5 Human foods that can harm, or even kill, your dog.

Did you know that there are lots of human foods out there that can make your dog sick? Possibly even kill them? Here is a list of 5 common foods that can be found in a lot of kitchens but should NEVER be given to a dog.  I know, I know we’ve all done it. We look into those big puppy eyes, those eyes that are pleading with us for just one small piece…I love you…I wont tell…and you cave. You get suckered and give your dog a piece of your meal. "But he's so cute, what harm is there?"

Well, for the dog there could be a lot of harm depending on what you fed him. I wont say that I’ve never fed my dog some scraps because that would be a bald faced lie BUT what I will tell you is to be careful in what human food you do give them because unlike us, some of our foods can greatly harm and even kill our pets.

Here’s a list of the top 5 most common ones that people might not know about:

Avocado: If you’re anything like me, you love avocado. From a toast spread, to putting it to your sandwich and adding it to your salad for dinner. Avocado in all in variations tastes good to me but be careful because the thing you love can actually be poisonous to dogs. Avocado leaves, barks, seeds and fruit may contain persin which can cause an upset stomach, diarrhoea and vomiting in dogs.

Caffeine: Any caffeine can be fatal to dogs. Depending on the type and amount ingested, the signs seen can range from vomiting, increased thirst, abdominal discomfort and restlessness to severe agitation, muscle tremors, irregular heart rhythm, high body temperature, seizures and death. Dogs showing more than mild restlessness should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. So make sure you don’t share any of your coffee, tea or chocolate with your furry friend no matter how much they beg. You know better than they do what they can have. There are many other products that contain caffeine too so make sure you check before giving them to you dog.

Cooked Bones: What’s the difference between cooked and uncooked bones you might ask? The difference is that cooked bones are a greater danger for your dogs. They more easily splinter when a dog is eating them which mean they can become lodged in your pets throat. Can we say "OUCH!" Not to mention a serious choking hazard.

Grapes and Raisins: These little snacks can actually cause kidney failure in dogs so don’t give them to your pooch. You should also make sure you pick up any strays that may drop to the floor when you eat them because ingesting even a small amount can make your dog sick. Repeated vomiting is a sign that they may have eaten some and your dog will become lethargic and depressed. So make sure your best friend is never within reach of these.

Bread Dough/Yeast: Yeast poses a serious danger to your pet. Have you ever watched bread rise? This is a reaction of the yeast in the bread that makes the bread rise and horribly this reaction can occur in your dogs stomach if he ingests it. The stomach acts a bit like an oven, where the warm environment makes the yeast rise. This in turn results in an expanding mass of dough in your dog’s stomach. Expansion of the stomach may be severe enough to decrease blood flow to the stomach wall, resulting in the death of tissue. Additionally, the expanding stomach may press on the diaphragm, resulting in breathing difficulty. Perhaps more importantly, as the yeast multiplies, it produces alcohols that can be absorbed, resulting in alcohol intoxication. Affected dogs may have distended abdomens and show signs such as a lack of coordination, disorientation, stupor and vomiting (or attempts to vomit). In extreme cases, coma or seizures may occur and could lead to death from alcohol intoxication. Dogs showing mild signs should be closely monitored, and dogs with severe abdominal distention or dogs who are so inebriated that they can’t stand up should be monitored by a veterinarian until they recover.

So next time you bring out a snack for your friend just remember that human food doesn’t always = safe food for your dog.

Sometimes the best way to show our love is by NOT giving them what they want. Remember YOU'RE the parent, YOU know best:)