Human Foods That Are Toxic To Dogs

We’ve all fallen victim to those big, ol’ puppy-dog eyes at the dinner table. You’ve probably caved under those pleading, heartstring-tugging gazes and fed your pup the odd scrap from your plate. However, not all foods are good for your pooch. In fact, there are plenty of human-friendly foods that are downright toxic. These might not seem like a good enough reason to rush to the vet, but believe it or not, you may yet find yourself dipping into your pet insurance yet.

Avocado

It turns out, every Millennial’s favourite superfood is a dog’s health nightmare. This is due to a fungicidal toxin called persin. While this is harmless to humans, large quantities can be highly dangerous to your pup. This toxin may cause vomiting or diarrhoea in dogs. If you grow avos at home, make sure you keep your dog away from the plants, since the toxin is present, not only in the fruit itself, but also in the leaves, seed and bark. What’s more, the sizeable seed can get stuck in the intestines or stomach, and this obstruction could prove fatal. If you catch your dog chowing down at the guacamole bowl, call your pet insurance company and get your goodest boy to the vet.

Alcohol

Your sundowner has the same effect on a dog’s liver and brain as it does on yours – only it takes a lot less to do more damage your pup’s body. Even a little beer, wine, liquor, or even food with alcohol can hurt your dog. It can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing problems, coma, and even death! The smaller the dog, the more dire the effects.

Caffeine

The same stuff that perks us up in the morning is sadly also capable of putting your dog into that long sleep. Anything with caffeine, like coffee, tea, energy drinks, and even some cold medicines and painkillers, can prove fatal. If you suspect your dog may have ingested caffeine in one form or another, get your pooch to the vet as soon as possible!

Chocolate

It might be our favourite treat, but it can prove deadly to our sweet fur babies. While a little dark chocolate may be good for us, it can be detrimental for our pups. The issue lies in theobromine, which is present in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate, can cause your dog to vomit and have an upset stomach. In the more extreme cases, it can also cause heart problems, seizures, and death. Rather keep curious paws out of the family sweetie jar.

Fat Trimmings and Bones

This one may be the strangest on the list. Just think about how excited your pup gets at the sight of a big, juicy bone. However, both cooked and uncooked fat trimmed from meat can cause pancreatitis in dogs. And the bones? These can splinter and do some serious damage to your dog’s digestive system.

Image: Adobe Stock / AnnaFotyma

What Can Pet Insurance Do For Your Poisoned Pup?

Apart from pet medical insurance, taking care with your pet’s diet can save you a lot of money in vet bills. At the end of the day, the best person to consult about your dog’s diet is your local vet. However, both consultation and emergency surgeries can cut into your savings. That’s where a pet medical aid can spare your savings for happy days. Apply for pet insurance quotes in minutes!