By Amanda Black, Reader's Digest
Summer signals the start of backyard barbecue season, but before you give your pooch a taste of what’s cooking, be sure it’s OK for dogs to eat.
If you’re doing summer right, you’re entertaining. Whether it’s in the backyard, by the pool, or around a barbecue, as long as you’re surrounded by good food and great company, summer will be the highlight of your year. If you’re like me, though, that means you’re sometimes taking your eyes off the pups. Wherever there’s food, they’ll be there begging for scraps and picking up anything that’s accidentally (or intentionally) dropped on the ground. Here’s what you should look out for to make sure your favorite pooch doesn’t devour it.
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Summer signals the start of backyard barbecue season, but before you give your pooch a taste of what’s cooking, be sure it’s OK for dogs to eat.
If you’re doing summer right, you’re entertaining. Whether it’s in the backyard, by the pool, or around a barbecue, as long as you’re surrounded by good food and great company, summer will be the highlight of your year. If you’re like me, though, that means you’re sometimes taking your eyes off the pups. Wherever there’s food, they’ll be there begging for scraps and picking up anything that’s accidentally (or intentionally) dropped on the ground. Here’s what you should look out for to make sure your favorite pooch doesn’t devour it.
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Grapes
They
may seem harmless, but grapes (and raisins) are incredibly toxic for
dogs. While vets don’t know what exactly causes the bad reaction, dogs
can quickly experience vomiting and, later, possibly even kidney
failure.
Avocado
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a little avocado should be OK, it’s best to avoid the fruit altogether.
Avocados contain persin, which can be toxic for dogs. It’s in the meat,
pit and skin, so you should keep your pups away from the guacamole
dish. If you happen to grow avocados, keep your eye out for any dropped
fruit.
Bones that splinter
Just
because your dog’s favorite toy is a bone, doesn’t mean all bones are
safe. Baby back rib bones, T-bones and chicken bones easily splinter,
and if swallowed can be incredibly harmful. If you’re serving any of the
above, make sure it’s clear to your guests that the remnants should not
be given to your pup.
Bacon
This
breakfast staple, along with other fatty foods like meat scraps, can
cause pancreatitis in pups. While one nibble here or there isn’t the end
of the world, don’t make it a habit, otherwise, the dog’s pancreas can
become inflamed and stop functioning. Bacon is also very high in salt,
which isn’t good for dogs, either.
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Chocolate
This
should go without saying, but some people still don’t know that
chocolate is extremely toxic for man’s best friend. It’s worse for some
breeds than others, but you should generally operate with the assumption
that your dog should never get even a morsel of the good stuff.
Garlic
A
member of the Allium family (which also includes chives, onions and
leeks), garlic is very toxic for our furry friends. According to the
American Kennel Club, “Garlic can create anemia in dogs, causing side
effects such as pale gums, elevated heart rate, weakness and
collapsing.”
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Ice cream
While
ice cream is OK in moderation, dogs don’t digest dairy very well. Still
want to give them a treat on a hot dog? Freeze some berries and give
them to your dog as a sweet, cool treat.
Any kind of alcohol
If
your dog licks up a few drops of your favorite India Pale Ale that
splashed on the ground, there’s no need to freak. BUT, if they manage to
lap up half your glass when you’re not looking, you should phone a vet.
Alcohol has the same effect on our pups as it does us, but it takes far
less to cause diarrhea, vomiting, breathing problems or worse.
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Macadamia nuts
While
peanuts are 100 percent OK for our dogs to eat, macadamia nuts are
actually quite poisonous for them. The nuts can affect their nervous
system, causing vomiting, increased body temperature and lethargy.
Peaches and plums
[post_ads]The
actual fruit in peaches and plums is OK for dogs to eat, but if the
animals get their paws on the entire thing, odds are they’ll devour it
pit and all. That’s where the problem lies. The seed can block a dog’s
intestines, but perhaps worse, the pit contains a form of cyanide, which
is terribly poisonous to dogs and humans alike.
Coffee
You
should never let your dog dip into your iced coffee cup. The stimulant
methylated xanthine makes a dog’s nervous system go into overdrive.
Symptoms include vomiting, restlessness, heart palpitations or worse.
So what can dogs eat? Generally, lean meats, veggies (such as carrots), peanut butter and other tasty treats are healthy for our pups. If you’re ever unsure about a food you want to share, always check first. Better safe than sorry!
See more at: Reader's Digest
