July 2014
Summer Friendly Foods Your Dog Should Stay Away From
By
Remember our January/February 2008 issue when Dr. Ben J. Character talked about starting the New Year off right with what you feed your pups? Well, in our July pass-along, here are six summertime treats to avoid sharing with your dog.
As a lab owner, you know that they can instantly produce about five gallons of saliva at the first clink of a fork – but when you give your Lab a treat, make sure it doesn’t contain anything harmful.
Alcoholic beverages: Not only can carbonation cause gastric torsion, or bloating, the hops used to make beer, grapes for wine, and other ingredients for alcoholic beverages are extremely toxic and are known to cause malignant hypothermia, a coma, and death in dogs.
Dairy: It may be tempting on a hot day to share your ice cream cone with your dog, but most dogs are lactose intolerant and the dairy will cause digestive issues. Ask your local ice cream shop for Frosty Treats – a safe delicious way cool your four-legged friends on a summer day.
Grapes & Raisins: Are highly toxic to dogs, containing an unknown toxin that causes severe liver and kidney failure. A handful of grapes, or a small box of raisins, is enough to kill a dog. Human Vitamin Supplements that contain Iron can also damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs, including the liver and kidneys.
Fatty Foods: Can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Ingestion of high amounts of fats – like those found in table scraps – can lead to pancreatitis and a possible trip to the Emergency Room! In addition, large amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.
Fruit Toxins: While apples can be a tasty treat, the seeds release cyanide when digested. Be sure to core the apple before you feed it to your dog. Peach and plum pits can cause an intestinal obstruction and also contain cyanide. Keep those pits away from your pup! Avocados contain Persin, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart congestion in dogs.
Corn: Giving your dog corn on the cob is a sure way to cause an intestinal blockage. Additionally, too much corn can cause an upset stomach.
Additional foods to avoid giving to your four-legged best friends are macadamia nuts, moldy or spoiled foods, garbage, mushrooms, onions and garlic, cat food, and baby food. For various reasons, each of these foods contain a toxin that can affect the digestive and nervous system, muscle and bones, and other organs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, shock and death.
If you’re looking to try a tasty treat for this summertime heat, try a homemade Watermelon Pupsicle. Use a melon baller or cut seedless watermelon into small cubes, lay flat on a sheet or plate and freeze overnight. Store in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag for an easy freezy healthy pupsicle!
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