Pet Allergies
Does your dog beg for food or try to sneak a bite of your meal? While sharing a tasty snack with your furry friend may seem harmless, some foods can have serious consequences for your pet's health. Before sharing food with your pet, it's critical to know what foods to avoid and how to keep your pet safe. In this article, we'll discuss some common human foods that are toxic to dogs and what to do if your pet eats them.
Common Toxic Foods
Many human foods can have dangerous consequences for your pet's health. Below are some of the most common foods that cause problems in pets and how they can affect your furry friend.
Chocolate
Chocolate is the most well-known toxin for dogs. This sweet treat contains two harmful ingredients, theobromine, and caffeine. Dark chocolate and baker's chocolate typically have higher levels of these ingredients and are more dangerous for your pet. Common symptoms of chocolate toxicity include diarrhea and vomiting. However, when consumed in high doses, chocolate toxicity can also cause seizures and heart arrhythmia.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins are known for causing kidney failure in dogs. The specific toxin is not well understood, and the toxic dose can be highly variable. However, it is best to avoid sharing these tasty treats with your furry friend.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are members of the Allium family and are commonly used to season food. However, they can be problematic for your pet. Consumption of these ingredients can cause gastrointestinal upset and inflammation.
Members of the Allium family can also affect your pet's red blood cells and cause a condition known as oxidative anemia. Your pet's red blood cells play a critical role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. In cases of oxidative anemia, the red blood cells are damaged and unable to transport oxygen to essential organs.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and can cause some unusual symptoms. The toxic dose for macadamia nuts is fairly small and can cause generalized symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. However, dogs can also experience sudden weakness in their hind end. Luckily, this issue usually resolves on its own in 24-48 hours.
Fatty Foods
Fatty foods can be dangerous for your pet and cause a condition known as pancreatitis. Symptoms of pancreatitis include lethargy, abdominal pain, excessive vomiting, loss of appetite, and fever. Some examples of fatty foods to avoid feeding your pet include meat scraps, bacon, and butter.
Raw or Undercooked Meat
Feeding your pet raw or undercook meat can be dangerous and should be avoided. Undercooked meat can contain bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. When consumed, this can cause gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. Likewise, feeding your pet raw meat can increase your risk of contracting a food-borne illness.
Raw or Undercooked Meat
Feeding your pet raw or undercook meat can be dangerous and should be avoided. Undercooked meat can contain bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. When consumed, this can cause gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. Likewise, feeding your pet raw meat can increase your risk of contracting a food-borne illness.
🤔What to Do After Ingestion
While avoiding toxic foods is the best way to keep your pet safe, accidents can happen, and it's important to be prepared. If your pet ingests something toxic, the first thing you'll need to do is determine what your pet ate and remove any remaining food from their mouth.
Depending on what your dog ate, you may need to seek emergency veterinary care. This is especially important if your pet is showing any abnormal symptoms, such as vomiting or lethargy. Quick action can improve your pet's chances of recovery and even save your pet's life.
If you're unsure whether or not the food your dog ate is dangerous, the Pet Poison Helpline can be a fantastic resource. Phone consultations through the Pet Poison Helpline are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The helpline is managed by veterinary professionals who can discuss your pet's situation and provide guidance for additional care. If your pet needs medical attention, the Pet Poison Helpline can work with your veterinarian to create a treatment plan and address your pet's specific needs.
😎How to Care for Your Pet’s Allergies
Allergies are never enjoyable and can have a significant impact on your pet’s well-being. Luckily, there are some excellent options for reducing your pet’s symptoms and providing some much-needed allergy relief.
An important step in addressing your pet’s allergy problem is determining the specific cause and allergens involved. As mentioned, it’s essential to monitor your pet closely and look for patterns in their symptoms. This can be extremely helpful in pinpointing the cause of your pet’s condition.
For example, if your pet has a grass allergy, you may notice their symptoms worsen after spending time outdoors and when your grass is mowed. In this case, you may be able to reduce your pet’s symptoms by limiting their time outdoors and reducing their exposure to the allergen.
Some pets may have an allergy to certain fibers or materials, in which case it's important to switch out your pet's harness for a material that doesn't irritate their skin. This also applies to scents and chemicals in laundry detergent when washing harnesses, beds or bedding for some pets that may have sensitive skin.
If you are unable to detect a pattern in your pet’s symptoms, there are additional measures that can help. It’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian and have your pet evaluated. Your vet can run various diagnostic tests to rule out other medical conditions and determine the cause of your pet’s symptoms.
If a food allergy is suspected, your vet may recommend a food trial. During a food trial, your pet will receive a specialized diet containing a protein source they have not previously eaten. Food trials typically last 6-8 weeks. If your pet has a food allergy, their symptoms should improve during the course of the trial.
Summary
While your pet would probably love to share your tasty snack, it's important to remember that not all foods are safe for your furry friend. We recommend keeping a list of toxic foods handy and avoiding sharing table scraps with your pet. If you have specific questions about toxic foods or something your pet ate, it's essential to contact a veterinary professional.
At Voyager Harness, we take pet safety seriously and hope this information will help keep your pet out of danger.