There are certain food items that should not be consumed by a dog. In our day-to-day life as dog parents, we sometimes don’t realize what we are giving our fur babies might not be the best thing for them. Especially, food items that compromise their health. In order to avoid feeding them such things, we need to identify them first. So, take a look at the following 10 things that you shouldn’t feed a dog.

No matter how much your dog likes them, there are certain things that can be very derogatory for their health and we must keep them away. We cannot always for the puppy face, even though it’s so hard not to!

8 things that are not good for a dog’s health-

1. Chocolate/ Coffee/ Caffeine

   
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   Any food item that contains caffeine can be harmful to your dog. Chocolates and coffee contain a substance called methylxanthines. Methylxanthines can cause various health problems in dogs, such as vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, and even death in some cases.
   
   Do not panic if you gave your dog a piece of chocolate or something, these things are harmful when given in large quantities and regularly.
   
   But that does not mean your pooch can’t enjoy dog chocolates. Yes! You heard it right. There are chocolates made especially for dogs that do not contain methylxanthines and are perfectly fine for your pooch’s health.
   
   
   

2. Onions and Tomatoes

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   While these vegetables are very common in our kitchen, they are not to be added to your pooch’s meals. Onions can cause a severe decrease in your dog’s platelet count as they contain compounds called disulfides and thiosulphates. Onions damage red blood cells and can lead to health problems such as hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia, and methemoglobinemia.
   
   Tomatoes also should not be given to dogs for consumption. They can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, and even can cause kidney stones.
   
   
   

3. A Full Apple

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   If your dog likes to eat apples, then try to give it after peeling the skin and cutting off the middle part that has seeds. Seeds have cyanide which is a toxic substance and can be lethal. It can lead to vomitings, breathlessness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and even cardiac arrest.
   
   

4. Sweet or Artificially-sweetened Stuff

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   Any form of sweet is not good for your dog. Artificial sweeteners like Xylitol can be very commonly found in dog products and must not be included in their diet. Sugar can lead to an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, hair fall, and so much more.
   
   
   

5. Unbalanced Home Diet

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   Many dog parents or guardians prefer giving their dogs home food, as they believe it is organic and not added with unnecessary preservatives. Even though that is a good approach, home food has to be balanced with nutrition in order to keep your pooch healthy. Try to look for home food items that will suffice the nutrition your dog needs.
   
   
   

6. Junk Food

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   Junk food is a big no-no for a dog. Not that it’s healthy for humans also, junk food can lead to serious health issues in dogs if given regularly.
   
   
   

7. Garlic

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   Garlic is a very common ingredient of our kitchens, however, it’s not something that you should include in your dog’s diet. Garlic is considered to be 5 times as potent as onions so you can imagine how harmful it is for your pooch.
   
   
   

8. Gum

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   Again, gums contain artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol. And only 0.1 grams of Xylitol per 2.2 pounds of body weight can cause hypoglycemia, while only . 5 grams can cause liver failure. Why not just avoid giving it to your dog?
   
   
   

To sum it up-

There are more of such food items that are very commonly found in our kitchen, but should not be given to dogs. Please read about the effects of certain food items before giving it to a dog for consumption. And keep in mind to avoid sugar, caffeine, and anything that has seeds in it. Seems like your dog can't easily find anything to eat? Well, that's not true at all. There are so many snacks that you can give to your dog, homemade and even store-bought, Check out these amazing snacking options for dogs here.