do this as a security measure or when he gets sleep
I take issue with the raw salmon. I have a dog that has LIVED on raw fish and raw chicken with a bit of cooked beef. She has eaten salmon fillets and even salmon skeletons. We only started cooking the salmon and chicken when she turned 12 and is now 14. No problems at all until 13 which as far as we are concerned is a LONG life for my husky/shepherd/wolf cross.
What about hot dogs? How healthy are they for dogs? I have a friend who puts his dog’s medicine in pieces of hot dogs. So she probably eats at least a 1/4 of a hot dog daily. She has a heart condition and has put on weight and lost muscle mass since this started so now I’m wondering if there’s something better that’s still low in cost that my friend could use.
Hi Kara, most hot dogs contain nitrates which are bad for most living beings. So, I would recommend that your friend switch to something more natural for the medicine delivery… perhaps a piece of cheese or some peanut butter. My dogs also like cream cheese.
I would like to add to the list of foods that will adversely effect a dog: Spicy foods are terrible for them. Yesterday, I fed my Labrottie a couple of left over pre-seasoned rib scraps. This morning, he had vomited up all of his food from yesterday. That is how I came across this site; looking for a solution to his sickness. This site helped by recommending rice as a way to settle his tummy. I mixed in very little chicken hoping to entice him to eat. At first, he wouldn’t touch it; however, about 3 hours later, he finally indulged and has been able to keep it down and is feeling much better. So, don’t ever give your dog spicy foods.
Poison! GARLIC is all toxic to animals!!! To post a suggestion that garlic is a safe food is wrong! It acts just like onion. They are in the same family. It’s been known many years now, yet many vet’s have not kept up on toxic foods. It will eventually cause blood and organ issues, including failure, disease and death!! Raw bones of any sort, are bad!! They still splinter, chip, cause tooth wear down, breakage and gum issues. As well as increase bacterial load, thus causing oral disease. All pork is toxic and only white meat of chicken and turkey should be used. Never seasoned and only boiled or baked. Never dark fatty meat or skin. A rinsed raw carrot, preferably organic, is a great healthy treat. We feed many daily to our horses, llamas, dogs (and shredded) to our ponds of fish and rescued water turtle’s and fowl. It takes up to 1 or 2 days to get a dog to realize the carrots are edible. Often immediate enjoyment happens. For small dogs we break the carrot in half. For big dogs we snap the tip off (to expose the fresh flesh of the carrot). They get them throughout the day. The green tops can be rinsed and chopped into salads and also fed to turtles, fowl and llamas. Canned pureed “pure pumpkin” (not pie filling) is a good option if you have a sick cat or dog. It helps their digestive tract to slacken and allow some smaller obstructions to pass and is highly nutritious. You can also deseed and core an apple in an emergency, and puree it with a bit of pure pumpkin and/or non-seasoned chicken broth (to encourage the pet to consume it). You may need to orally syringe it into a pet if they won’t eat it on their own. If you can get to a vet, it’s always the best option. But people lacking funds and transportation often have few options in an urgent situation. Bones of all sorts can cause impaction or internal puncture and death. Never feed rawhide bones. Most are produced in countries that use our outlawed pesticides and chemicals. At my vet college years ago, I learned they kill and poison many pets. They get stuck behind teeth, in throats and in digestive tracts. A painful death. Or they slowly, overtime, cause cancers and various health issues leading to early death. Cucumbers are NOT advised!! They are acidic and cause gastrointestinal issues and pain. I’m horrified that greed and professional ignorance, have vets and pet companies, blindly selling and suggesting, that toxic foods and ingredients are good for pets! Just because a pet eats something doesn’t mean it’s safe! No salts of any kind, no avocado, no pork, no raw fish or any bones. No nutmeg, no chocolate, no alcohol, no fruit or nut “seeds” (including the wood or leaves of the plant/tree.) No human toothpaste, no exposure to copper (coins can be swallowed) and water through copper pipes or bowls lead to toxicity (including death to turtles and fish). No macadamia, no exposure to thread, dental floss, yarn, fishing line & hooks, glues, sunscreens, most body oils and lotions, (you need approved non-chemical organic brands). The list is very long of item’s ranging from “mechanically injurious” to “toxic” to “deadly.” The classifications can figure into how fast you will realize your pet is in trouble. Often it’s when the damage is done, kidneys, livers, blood disorders, cancers and nonreversible illness and death. Some deaths will be immediate, while others can take years. Do not combine flea control products. The best are a monthly topical like Advantage II (a non script item) or prescription Revolution topical. It is a good combination control. Never use flea collars or powders. You can shop catalogs and online to find good prices, including Omaha Vaccine Co. and Doctor’s Foster and Smith. Sign up to all companies for discounts and sales. Liver and immune support can benefit from probiotics. A vet formula of Probiotics blended in Alaskan Salmon Oil (that includes Rosemary) is a miracle worker, including autoimmune disease issues. Especially pets on antibiotics. Feed the recommended amount (usually twice a day.) Milk Thistle (herb tablet) and Marshmallow (herb tab or capsule) sized down for your pet’s size can help their liver and immune system. Grind the herbal tabs (once cut to size) and blend with canned food or in their nutritional supplements. Feed twice per day. Most vets can guide you. Rubber bands, twist ties and many plants (like deadly Easter Lily, Oleander) and many other’s, must be avoided! They will kill your pet if consumed. Collars kill pet’s ‘by hanging or choking to death,’ including a limb slipping into the collar (and the panic and struggle to free itself), often leads to death, broken limbs, spinal injury and tracheal injury or collapse! Never leave a collar on an animal unless it’s a “break away” style. Microchip pets and double fence areas if you feel there are areas of easy exit. Put cement paver at the base of fencing to avoid digging out by pets. Use a pet door when possible. Many pets are stolen and abused, tortured and killed or sold to be victims of dog fighting, fed as live bait or sold in the pet trade or to research lab’s. Predators don’t respect fences. Loss of habitat forces foxes, coyotes, mountain lion, bears, rattlesnakes and even owls, eagles and hawks to eat pets of all sizes. A secure roofed big dog run on concrete or tiles, etc., is another option to keep pets safe while having outdoor time. Vaccines last longer than present guidelines suggest. You can usually go at least an extra 2 to 4 years (often longer) before needing revaccination. Vets can easily do a quick blood test to check on titer levels. This shows the active amount of vaccine in the body. Never do all vaccines at once. Go 4 weeks or longer between shots, if possible. Too many pet’s health are destroyed by bad reactions to getting multiple vaccines at one visit. Some die within the hour, others will have seizures the rest of their lives, get brain damage and have their health destroyed. Especially smaller sized pets. Vaccines are big money for vet practices, don’t be talked into the multi-pack. Pay for your vaccine bundle, only if the vet agrees to let you come back (and not pay the office fee), every 4 to 8 weeks to stretch out the shots so the immune system won’t be overloaded. Any vet can give shots. Mobile vaccine clinics should agree as well. They all need your business to survive. Check daily for pet food and product recalls. Never feed moldy food. Mold spores can’t be seen early on sadly, but are equally poisonous. Bless all the pets and the pet parents who love and adore them! Once we know better, we do better! ♡=^..^=♡ “Every day is Earth Day!” Keep pets indoors during high heat, cold and loud events like thunderstorms and the Fourth of July idiotic fireworks. Noise and fire risks, including pet death and blindness from interacting with these horrible products! Reach out to help a disabled or elderly person with pet struggles. Offer to transport them to the vet or groomer. Ask a mobile vet to treat the pet in need when they are in the area. To wave the ranch or home call fee, Meals On Wheels will bring pet food for free to their clients in need. Let’s clean the yards, get the mail, run errands and offer a helping heart to anyone in need. Including the pets and landscape of the people too sick or poor to care for themselves. Often a pet is a person’s last reason for wanting to live. Please don’t dump turtles and other pets. Reach out for help. Don’t fear judgement, many people want to help. We all will face issues in our lives. Don’t have a pet removed if you can seek support for a disabled or struggling person. Thank you for caring! Eden♡♡
You have presented a fabulous and well stated, well informed comment and it is very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to prepare it. It was great!
Thank you 🙂 I appreciate your kindness. It gets depressing when heartless creeps prefer arrogance over the health and safety of their pets. I shut off notifications and just signed on to do something and saw your nice note:). Thank you for loving your pets and sending me a nice note. The support is truly appreciated♡:) =^..^= Eden Wild
You are so very welcome, Eden. Any time I see someone doing something good and kind for others, I want to thank them.
Raw bones are bad? You obviously never really had a dog.
Pork is not toxic to dogs and ONLY White meat of chicken and turkey?
Let us ponder how a dog eats in the wild… ummm, let me kill that bird and make sure to only get his “white flesh”. Oh hold on a minute, I need a carrot – where is that human to break my carrot in half? Oh dear let me run to William Sonoma and get myself a pot (probably teflon if you were cooking) and then it’s off to the supermarket to pick up some canned pumpkin for my kitty neighbors.
I really wonder what they teach in vet school… oh yes now I remember: you said it yourself, you learned to POISON and KILL animals.
Dogs and wolves in the wild only live,on average, about 5 or 6 years.
Coyote, wolves and foxes do not live as long as domesticated canines. Bones risk internal puncture, choking and impaction. Pet’s often gulp down bones not fully chewed up to a fine crush. Small shards can still cause death. Wild canine eat live caught prey and carrion – not rich fatty dark meat that causes great distress on their system. How sad that I’m sharing up-to-date veterinary science. Not some chat, because my pet enjoys sharing table food and horrible dietary selections but their owner’s. I was informing owners who want to do better. Dogs eat corn but it’s not great for them. Dogs eat plastic, toxic plants and toads. Wild canine are eating bones of a fresh or recent kill. These bones are yet dried and hard. Pork won’t kill fast. In most cases, just like garlic and onion, it slowly poisons the pet and causes various malady, blood and organ conditions, cancer and early death. Those choosing to continue to feed animals the toxic foods (to dogs and cats) etc., do so knowing they are choosing to prematurely cause pain and potential death. By the time a person observes an external pain indicator (by their pet), it’s been much longer than their pet has been experiencing and suffering in pain! Pumpkin is highly nutritious. We feed bears and most animals (wild and domestic) pumpkins, as a seasonal enrichment and when needing a nutritional boost. Sad how my long ago experience (garlic/brewers yeast tablets toxicity) and its causing liver failure (over time) is so comical to your sick and very limited brain. I shared because I not only care for all animals, but the people whose hearts, and often wallets, are broken from their pet’s early illness and eventual death! Raw diets are complex. There are pet food company recalls going on right now, due to listeria. Even high end, refrigerated pet food is often made with the best of intentions (and it’s a huge money maker). There is little regulation in animal feed production. Owners must be vigilant. Sign up to receive “Pet Food Recalls” and for those who truly care about the well being of their pets, please don’t risk feeding bones and much people food to your pets. Your moment of joy, feeding that treat or food, may kill your pet. Bones will wear down the enamel, chip teeth, fracture teeth and cause gum issues, along with the above risks I’ve mentioned. Carrots and thinly sliced sticks of zucchini are great treats and food for your dogs. Baking sweet potato slices (in stick or small bite form) will give you a healthy treat for your dogs too. Freeze excess in freezer bags and bring near room temperature to feed as a treat or training reward. If your pet is a diabetic or has heart disease, check with a vet specializing in dietary needs for each specific condition. Liver, kidney and other conditions, often have dietary restrictions, changes and enrichment. I wish everyone reading this health, happiness and wisdom! For you and most certainly, for the animals whose lives depend on your intelligent care. May God forgive those who ignore sage advice. As the animals under your stewardship will suffer at your hands, by your bad choices!
Amen!
GARLIC?!?!
Can I give human vitamin E oil to my dog oraly or rubbed on dry skin?
Hi Brady, I would recommend you stick to breaking open the capsule and rubbing it on your dogs dry skin to be safe. Sometimes the capsules can be made out of foreign materials that may not agree with canine digestive systems. Better safe than sorry. Take care, M
Thanks, I will take your advice. Again thanks.
From a clinical perspective, and in contrast to humans, there is no scientific evidence linking sodium intakes in dogs with increased risk of hypertension, renal or cardiac disease, or calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
Source: Veterinary Times, 8/3/2010
Please double check your facts on Garlic, It seems many authorties disagree with you and claim garlic is toxic to dogs.
Thank you Hayuitsme,
Yes, we too have read conflicting reports. However, almost every study on pests shows that garlic in very small doses can be beneficial for deflecting fleas, ticks, etc. So, we say, if you are worried, avoid it, but a little, tiny bit might prove very helpful. So proceed with caution.
Marijuana treats for your pet will prevent cancer and is the future for animals living longer
Agree, along with a meatfree eg cooked salmon and potato dried foods #pescetariansocietyapproved
All wild animals look for a high fat diet so this information about limiting fat intake is outdated and misguided.
Thanks for your comment Neil. I agree that wild animals do seek out high fat diets but based on your thoughtful response, I think you would agree that there is a difference between over-processed, highly saturated fats and fats found naturally occurring in nature.
Absolutely you are right. I should have clarified what types of fats. No vegetable seed oils or hydrogenated products. Only organic grass fed butter, lard, coconut oil, and some cheese products and of course pastured pork belly and other high fat foods that my family consumes. I follow the Weston A Price diet which is focused on knowledge gained from studying the diets of more primitive cultures that existed 150 years ago and I imagine that most but not all principles would line up with the primitive diet of canines.
*I did not realize that avocado was toxic to them so I must avoid that from now on.
I have fed my dog grapes a number of times, I am worried now that I have read this article what should I do?
They are primarily a choking hazard, so if your dog is okay now, maybe you just don’t give them grapes again in the future. Take care and thanks for your comment!
Our 9 week old Border Collie puppy, Lola, seems to get into Devon (or bologna) all the time. Is this healthy? Or bad. My sister was wondering that before she gave her German Shepherd dog some. Maybe someone can answer? And also, is “Processed Meat” good for Puppies.
Hi Marni,
Processed meats are not healthy for dogs because they are very processed (not natural meat at all), have a lot of sodium and also contain nitrates. These are not healthy for dogs or really for humans either so, while your dog can have it occasionally, do not make it a regular treat.
I have a quick question. I recently bought a pitbull, and unfortunately was separated from his mother earlier than he should have. Anyway, he is now just over 2 months old. He’s healthy, happy, and I am blessed to have such a wonderful dog. But, there is one thing that does concern me. Since I took in my puppy, he will start shaking very badly. It almost seems like he’s having a mini seizure. I will hold him and it will go away, but it scares me. I went online and read many other pitbull owners who experienced the same thing. They said it will go away, that it happens for whatever reason. Well it did, and I thought he was getting better but I noticed that he’s starting to tremble again. I catch him before he starts to go into an all out shaking attack. Why does this happen to my little pup, and how long can I expect this? I feed him the best puppy food and try not to give him human food. I have never given him anything on the list you just presented. Also what are some tell tale signs that a puppy may have worms?
I have had a grand mal seizure myself in a grocery store and am on meds for life. It doesn’t slow me down at all. I had a chihuahua that did this. I would do just like you do and carefully hold him till it stopped. He didn’t seem to realize what happen afterwards. I know I didn’t, except that last one made me forget my name. Opps. It came back eventually. I’m ok and my little Tiger was with me for ten years. He was about 5 – 6 years when I got him from a rescue and had been starved so bad he could barely walk. Well he enjoyed a long life, happily snapping at the neighbors kids to protect me. Check with your vet but don’t do anything drastic. Just give him lots of love and he will be happy. My Tiger was.
Hi and thank you for your comment. My pitbull mix also trembles a lot. The vet has told me that it is common with very muscular dogs who don’t have much fat on their bones. We got our dog a thunder coat and whenever we put it on her, she calms right down. I would recommend you try it. It amazes me every time! –
Garlic onions, chives, and leeks are poisonous.
Garlic is more poisonous then onions to your dog. It is part of the nightshade family and is poisonous. Raw eggs can lead to salmonella and e coli risks plus they can mess up your dog’s skin and coat. I’m not sure about cooked potatoes skins but better safe than sorry. Any kind of fruit seeds can be poisonous.
NO Natasha, garlic is definitely NOT a nightshade. But green, yellow, and red peppers are in addition to POTATOES, tomatoes, chill peppers, paprika, cayenne pepper, egg plant, tobacco and belladonna, (not white or black pepper). There may be a few other Nightshades but these are the most used. None should be used especially if there is an issue with arthritis or joint pain and swelling, as Nightshade causes swelling, abdominal pain, joint pain, back pain, sciatic pain, jaw pain (I think that if people didn’t use Nightshade they wouldn’t have TMD or need to take anti inflammatory drugs)… Your pains will alleviate after not using Nightshade for three months, if you can abstain. Most people won’t even give it a try because they don’t have the will to feel better.
My dog Lola loves raw eggs. So does my Kelpie Stassy. All a fan of the egg-business. And they are not dead :/
Raw eggs are great for dogs. They help dogs put on weigh after disease and they contain proteins and vitamins that are great for skin and coat. Eggs do the same thing for humans and are cosmetic beauty secret. A dog’s digestive tract is different than that of a human. It is more acidic to combat these added risks. Not only that but most eggs nowadays are safe for humans to eat raw.
What kills the most dogs is commercial dog food that is full of disgusting crap. I don’t understand why the dog food companies are not being held more responsible for all the damage they are doing. Do research and cook your dog’s food yourself. It’s really easy and will prevent vet bills in the long run amongst other things. And don’t bother asking your vet, they don’t even study nutrition in vet school. In fact, a lot of vet schools are being sponsored by dog food companies. That’s why vets push it so hard. What you save by buying dog food, you spend at the vet clinic.
What about beef jerky? I have a neighbor that gives the dogs that and pup o roni luncheon meat. He gave my min pin a pup o roni and he got sick after a couple of hours. He vomited and won’t eat. I gave him over the counter medicine (approved by vet), but he may end up going for a shot. I was just wondering if what my neighbor gave my min pin is what made him sick. My other dog, an Australian Cattle, is just fine with this – she never got sick.
I read about the luncheon meat, now I have to tell him my dogs cannot have the luncheon meats.
Patti, I would recommend that you ask your neighbor not to give your dog Pup-Peroni if it may be making your pup sick. They are safe for many dogs or they would not still be available for sale BUT they do contain many preservatives that may be upsetting your dog’s tummy. Your dog is probably sensitive to it. Better safe than sorry I say!
My 7 month old pup is out of food. He is a medium size pup (shepherd/boxer/pit mix) but I was going to boil hot dogs and cut them up for him until I get more food. Is this OK or not?
Hi Kelsea,
I would recommend that you not do this. Hot dogs have lots of nitrates which are not good for dogs at all. Even bread or some carrots might be better choices than hot dogs. Hope this helps.
You know what I don’t understand about this type of discussions? Every single one of us forgets that dogs were in the wild many, many years ago. Did they eat dog food then? I am an ex-pat living in Europe for the past 8 years. I live in a very poor country and EVERYONE owns a dog (they are used to protect property). Commercial dog food is given to the “rich” owners dogs. Everyone feeds their own dog left overs and trust me no one picks out the “hazardous” foods listed in forums. Onions and garlic is a staple item in most of our foods here. If it was soooo dangerous for dogs to eat, then why aren’t the European dogs dropping like flys here? As a matter of fact, my mini dutch hound decided to dig up all of my gardens tulip, iris, and many other flower bulbs that had not yet flowered before the season and ate every single one and lived (although I had a heart attack when I saw what he had done through out the several days it took him to do the damage). My neighbors response was “you clearly don’t give him enough “onion” type foods. His body looked for another way to supplement”. Ironically speaking, he was only fed dry dog food that the US vet suggested when we first got him. Now I am not a vet,(although I worked as a vet tech many years ago) but I have found many differences between the table fed and dog food fed animals here. Hands down, the dogs here are much healthier than the dog food fed dogs in the US. There is no such thing as teeth cleaning for dogs/cats here (there is NO build up on their teeth), cancer is very rare (along with many of the other diseases listed), and there is no such thing as dogs being picky eaters (they actually can’t wait to be fed that “slop” given by their owners). Many of the owners here don’t even vaccinate their animals (not that I agree with that idea). Rabbies is not an issue (yet) and the rest of these listed diseases is rare as well. I believe (like most of these similar topics) is a form of capitalizing on fear just to make money. Like they say, buyer beware.
For those of you beating up on cured meats. I get less nitrites from my home cured meats than you do from eating green leafy veggies such as spinach or celery. My dog is a blue heeler and on occasion I will give her a scrap of raw ham or bacon. It is the high heat from cooking that makes the nitrites not so healthy. I fight with my wife all the time about her sneaking the dog table scraps. Thanks to this site, after I read it to her, she has agreed to quit sneaking the dog scraps.
Dogs surely can’t have alcohol.
Lol. I’ve been feeding my dog all of what you’re not supposed to and she is a healthy 15 years old pitbull.
How about sweet potato skins? My Yogi loves them and, since I only eat the insides of a the baked sweet potato, I always give him the skin.
Sweet potato skins are safe for dogs. Just make sure you clean them well with a scrubber first.
My dogs left ear has been twitching for days. It bothers me but I just ignore it because she still drinks and eat. Then suddenly she stopped eating but continued to drink a lot of water. Then our neighbor, who has a pet, advised me to give my dog milk and demodex. The following day she had a fever, so I gave her Biogesic. Then the next day she started to vomit every four hours. We immediately went to the vet. The vet’s diagnosis: not infectious and kidney and liver are ok. First blood test failed because according to the vet it had discoloration. Then took the test again and the result was ok. I don’t know what medicine the doc gave the next day but my dog is lethargic, very weak and in a state of shock. That day she died. Why? Does anyone know what happened? Lab results were ok but all of a sudden she’s dead.
I had a small terrier and my children fed her grapes. After 3 days, I noticed the dog was lethargic and weak and she wouldn’t eat. When I took her to the vet, they diagnosed her with kidney failure. She died that day. 🙁 Grapes are definitely a no no!
Hi Farrah,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Tobacco does not kill dogs because dogs don’t smoke it. They may eat it from time to time. Smoking it is very different than eating it. Also, Garlic should not be fed to dogs.
While smoking something is different than eating it – Tobacco most certainly can kill dogs, just as it could kill any number of living things, including a person.
And while ‘the dose makes the poison’ and ‘not everyone will have the same tolerance for everything’ may be true – Nicotine is a rapid acting, poisonous alkaloid that doesn’t have to be smoked to be lethal. It is toxic by inhalation, by contact with the skin, or if swallowed.
There’s a reason there’s a warning on smoking cessation aides like patches and gums, pesticides containing nicotine or neonicotine/neonicotoids, and garden plants like flowering Nicotiana.
Judging by the disclaimer that the only safe way to ensure your pet’s health is to “feed commercial foods and treats only” makes me highly suspect this is a industry sponsored site masquerading as a blog. If you are an intelligent human being willing to do your homework you CAN feed your dog a home cooked, healthy diet and never again have to worry again about all the pet food recalls going on out there. THOUSANDS of dogs DIED from melamine tainted commercial foods and continue to be at risk from a myriad of poorly regulated issues, samonella, aflatoxins (molds), and low quality rejected food you wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole if you saw it. Not all commercial foods are bad, but seriously, the pretty pictures on their labels of grilled steak and chicken is NOT what manufacturer are putting in your pup’s food. But guess what, you can feed your dog those real foods. Kind of makes sense when you think about it–highly processed foods aren’t good for us, why would they be good for your dog? Learn as much as you can first and start slow as you learn. Begin first by replacing those junky, food-colored and highly preserved commercial treats with healthy treats you make yourself. It’s fun and your dog will love you for it!
Hi Nandhini, This website is my baby and definitely not run by any big corporation or industry sponsor. However, I agree fully with your points about homecooked vs. commercial pet foods. In fact, I agree with it. If one is well educated on nutrition and cooking, a home cooked meal is best for all of us – dogs, cats and humans alike! So, thank you for sharing this info with our readers.
Please know that as a blog, we have to be super careful and offer up disclaimers to make sure we are not held responsible for legal action if someone follows advice on our sites. Sadly, it is such a litigious world and I hate that I even have to worry with disclaimers like this but once in awhile crazy things happen in response to a very good and honest intention. Thank you for your comment.
Very true! As I said on an earlier post about some people just posting to stir up a pot, indeed some are looking for any reason to sue another! So I will disclaim that my words are in my opinion only!
I appreciate the time and effort you put into trying to help others! Continue on, good luck!
The ASPCA says that garlic is also bad for dogs– the explanation is below–
It says that like onions and onion powder, garlic can kill red blood cells and cause anemia. It does say in small doses the animal should be ok, but in large doses or over a prolonged period of time the following side effects can occur–dullness, breathless, vomiting, drowsiness, weakness or even less interest in their other food. I did find a couple of things I can feed my pooch that I didn’t know about– like watermelon, just remove the seeds and let your poochy sit outside with the kids in the summer dripping with watermelon juice, they can all be hosed down before they come inside! Lol
My Border Collie/ GSD/ retriever mix does get some cooked bones at occasion like gatherings, parties and sometimes as a treat. Would it be find for him to have some? He had always been well. By the way, he is 4 years old and we call him Milo.
Hi Saluki Girl,
I would not recommend feeding your dog cooked bones as they are very likely to splinter and potentially hurt your dog’s digestive system. Here is an article that explains more, including xray photos, of why bones are a bad idea for Fido: http://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_raw_bones_or_cooked_bones
Can you please make a printer friendly version of this article. I wanted to post it on my fridge.
Thanks for your interest T! You can actually find a version for download here on our Pinterest page along with other helpful graphics: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/280630620504859078/
My dog died a month ago @ 16 years and she had cancer. Before she got sick, I used to give her Drs F&S’s Mega Tabs of Brewers Yeast and Garlic. She had these for years. Now, y’all are saying that you shouldn’t givie garlic to a dog for a long time. I understand the logic behind it, but isn’t a little somewhat like taking a baby asprin: good for you as a preventative?
You are right Janis, in small doses/moderation, garlic can be okay for dogs and actually help with things like fleas. But too much of a good thing could be deadly so keep it to a minimum. Sorry to hear about your pup passing 🙁
Can you sometimes give a dog some pineapple to eat? And what about those bones you buy at the pet store? Or are they cooked?
I’ve been told cheese is dangerous for dogs – something to do with the enzymes involved in the curdling process. I realise that “Milk and dairy” includes cheese, but perhaps it deserves an honourable mention on that merit alone?
I’ve fed my dogs goat and sheep plain cheeses and yogurt mixed in their food for years, once a month or so and never had a problem. In fact they are very healthy, happy and over 11 yrs old.
What I’ve read in a book about what to feed dogs is that cows’ dairy is not good for dogs; however, goats’ or sheep dairy is good, in moderation. If you’ve ever lived on a farm you would notice the dogs will snatch goats’ milk and leave cows’ milk and most every animal will steal in and break eggs to eat.
Yes I keep reading, here and there, that fat trimming can cause pancreatitis but I can’t seem to find an answer as to why it causes this. In fact you list reasons for everything else listed but this section. Thank you.
I am a patient of chronic pancreatic and have been since ’95. Foods high In fat causes the pancreatic ducts to work harder to break down sugars and get rid of unnecessary or non existing nutrients therefore becoming pissed off and inflamed, thus you get ITIS inflammation, OF THE PANCREAS…PANCREATITIS. I have to eat a low fat high fiber diet. Hope this helps.
In Virginia we have naturally growing, small wild onions (lots of them) which grow among the grass . Their tops look similar to the narrow blades of grass and it’s often hard to tell the difference. When my pooch gets an upset stomach and goes to eat grass, he sometimes accidentally eats the onions along with the grass. This makes him feel worse, which used to make me worry until the day I smelled onion on his breath and realized what had happened. I gave him a measured dose of Pepto Bismol, kept him hydrated and rest for the day. The next day we had a very black poop and all got back to normal.
Dogs love cat food, especially the smell of it. It just makes certain dogs with a lack of energy or exercise put on weight faster. It’s not that it’s bad for them. Please correct that on your list.
Hi Jordan and thank you for your comment. In most dogs, it is a minor caution, so long as the amount eaten is small. In that case, it would likely cause minor weight gain. However, the high protein levels in cat foods are quite different from that in dog foods because the two animals have different dietary needs. Dogs are omnivores (meats and plants) while cats are carnivores (meat only). So, if a dog were to eat too much high-protein cat food, overtime, it could develop kidney problems due to excessive urea accumulation in the body.
Hello, I am going to be a puppy mommy soon. I have had a few dogs, but always feed them dry dog food, with my new puppy I want to feed him homemade dog food, but I am unsure whats good and bad. Like garlic, some say it’s ok and some say it can kill your dog? And liver, I think liver is good, but again some say it’s good and others say it’s a bad thing? Can anybody help me. Does anybody have like a good meat loaf for dogs?
I made my dog’s food for many years, he lived to be 17. But I never put garlic in it. I have read many articles saying it is toxic to dogs, it affects their red blood cells. You can read more on the ASPCA’s website too: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/garlic
Karon, please would you look me up on FB and help with recipes for dogs. I want to give my boarders good fresh food, but need help with what. Thank you. Catrina Bennett.
Hello, yes in reply to your question, both liver and garlic are good for your dog, the reason some people say that these two things can be bad have to do with the amount. You do not want to give your dog too much of these foods and not too often.
A big dog should only have about one clove of garlic no more then once every couple of months and that still would be too often to be giving a dog that is perfectly healthy and a small dog would be the same, except instead of a entire clove you would only use about 1/4 of a clove 🙂 Really it is only good for cleaning parasites our of their system, also it can help some dogs’ coats shine, as well as neutralize some types of excreted odors. But it’s best if only given every six months and assuming your companion is in good health.
Too much liver can cause many problems but a little is good for them, a large dog can have if ground up just five or six spoonfuls (cubes if not ground up) with a meal ever couple of months. The same goes for a small dog, but instead of five or six spoonfuls you would only need one or two spoonfuls (cubes if not ground up).
I hope this helps give you a better understanding of why you keep getting different answers. ^~^ Here’s to all the puppy people (^~’)> Salute!!
About garlic… I know onions aren’t good for dogs, but garlic is in the same “family” as onion. Onions and garlic are both antioxidants, and dogs don’t have sweat glands like we do. Anyone know why onion is bad but garlic is good, considering they come from the same food family? And please, don’t give me an answer, ” because my vet and this article said so”.
About garlic… I know onions aren’t good for dogs, but garlic is in the same “family” as onion. Onions and garlic are both antioxidants, and dogs don’t have sweat glands like we do. Anyone know why onion is bad but garlic is good, considering they come from the same food family? And please, don’t give me an answer, ” because my vet and this article said so”.
You should look that up again. The reading I have done includes garlic as a danger to dogs because, like with onions, they lack certain enzymes to digest them properly and the damage to organs is cumulative rather than immediate.
Garlic can cure your dog of worms. My puppies had worms in their stool and coming out of their rear and we were told to give each a small piece of garlic and thank heavens it was better almost immediately.
i grew up on a farm and we would give our dogs two black berries and a small sliver of garlic once or twice a month for worms. The black berries work to cure children of pin worms too.
If all you used to cured your dogs of worms was garlic, then he still has worms.
Worms will appear in the stool based on their reproductive cycle.
They will descend to the rectal area when they have a load of eggs to lay, which they do so as the dog sets up to take a dump ensuring her poop is covered with their microscopic eggs.
Garlic is food to parasites just like everything your dog will eat.
If the worms are not primed to send their precious clutch of millions of parasite eggs out into the world, they won’t bother to make an appearance in a dog’s stool, because they are up further in the intestine where they live most of the time when not engaged in a community egg shedding event done to celebrate living the good life eating what your dog eats including garlic, inside your hapless dog.
When I bought my dog, she had tapeworms, and it was undiscovered after 3 visits to the vet, because the office assumed that since there were no external signs (dried segments which look like rice) stuck in her fur, and her tests for heart worms came back negative she didn’t have worms.
If you really want to use the stool examination method to find out whether or not your dog has worms, simply catching a quick glimpse now and then as your dog unloads her cargo to see if a pack of worms hitched a ride on her foul smelling gift to mother Earth will not cut it.
The only way you can know for sure if your dog has worms by watching her take a dump is to position yourself to watch closely as your dog pushes out a newly cut log for the forest every single time day or night.
Unless you are willing to put that sort of concerted effort that treats your dog’s bowel movements like a cinema event in order to examine every single fecal information download, thinking you know whether or not your dog has worms based on catching a glimpse now and then of what she left behind is pure foolishness.
Fortunately for those who think their dog is worth $5 or so, there is a cure available at any supermarket or large chain store that entails giving most dogs a teaspoon of the medication laced liquid, like you would a child a teaspoon of expectorant. Getting rid of tapeworms will set you back about $10, because they require a different drug.
Both medications have been used for decades without any serious reports of ill effects, and these drugs are used throughout the world not just for dogs, but cats, humans and various farm animals and at zoos. I use the same drugs to deworm my chickens and bobwhites.
Additionally, quality flea and heart worm medications like revolution kills almost all worms along with the fleas and ticks, but they are often more expensive sometimes quite a bit so.
Regardless, for me, it’s well worth the price for either medicine, because it eliminates the need to watch what is to me a horror show a few times a day to check my dog’s stool and anal and tail area to check for worms.
Small amounts of garlic is good. Large amounts can be poisonous.
I think you’re confusing anti-deodorant with antioxidant, anti dioxide = free radical destroyer not sweat inducer. There’s more than one way to rid toxins from the body and mainly it’s via the urinary tract not the bodies cooling system.
What is important in any dog food we feed our dog is the nutritional benefits it can offer them. We make sure that what we feed them is good for them and will make them healthier, stronger, and lengthen their life expectancy. I am convinced that we can achieve this best by preparing home made dog food. I am always excited to cook for them in the same way my dogs are excited to taste the food I am cooking. I make sure that the ingredients are fresh and nutritious so that my dogs will have good health and longer life.
Arsenic found in seeds is not poisonous. It’s in a different form than the poisonous stuff. It’s just an old wives tale and when you write something that misleading and wrong you have to question the accuracy of every other thing that was written. Research your facts better.
Hi Jesse,
Thank you for your comment. The seeds do in fact contain a form of cyanide called amygdlin. And while it is extremely poisonous to all beings, it is not all that toxic in such the very small amount that is contained in the casing of the apple seeds.
However, if it were ingested and then chewed/crushed in vast quantities (compared to the weight of the dog who ate it), it could make the blood unable to deliver oxygen to the rest of the body. I have updated the article to add this clarification – thank you.
I gave my cockapoo some deli turkey and he is not feeling very well. My friend looked it up on the computer, and it said turkey kills dogs, even worst than chocolate, i’ve always given him turkey for a treat, or a snack. Can someone tell me what i can do? He has not vomited, or had diarrhea. i have been trying to give him plenty of water, but he’s not taking much in, and does not want to eat. He just lays in his bed until i take him out. He’s much happier when he’s outdoors. Most of the time he sleeps. Please please can someone please help me tell me what to do. I have no money for a vet right now. He is my entire life. I will die if something happens to him. He is my life. Someone please give any advice.
The humane society allows people with financial difficulties money for a vet. They don’t give it to the person but to your vet. It’s usually $500. So call the humane society and see.
Just read that turkey and chicken are good for dogs. Not sure about birds but definitely a healthy treat for dogs.
My dog used to lay around depressed & sleep… not eating as well. Turns out he needed to get out more. My pup hated to be inside. He was locked in a kennel for most of his life until I got him. Pretty much 6 months in a kennel. He seemed to feel very confined in the house & hated cars. He would sometimes have like a panic attack. I started taking him outside more & he just started to agree with all aspects of being a house dog. He even likes a slow car ride & getting better about it every day. My pup was a rescue dog & just needed the right owner.
Fresh cooked turkey is normally fine. However, deli turkey has lots of additives and usually has extra ingredients such as onion powder, and anything onion is bad for dogs. Processed meats should not be eaten by dogs and only sparingly by humans. Generally, anything with sodium nitrite (in most processed meats) is toxic if eaten regularly.
Agreed. Thanks Heather for expanding on this.
The turkey might not have been the problem, maybe that particular deli meat wasn’t fresh or had a bacteria on it that effected your pup and not you. You can give a small amount of milk of magnesia and that should settle his/her tummy down. And as for the asshat who had nothing better to do than to get on here and offer insults instead of help, it is obvious he needs praying for, because he chose to insult someone rather than offer a helping hand. That is what I will be doing for him – Praying that he never comes across a situation that requires help that he is too, what was the word he used, dull in the head to know about. I pray that someone isn’t as rude to him and offers help instead of third grade insults. God bless and I hope by now your fur baby is well and happy!
As it was DELI Turkey check if it was flavored or spiced. If it was, it is likely there was something like onion, honey, or large amount of salt or some other spice which is not good for dogs. Ask the people that you bought it from for the ingredients on the label. All Deli meats have something added. Depending on what the added ingredient is will dictate what is to be done.
Hi Denise,
Not sure where you’re based but there are some wonderful animal charities all over the world who can help if you can’t afford a vet. Google PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals), SPCA/RSPCA ((Royal) Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), AHA (American Humane Association) or just “Animal charities near me” for details. There’s sure to be one nearby willing to help.
I realise you posted four months ago and (hopefully) no longer need this info, but it could prove useful if your dog has any future health issues. Hope your little guy is 100% frisky again by now – if not, it’s definitely not the turkey and he needs to see a professional who can advise you on the best course to take – immediately.
Shirley and Michelle on this thread also offer good advice – it’s not the turkey that’s at fault, it’s the fact that deli meats are heavily processed and almost always contain high volumes of salt and other additives that could harm your dog. Ignore Justin I Murphy. While your dog may well just be bored or lonely and need more exercise or attention, Justin has a pretty d*ckish and illiterate way of expressing himself. 😉
Don’t feed your dog deli meats of any kind…..that is people food…not for the dog! Dogs can have cooked ground turkey but not processed deli meats!
Every brand name company that makes dog food uses TURKEY. Both u and ur friend are very dull people!!! I find it irritating that people like you are even allowed to OWN dogs. There is such thing as a stupid question and u asked it!!! Your dog is BOARD and needs to go out for walks or maybe even a dog park. Make a friend with someone who also has a dog and basically arrange play dates for you dog. He’s sick of being stuck in the house and having to listen to you and ur dull friend!!!!
What is wrong w/ you to make such comments about people you do not even know! Keep your comments to yourself. If you do not have anything nice to say do not say anything at all.
Well you are rude! No question ever asked is stupid! But not asking questions can certainly limit your knowledge! Perhaps you should use a dictionary and look up the word board! Your choice of the word to describe a dog was incorrect! Perhaps you have a bored dog? You should learn what you obviously were not taught. Manners and consideration for others!
I see your post was actually 2 years ago, but it’s still here for people to read today. Hopefully, this can be updated by the owner or moderator of this site. I got here by googling if my dog can eat pork!
That’s how I got here too. Pork gives my lot the trots ( loose stool).
I realize that this was a year ago… but it just makes me so mad that Justin feels like he knows exactly what is going on. First off my dog’s lips will never and has never touched processed dog food. How would you like to eat dried cereal nuggets day in and day out? The dog and cats in my home get homemade.
You are killing your dogs personally then. Homemade dog foods are always lacking in nutrients
Very true. Many people especially lot of disabled people shouldn’t own dogs. And not being mean but I knew a dog that was mistreated terrible because the owner was in a wheelchair and couldn’t take properly care for the dog. And I had to call for the dog’s removal. So you down there don’t justify disabled as a reason its OK to mistreat a dog cause its not.
I’m disabled, and my dog is better cared for than I am! He’s my baby, my best friend, and I make sure he’s happy and fed before I do anything else! I don’t know about everyone else, but my dog isn’t just a pet, he’s the most important part of my life!
You do realize that there are many disabled people that rely on dogs to help them daily. For some, that is the only companion they have. And by the way, the animals, not just dogs, that are trained to help the disabled are treated very well, like a family member! Think about what you say before you say it and do not lump all disabled people into one category! I’m disabled and my animals are my family members!
Many disabled people have dogs because they are disabled. I think people like you shouldn’t have dogs or procreate.
Honestly I believe there are people out there who get entertainment from making derogatory comments! Stir the pot and sit back and wait to see how many people they can offend!
Honestly not every disabled person will mistreat their animal. Addizzil, Please do not generalize that everyone who is disabled will mistreat their animals. It’s not an OK reason. If you would have stopped and thought about helping the person with the animal instead of just having it removed. No doubt their heart was broken by losing their friend. Many disabled people have animals to help them have a better life and alert them to health issues and other problems they have. It goes beyond the blinders you are viewing things from. Supporting those who are lonely and need the companionship of these animals. And providing them with the care, walks, and assistance so that they can continue to have the companionship. Some non disabled people shouldn’t have dogs. It’s not limited to the disabled.
I know, I’m appalled at all the insults I’m seeing from a simple meal blog for dogs. How dare someone generalize disabled people! Certainly, disabled people can care and even owner and pet get companion. Also, the murphy character needs more on his plate as far as then learning how to feed a dog! How about learning how to treating people with dignity while conversing online! Unfortunately, people like this will come along.
Thank you Jill! I agree!
We had to take our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the vet the first Christmas we had him. The first question the vet asked was if we’d been letting him have turkey. It’s really common to poison small dogs with it. Turkey is too rich for smaller breeds. Don’t be too quick to judge people for being cautious.
What about just the breast meat of a turkey? Is it safe for a small dog, for even a big dog? LOIS
We recommend not giving your dog turkey. Better safe than sorry. As you can see, Amy’s dog didn’t handle the turkey well. Some dogs are fine with it, while others become ill. To keep your dog safe, stick to his/her normal diet.
Justin, Did you ever think that the owner is disabled? I am & I live where I don’t have any one to walk my dog. And it ‘bored’ not ‘board’. I do the best I can for her & we do play inside to make her not as bored. My hubby died this year and my dog is my companion. You don’t know that person to judge them harshly.
I rescued my staffyXlab from someone who kept her in a wardrobe. She was 2 when I got her. I thought she was staffyx whippet she was that starved. I was told sardines in sunflower oil were good for her coat where she hadn’t seen sun light. The person I rescued her from had a good job and wasn’t disabled. I’m however mentally ill and don’t work. Yet she is the happiest loving dovet dog these days with me. Cringes if you say the word cupboard tho. I was never a dog person before. So found the list of foods useful. I also buy vermtex for her natural product that contains garlic was told it kept ticks, flees and worms at bay. Had her 3 years now and never had a flee, tick or worm.
😉 Ben, please read up on garlic. Although it is a natural antibiotic for humans, it is toxic to dogs. You can obtain a list of foods that are toxic to dogs, just type foods that are dangerous to dogs in Google. Have a super day!
Actually Kimmy, garlic can be beneficial for dogs in small amounts. Small amounts is the key phrase here. Ingesting large amounts of garlic can be toxic for dogs.
I find it irritating and amusing that you feel the need to insult someone you don’t even know over the internet over something so trivial. Why do you care? You just seem like a troll with poor grammar. All you are doing is making yourself sound like the “dull” one. If you’re going to be a troll, do it to the people who actually deserve it, and learn how to spell.
Pretty sure she said she has a dog..not a BOARD. It’s called 3rd grade grammar..who looks “stupid” now? stu·pid (stoÌ…o̅′pÄd, styoÌ…o̅′-)
adj. stu·pid·er, stu·pid·est
1. Slow to learn or understand; obtuse.
2. Tending to make poor decisions or careless mistakes.
Hi Denise,
Regular turkey is okay for dogs but the nitrates used to preserve deli meats, including turkey, are what is bad for them. Assuming you did not feed him a lot of deli turkey, than this is unlikely to be the issue. And given he is not vomiting or suffering from diarrhea, he is likely just having a little stomach bug.
And if in a day or two he is still not eating/drinking, please call a vet to at least get some professional advice.
Thanks and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
I realize this is a very late reply but would like to offer it just the same for future reference. Rice settles the stomach of dogs. If your dogs get an upset tummy again, give them rice. If they won’t eat it, mix a little cooked chicken with it and give them time. I put my dog outside for about 3 hours after offering rice mixture to him. Since he refused to eat it initially, I thought the fresh air would do him good. When I brought him in and offered the rice to him again, he gobbled it up. I then brought him to his water bowl and encouraged him to drink to prevent dehydration. He drank a little; I praised him and he drank more. I was very frightened because he was vomiting and wouldn’t eat or drink.
All so true. Great Advice!!
Cured meats are bad for dogs and humans. No matter how expensive the brand is, it’s just as bad as the cheap stuff. Don’t feed it to your dog and don’t eat it yourself.
So true. Thanks Tom!
Great post. My daughter has been begging for a dog for about 2 years now. Now that she is older I think its time to get one for her but I have never had a dog before so I am doing as much research as possible like what are the best vitamins for dogs and what they can and can not eat. I had no idea how many foods could harm your dog, this was so helpful. Thanks so much for sharing.
After effects of parvo: one of my three dogs (2 brothers and their mother) had parvo when he was a few months old. Thankfully due to the brilliant work our vet did and a week in the clinic he survived and is now 3 years old. Every now and again both him and his brother give off the same smell he did when he had the virus.
Bullet the dog that caught the virus was never vaccinated as the vet said his body would now have generated its own antibodies, but his brother and mother were both vaccinated after he contracted the illness, luckily neither of them caught it and all three are happy healthy dogs.
The only problem is the smell, it’s just every few months for a few days, Does anyone know what it might be and how we can stop it, as it is really strong and makes the whole house smell.
In case you never got a decent reply. Your dog may have anal sac/s that needs to be drained by you or the vet. Due to the smell, I would let the vet do it. Or they eventually burst and yes it’s strong enough to send you outside in 0 degrees to get away, (another sign is dragging their bum on carpet/grass).
If you have to drain your dog’s anal glands with any sort of frequency then you are feeding them bad dog food. Healthy dogs dont needs their anal glands expressed. In fact you are hurting your dog by doing it so often. You wouldn’t manually drain in any other gland in your body, so why this one?
Routine manual expression will reduce the ability of the anal glands to work on their own. The condition of the glands becomes compromised, and ultimately they become completely ineffective.
I agree, we have our Chihuahua’s “butt pumped” once a month along with his nails clipped at the vet. Good luck & hope it works. 🙂
Most groomers offer anal sac expressing for less than $10. My dogs both go in for nail trims, anal gland expressing, as well as getting their eyes and ears cleaned on a monthly basis. It’s only about $20 plus tip for both dogs here in AZ, so I’m not sure what your local prices would be of course. I’d imagine it’d be about the same unless you go to one of those high end “pet spas”. LOL.
My aunt’s doberman had farts that would drive us out of the house. She had a habit of giving him our leftovers from dinner, mixed with his dog food, quite often. so between the meat and veggies, something in the bran/fiber or protein families gave him gas! Do you feed him cooked meats or leftover veggies from your meals?
I have two 8 month old puppies and one 1- year old dog. Puppies were vaccinated but not fully, did not get last shot. One puppy died last night and the other just started showing signs of parvo. Hoping he is strong enough to fight. He is being hand feed and liquids through a syringe. My older dog seems ok. He is up to date on shots also. My vet gave me a bag of fluids and meds to help the first puppy and now using it on the 2nd. He is keeping food down for now, but was very ill last night after the first one died, it was his brother. His sister who lives in same building is doing great also.
We really must be careful what we feed our dogs. What is safe to us, can be very different for a beloved pets. I am trying to create an ultimate source of information on what is, and what is not safe for dogs to eat. Human foods can be a great treat for dogs, you just have to know what you are doing.
Not enough emphasis was put on the type of chicken or turkey that’s okay for dogs — it does say okay to feed white meat but be warned: don’t give your dog the dark meat — especially turkey — very rich and high in fat.
We have a 7 month old puppy that has never been fed any table scraps at all, and are considering treating him to meat or bones. This article says not to feed raw meat. This is ridiculous–how do the authors believe that wolves and ancient dogs eat? They eat raw meat and bones. We have a neighbor who had three great Pyrenees (cannot spell their name) and they ate cooked eggs, raw meat, cooked meat, and bones. They were all very healthy, and when two of them passed, they were 11 and 14, both put down because they were old and in pain. We see no problem with feeding our dog meat, and some of these things seem ridiculous–how are we supposed to stop our dog from finding a pear or apple that fell off a tree and eating it? He already eats several pears, because we have pear trees and it’s hard to keep track of all the ones that fell off. Are you sure that these foods really aren’t safe?
Many human foods are okay for dogs to eat. For the most part they just need to be in moderation. However, I think people get carried away. They can't resist handing over tidbits from their plates, or other human food "treats" here and there. Over time this is bad for a dog's diet. Sticking to specific feeding times, and giving your dog food that is nutritionally designed for them, is far better over the long term.
While we may tend to treat our dogs and cats as children, NEVER give them the treats you'd give a child. FACT: Cats, though fussy eaters cannot taste sweet. Therefore a little bit of milk or cottage cheese is actually a better treat for your kitty than ice cream.
I disagree. According to Yahoo news. Milk is NOT good for cats. As a cat becomes an adult their digestive tract becomes lactose intolerant. While it might not kill them, it could cause diarrhea and other stomach upsets.
My friend got his black lab when it was a puppy from a farm. The dog used to munch on corn on the cob when it was a puppy and still loves to eat them to this day. I've never seen or heard that the dog had any problems with the cob or the corn. Have all the these things on the list been verified by credible sources? Not all dogs have problems with certain foods just like not all humans have problems with certain foods.
I believe they say that if the dog eats the cob that it could block the small intestine, not that the corn itself was bad for them.
Our black lab got the hulk of a corn on the cob stuck inside him and died as a result. I would say it’s best not to give these to your dog.
Corn cob’s can obstruct the stomach and/or intestines and can become life threatening. A friend’s dog had to have an emergency surgery due to eating a corn cob, and it almost cost the dog her life.
My sisters dog had 2000 dollar surgery from eating corn on the cob. Very bad for dogs!
Cob is dangerous!
Hi – In response to your question. It has cost me tons of money to have a small piece of cob removed from my dogs stomach. Cob is not digestable and therefor if it can’t pass the intestine the dog could die. Chance are that if your friends dog has eaten cob the cob is all still in its belly. The dog should be x-rayed to see.
My dog used to daintily eat the corn off the cob, just like a person would. So, the corn never caused a problem, but she certainly didn’t digest much of it, with most of it remaining intact!
This is why I will never give my dog a corn on the cob!
I've been feeding my 12 year old Dobe raw oily fish such as white bait/sardines/mackerel since he was a puppy and never had a problem?? Why would this be in the "not to feed your dog" list?? Or is that only meant for salmon?? Please let me know as I've started to feed this to my new puppy too. Very confused I know the oils in raw fish as well as DHA for bone and brain development is good for dogs…as well as a very shiny coat that it gives.
Hi Marlon . With anything raw you run the risk of parasites, however, the fish you need to be most concerned with are raw, anadromous fish (those born in fresh water, but spend a good portion of their lives in salt water, before returning to fresh water to breed) such as salmon, certain species of trout, smelt, shad, striped bass, and sturgeon. These are susceptible to a parasite that is extremely harmful to your pup. Hope this helps!
My husband and I noticed a few things with our dogs. Even though they have their regular dog chow they won't eat it until after they've had a snack. We have tried going all day with out giving them a treat to get them to eat their dried dog food but for some odd reason they absolutely refuse to eat their food until they get a treat then they are into their dried dog food. Also we have water delivered to us instead of drinking the tap water and we had so much at one time we decided to give it to the dogs. When we switched back to giving them the water out of the tap we noticed that they don't drink as much of it and when they did they seemed to have very watery diarrhea. Can any one answer these questions? We have decided to keep them on the filtered water because we just couldn't stand seeing them have reactions to just water like that. It sounds like we are spoiling them but I'm not sure if it was hurting them more than helping them. Just like we always make sure that when they get up in the morning we give them a treat right away because they have a tendency to throw up. I have 2 beagles; is this common in a beagle or any dog?
Hi, I have a cocker spaniel who knows the time. At exactly 7:20pm she is sitting at my feet looking from me to her treats and back. I've done everything to move the time back to 8:00pm but to no avail. She wants her snack at 7:20pm. I decided I won't win this one so we have treats at 7:20pm.
As for the bottled water, ALWAYS GIVE YOUR PETS BOTTLED OR FILTERED WATER. I learned this from my vet after a trip to the hospital. My cockers tear stains are gone, her ears haven't been inflamed in ages and her system moves as it should. She has more energy and her breath is better. They put so many chemicals in our water supply NOBODY should be drinking it.
For cost efficiency get one of those auto water dishes, three gallon size and just fill it at your local Walmart. Of all the things I have done to keep my Abby healthy bottled water was by far the cheapest and most efficient.
Under your list of foods NOT to give your dog you said…
Bones (uncooked) – When it comes to bones, he danger that cooked bones can easily splinter when chewed by your dog. Raw (uncooked) bones, however, are appropriate and good for both your dog's nutritional and teeth.
I think you need to fix that so it reads COOKED and not uncooked.
My vet says uncooked bones, not cooked.
Thanks, Dee. We'll make this change.
I have a German Shepherd, Boxer, Pit Bull mix who is obsessed with eggs. Scrambled, hard boiled, anyway you cook them she loves it. I'm happy to see that eggs are good for her 🙂
My dog is eating my slippers how can I get him to stop?
We have actually trained our dogs to know which shoes or slippers they can play with and which ones they can't. We just took an old pair that we were going to throw away and told them it was ok and said no to the other ones that were good. Our one dog (a beagle about 2 1/2) always brings me a shoe when he sees me coming in the door to bring it to me. It's actually kind of neat how he knows that when I say no to him if its a good shoe he drops it right away and then will grab the old one and bring it to me. You just have to make sure that you make it clear to them which one is the good one and which one they can play with. I know that dogs are so adorable that you just want to say yes to everything that they do but you have to draw the line somewhere. Also my youngest dog thinks that every time he goes outside to go potty that he gets a treat but my husband has a tendency to give in to him and I'm trying to "train" my husband that its okay to say no to them. LOL.
How about maybe putting the “good” shoes away?
How about maybe putting the “good” shoes away?
Take the fricken slippers away from him and grow a spine!!!
Some items listed here, and elsewhere, are probably toxic and I just will not take a chance. But some items are just crazy, much like feeding rice to wild birds will make them explode… (caged birds probably not a good idea and they need a variety), but wild birds will be fine, imagine how many exploded birds would be around a rice, (and for that matter any grain), field. It is a tale started by the poor guys cleaning up after a wedding.
Any food in large amounts is bad, for humans as well as for dogs. Trimming a large pork shoulder of fat and plopping it into a dog food bowl is bad. But if you boil it, along with the bones, and make a broth to mix with the regular dog food, (minus the bones), adds to the flavor of the dry food. I do the same with leftover chicken and turkey for the broth and remove the bones, except for the tail and some back bone slips in and the very end of wing tips.
My last dog, a large outdoor dog lived to a little over 18 years and she got a lot of foods that are listed as toxic in here, to wit, Thai Food, (my ex is Thai), including onions, garlic, mushrooms and HOT peppers. Yeah, in small quantities over all and only mixed with regular dry dog food. I don't allow begging, always mixed people food with her dog food in her eating bowl and place.
Anything with BBQ sauce has a lot of onion powder and garlic, and although cooked, I do allow my dogs to have those bones in moderation, (one or two at the most). Again, I'll boil the heck out of the rest of them and use the broth and whatever was left on the bone to mix with their food.
I originally found this site researching apples, because my GSD watches the deer under the apple tree eating apples and she gets curious and I find half eaten apples all over the yard. Again, I think she'd have to eat about a bushel of apples to get enough seeds to have any problem.
Every dog I've owned has had pork, always cooked except maybe a bone from the butcher.
My dog likes yogurt is this ok?
I actually read online, while looking for things I could feed my pregnant dog and they actually recommended feeding them yogurt. I would say so.
A couple clarifications to make: garlic in small amounts is beneficial to your dog. Your article states all of it is poison and does not say in what amount, thus making the section inaccurate – and many treats/dog foods contain small amounts. One benefit includes making your dog more pest resistant — fleas hate garlic.
Secondly, I would say "cooked bones" instead of simply bones. Uncooked bones (raw bones) don't splinter, like your article states. Raw bones can be consumed safely, and have many, many health benefits and dental benefits. Given you're using it as your graphic, I feel correcting this inaccuracy is particularly important.
I copied what the post said regarding garlic.
Garlic — Garlic is OK — and even beneficial — for your dog in small amounts.
It was onions that was in the “do not feed”, not garlic. The reason I got the one was because I thought there was a contradiction and saw that it was onions. It probably got confused because in our mines there married. I don’t know but either way above is what was said about garlic.
I notice that garlic is listed as toxic on every website that has a list of foods toxic to dogs. However, it is found as an ingredient in many dog foods and snacks, as well as homemade treats for dogs. Something just doesn't add up.
If dairy products are harmful to dogs, why has every vet I have ever had recommended cottage cheese and yogurt (without artificial sweetener) as a way to build up the "good" bacteria in the intestinal tract?
Our dog Rosie eats her own feces and probably also eats that of the neighborhood cats. She had been indoors in a large crate at a rescue center for 1.5 years before we adopted each other, which was years ago. She is fantastic except for that. Is there anything we can do to help her stop (and freshen her breath!)?
I had this problem with my big dog, started to give her banana mixed with her food took about 2-3 months and she finally stopped eating her poo! Maybe she was missing vitamins or minerals I tried this after seeing an episode of Cesar, the dog whisperer that treated this topic. I also give her some pineapple pieces once in awhile she loves it! Hope this helps!
My pup is 7 months old and just recently has taken to eating his feces. Would like to know if there is anyway of stopping him and is it harmful to him. He gets diarrhea quite often too.
I’ve been told by vets and my mom was told my Guide dogs school for the blind, to mix in spinach in their diet. If he is sharing a yard with other dogs you would need to feed them all spinach. It will make him not want to eat it.
She's lacking potassium. I heard banana helps.
I would just like to add my two cents worth here and say, rather stay away from bones altogether. I nearly lost one dog to choking on a chop bone, and my little JR had to have tooth and gum surgery after cracking a tooth on a bone. For those who insist on giving a bone, make sure it is one solid piece, far too big for the dog to swallow, and take it away from the dog after half an hour in order to avoid tooth and gum damage. Todays dog pellets are designed to combat gum disease and tartar build up, if in doubt simply ask your vet to recommend a brand, so there should be no need to give dogs bones. What they've never had, they won't miss.
I also wanted to point out dog pellets and kibble will not scrape off tarter. They actually cause a lot of gum disease, build up, and smelly breath. Kibble is soft enough to be broken down by a human like some of our crunchier foods and that doesn’t scrape tartar off of our teeth. Only things like bones and hard chews will knock of the tartar and prevent costly dental cleanings and dental bills.
What kind of bones were they being given? You should only allow them to freely chew on soft raw bones like necks, backs, any uncooked chicken bones. They will grind them up and eat them and this is fine. The danger is when it’s a large hard bone (or cooked bones) like a femur that they are gnawing on. Hard bones you give your dog should be larger than their head so they cannot grab on to gnaw or swallow it.
“dog pellets” don’t combat tartar build up. It creates tartar. Dog food companies only claim that but it is total bs. Bones clean dogs teeth. Yes, they have to be big.
I know it sounds gross, but my dog digs up earthworms (or maybe sucks them out of the lawn) and then eats them. What she doesn't eat she smooshes her face in and then rolls on them. Not only does her breath smell really bad but she then also has wormy body odor. I worry about diseases like salmonella or girardia plus it's just plain gross. Any comments?
My 3 little dogs come in the house smelling like they've rolled around on a decomposing animal occasionally. I always check the entire yard for whatever it may be, but never find anything. Now I know that it must be earthworms. Thanks for posting this. Very helpful! Now I just dump our used coffee grounds behind the shed where the dogs cannot access and the worms stay in that area to feed on it. Problem solved. That is one of the worst smells ever and I really isn't fun to have 3 miniature pinchers jumping all over you and your couch when they reek of death.
Hi Jean, earthworms themselves aren't a cause for worry but more the bacteria and parasites they come across in the soil, specifically roundworms. Be sure to regularly check your dog's stool for the parasitic worms and, if you find them, work with your vet on a de-worming program. Hope this helps!
They eat what they eat and will throw up and you can see worms. Don't check your dog's poop every time because of this moron.
Are unsalted roasted sunflower seeds okay for dogs to eat?
How about clay soil. One just dug a hole and ate clay soil…then the other joined in, eating a clump the size of a large marble. It did break down as she ate it so not huge piece went in her belly. I've been giving the dog vitamins lately.
Great information! I had no idea about some of those foods.
How about jalapenos, bell peppers and spinach? My dog loves them…without the seeds, of course. I've only given her small slivers (uncooked) at a time and make sure there are no seeds present. The spinach is raw, too. She likes to chew the leaves. I've not noticed any side effects after she eats these. Do you know if they're okay to give her?
Hi Carol. Jalapenos are OK but may upset the digestive system. Bell peppers are also OK, as is spinach (in small doses.) We didn't find anything on sunflower seeds, and in regard to clay, your dog could be eating it for a number of reasons, from boredom to mineral deficiency. We recommend asking your vet to find out more.
I recently started feeding my Pit/Lab mixed puppies cooked hamburger meat. I have one question why are they not really drinking much water? They are three months old. Any reply would be appreciated.
They are not drinking because the meat has juices so you need to do that less and only leave the water bowl out. Worked for me.
All you dog lovers out there, please consider adding coconut oil and Turmeric to your dogs food. So many health benefits and a little goes a long way. My dog had a red rash from something he rolled in and the coconut oil put directly on his skin cleaned it up in no time. Look up all the ways these can benefit you and your Best Friend.
Can u provide a link please?
That stuff (coconut oil and turmeric) are excellent for human health too, so I don’t doubt they’d be excellent for canine health. Wikipedia has all the answers you may need. Coconut oil used to be thought of as a bad fat, but turns out it has medium chain fatty acids that are great for your metabolism. Plus it’s a clean non-GMO non-pesticide source of oil. Turmeric is a classic healthy herb, tons of literature about its positive effects only one google search away.
Hi, is it okay to feed my dog a hot dog? I have a Shih Tzu and he loves eating them. Any problems?
Hot dogs, like all processed meats, contain high levels of sodium. Dogs should not eat processed meats.