How can you resist that face? I mean, he looks so hungry and there you are with your full plate of steaming hot delicious food. It's the holidays and he should have a treat too! You're torturing him! Well, just so you know, dogs always look hungry. It's a survival mechanism that began long ago when wolves first crept around our campfires. They learned to be cute to get our scraps. We're suckers for sure. Now, grab a hold of your pity and steady your resolve because those left-overs are bad for Fido and you won't be doing him any favors. The problem with most people food is the manner in which it is cooked. Chicken, for instance, is fine as long as it's not covered in spices, salt, and oil. Since almost all of our food is seasoned, it's just safer not to give table scraps to your pet. I've compiled a list here of foods that are big no-no's for dogs and cats. The afflictions that these foods cause range from vomiting and diarrhea to kidney damage, toxicity, and death. To have a safe holiday and not spend it at the vet's office, this is what you should avoid:
- Chocolate, Tea, Coffee, and anything with caffeine.
- Citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruit)
- Raw garlic
- Grapes, Raisins
- Hops - That's beer to you and me.
- Macadamia Nuts
- Onions, onions, onions!
- Pepper
- Blackberries
- Salt
- Avocado
- Spices - Most are harmful so just stay away from them all.
- Spinach
- Raw yeast dough
- Bones - Buy the ones from the pet store and don't give ones from your table. They are too small and can cause choking and stomach perforation.
- Fat trimmings- This is a favorite scrap of many people but it can actually cause pancreatitis.
- Mushrooms
- Raw eggs
- Vitamins containing Iron
- Dairy - It's not toxic but don't give it to your pup or kitty on a regular basis.
