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Articles Nutrition & Supplement Foods And Substances That Dogs Should Never Consume
Articles Nutrition & Supplement Foods And Substances That Dogs Should Never Consume
| Foods And Substances That Dogs Should Never Consume |
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| Written by Chris Channing |
| Monday, 08 March 2010 10:46 |
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Dogs are known for their ability to eat just about anything their owners give to them- but that doesn't mean that the food you give them can't hurt them. There are some types of foods that can harm your canine either immediately or over the course of several days or weeks.
Dogs are known for their ability to eat just about anything their owners give to them- but that doesn't mean that the food you give them can't hurt them. There are some types of foods that can harm your canine either immediately or over the course of several days or weeks. Garlic and onions, and anything that may contain them, should not be given to dogs. Onion and garlic can damage the red blood cells of both cats and dogs. This includes any raw ingredients, powders, and products that have been prepared with trace amounts of either substance. An example would be with baby food, which often contains a trace amount of either garlic or onion for flavoring purposes. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that can also harm your dog. You find xylitol in most types of gum, as it is an artificial sweetener. It is also the main ingredient in alternative sugar substitutes. The sweetener can cause liver failure if eaten in moderate quantities, so it's best to avoid your dog eating it even in small amounts. Dairy products and dogs do not mix very well. There are some dogs that are able to "stomach" dairy products, but not every dog has the proper digestive system to take care of the enzymes in most dairy products. This includes milk, sour cream, cheese, and products derived from any of these products. If you notice your dog has diarrhea, it's possible the problem is with dairy. Caffeine is one all pet owners should remember. Caffeine can be found in chocolate, coffee, and many types of drinks such as soda. Caffeine will speed up the heart rate of the dog and cause problems to the nervous system. This is why it is urgent that dogs never be fed chocolate, even though the caffeine in chocolate is often just a small amount. Dogs given caffeine will often observe severe heart problems and jitters. Dog diets are hard to balance, since every breed of dog can be different. Each individual dog will also have different likes, tastes, and personality. Focus on building a well-balanced diet instead of feeding a dog table scraps or solely "human food." Otherwise the proteins and fats may be off balanced, and could lead to health issues later on. In Conclusion Feeding a dog is a science. You have to show responsibility in caring for your dog, and brush up on other foods that you should not feed to him or her. Otherwise you may cause unintentional harm to your dog, and in some cases, could face actual legal charges. |