Comments on: Toxic Foods for Dogs

By: jen

jen — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:22:28 +0000

My german sherpard has a history of seizures (not all the time) she went to the vet and had blood work done and everything came back normal. I am thinking it is in herdog food. Yes, every once in awhile i would throw her a french fry or give her alittle bit of peanut butter but nothing of huge amounts. About a month ago she had a seizure and after it was over i took her outside and before i got her to the back yard she had another one. That was the first time she had 2 within minutes. Then the other night (night before thanksgiving) i gave her a taste of peanut butter and right after she had a seizure and then had a second one after it. Then 9 hours later (thanksgiving morning) she had 2 more back to back. I figured it has to be in her food. I have just this AM changed to Rachel Rays Nutrish because it looks to be all natural. I want to know if anyone has this problem with their dog and what you do. I don’t want to put my dog on medication if I don’t have to. Natural good foods is what I am looking to do now. Thank You

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:25:15 +0000

Peanut butter (any sticky butter) can be leathel if too much is given at one time, for animals or kids. Sticky foods can get caught in the throat and it’s impossible to do the heimlach on the animal or kid. If you can’t clear it with your fingers…My dogs get some peanut butter, but just a pea sized dab off my finger as a special treat.

Also - watch out for bags that most foods come in - potato chips, cereal, cookie (people or dog), dog treat bags, etc. Dogs have been known to suffocate (it happened to a sheltie I knew, only 3 years old) in the bag trying to eat everything in it.

My dogs gets eggs - egg yolks are ok raw, too many egg whites can cause a biotin problem, best to cook those. Egg whites are a great protein source for a kidney dog - VERY low phosphorus.

Too much garlic (onion family) can cause anemia in dogs.

When giving something new to your dog (dog food or people food), always try just a small amount to see how they do with it. I always try things earlier in the day during the week - if there is a problem (allergic reaction, etc), my vet is open, no expensive trip to the ER!

A raw food diet (IMO, but I am not able to do that myself for my dogs at this time) is the best for dogs.

Commercial dog food only became widely popular in the 20th century. When looking for a good commercial food, look for meat (not by-products) first, then second and third: whole grains (if grain is in the food, not corn, soy or wheat - high allergens and not easily digestable, not leftovers either - like brewers rice) or vegetables and fruits (again, no leftovers - like beet pulp, tomato pumice). No chemical preservatives or added colors/flavorings. Good food doesn’t need flavorings. If an ingredient is listed more than once in different formats, the combination of the formats often puts that ingredient at the higher/highest percentage in the food, before the protein source (most often seen in low quality food: two sources of corn or soybeans).

Good quality commercial dog/cat food will be more expensive, but your pets will be healthier and live longer. Also, look into your dog treat ingredients.

Whole Dog Journal is a very good publication, not just great info for food but treats, toys, etc.

By: christina

christina — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:23:17 +0000

I’m very confused because my puppy loves peanut butter as do all dogs that i know. Also she and my in-laws dogs are crazy for raw eggs and it is supposed to help keep their coat healthy and its a good source of protein also my puppy comes running when I cook with garlic and I read that it also helps keep fleas away and it hasn’t seemed to bother her

By: CL

CL — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:56:29 +0000

Go to the page provided and read the information. They are not extremely dangerous- matter of fact, they even say the items on the list are not toxic. Apples, for example, are Ok; the stems and leaves are not- but who feeds their dog apple leaves? Avacados are fine, the skin is not; raw eggs pose a treat to anyone, but eating a raw egg does not equal instant death. Monitor your dog as you would yourself. If you change your diet, you can upset your stomach- same with animals. I feed my dogs (chihuahua, boxer, sheppard) dry dog food and throw in mangos as a treat every now and then. I also give them frozen tubes of yogurt, venison or PB in the summer as a cool treat. My dog will puke off of oatmeal, so I avoid it. Best advise? Use common sense and monitor your companion.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:56:45 +0000

Our dogs (3 rescued pekingese) only get leftover meats, but no other people food. I think that they will eat anything, especially being in puppy mills, they’ve learned to eat first, throw up later. I’m glad to have the list!

By: Ann

Ann — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:51:50 +0000

Avocado flesh is just fine for dogs. However the skin and seed are not.

By: kitty

kitty — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:35:23 +0000

you forgot to put tomamtos on your list.

By: alondra thompson

alondra thompson — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:33:27 +0000

I’m kind of suprised that
Chocolate is not listed on your list of toxic foods for dogs, because from what i undertand, Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can be fatal if ingested in large enough quantities

By: AuntieAnn

AuntieAnn — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:09:03 +0000

Having bred and raised springers for many years now I will tell you that dogs are like humans more than you think. We all thought rice was good for an upset tummy for our dogs once in awhile until one of my females almost lost her mind itching. Many tests later we found that she is allergic to grains. This was AFTER she turned 10. Environmental or genetic problem? It’s a reallhy interesting subject. But, we learned and learned the most difficult way, we almost lost her. She was so miserable at one point she refused to eat or drink water or at times didn’t even want to move. She and her current siblings are all on grain free dog food now and they ALL, 6 of them, love their salmon grain free food. Do what you think is correct for your animals, but just be aware and pay attention to changes that don’t seem normal for the animal. And, don’t think they don’t know how to read a clock. Time for Scooby Doo on TV. All of my dogs LOVE Scooby Doo cartoons!

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:39:23 +0000

Peanuts are not nuts, despite their name. They are legumes that grow UNDER the ground. Peanuts and peanut butter are not harmful to dogs.

Just like humans, animals used to get so much more exercise so eating too many calories wasn’t an issue when your dogs were getting all the “leftovers”. Also, the environment as a whole is much more toxic today, so the combinations of things we add to the diet of ourselves as well as our pets are so much more important to be of high quality and nutrient rich.

Diane