Some human foods are safe for dogs while others can be harmful or even toxic say, Dr R Selvakkumar, Dr A Clement Ebanezer Henry & Dr N Balamurugan
Dogs are delightful companions and cherished members of our families, offering us comfort and joy, especially when we are feeling low. In return, it is our responsibility to ensure they receive proper care and maintain good health. A significant aspect of their well-being is their diet, which should be carefully balanced to meet their nutritional requirements. since our pets rely entirely on us for their dietary needs, it’s essential to be cautious when selecting their food. While some human foods may be safe for dogs in moderation, others can be harmful or even toxic. Therefore, we must exercise caution when introducing any new or unfamiliar treats to our furry friends. Harmful foods that should be avoided for dogs include:
Chocolate
Chocolates are meant for celebration! Yes, but only for us not for our pets. Dogs are easily affected by chocolate toxicosis because of their indiscriminate eating habits and easy access to sources of chocolate. The chief toxic compounds in chocolate are the methylxanthines theobromine and caffeine. Both are more or less similar compounds and cause similar clinical signs such as an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, anxiety, tremors and seizures. Further, severity of the toxicosis depends on the percentage of the above toxic components present in the chocolate. commonly, the chocolates with darker colour and bitter taste are rich in the above two components. Immediate attention of the vet is must in severe cases.
Avocado
The avocado, alligator pear or avocado pear is an evergreen tree in the laurel family which is native of America. This fruit is a main ingredient in the preparation of Guacamole, a Spanish food item. The toxic component in avocado is Persin. studies have been conducted and show that avocado is not highly toxic to dogs when they eat the pulp in small quantity but too much might cause vomiting or diarrhoea in dogs. However, ingestion of the pit may make them ill. avocado pits can become stuck in the intestines or stomach and result in obstruction.
Alcohol
The effect of alcohol in dogs is similar to that in humans. Further, the effect of alcohol depends upon the percentage of alcohol in the drinks and also the body size of the pet. The beverages like beer contain less than five per cent of ethanol and drinks like brandy and whiskey contain more than 40 per cent of ethanol. Hence, intake of whiskey or brandy is more severe than beer. alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, incoordination, breathing difficulties, coma and even death. alcohol and products containing alcohol should be kept in a safe place, out of reach of your pets.
Allium species poisoning
Allium species consist of onion, leek, chive and garlic and they are the unavoidable ingredients for Indian style culinary. Further, they are also used as ingredients in many ethnomedical treatments.
allium species contain a wide variety of organ sulfoxides, converted into a complex mixture of sulphur containing organic compounds while crushing or slicing. In many cases, consumption of an allium specially causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, irritation of oral cavity, drooling of saliva, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In severe cases, red blood cells are destroyed due to the damage of red blood cell membranes which will result in anaemia. anaemic conditions will lead to oxygen demand for vital organs, increased heart rate, respiratory rate, weakness, discoloured urine, kidney damage, collapse and even death.
Xylitol poisoning
Xylitol is a naturally occurring ingredient that is generally used as a sugar substitute and is found naturally in berries, corn, lettuce, oats, plums, mushrooms, trees and some fruits. Xylitol is used to sweeten sugar-free products, such as gums, candies, mints, peanut butter and baked items.
Pets are affected by xylitol poisoning when they are ingesting xylitol or xylitol-containing products. In dogs, xylitol triggers a rapid, dose-dependent insulin release that can results in profound hypoglycaemia. clinical signs will be vomiting, weakness, ataxia, lethargy, seizures, and coma.
Grape, raisin, and tamarind
These fruits contain tartaric acid, an organic acid. Dogs excrete organic acids very poorly, allowing tartaric acid to accumulate in the proximal renal tubular cells. clinical signs of grape, raisin or tamarind toxicosis are vomiting or diarrhoea, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, weakness, dehydration, polydipsia and shivering.
Ice cream
Ice cream is not an ideal treat for dogs. Ice cream may contain chocolate, sweetening agents like Xylitol and added raisin (black currant ice cream) which all causes illness in dogs. some dogs experience lactose intolerance if fed with ice cream.
