#1 – Pickles
While it is a cucumber variant, that doesn't mean they are equally healthy for dogs. Cucumbers gain their sourness from the brine made of vinegar, salt, and other substances in which they sit for a long time. Salt has no place in your dog's diet, and we don't need to mention that the other substances added to pickles are not suitable for your pet either. It is likely that after eating pickles, your dog would vomit or have a fever. This also applies to any other pickled vegetables. An occasional piece of pickle won't cause significant harm, but we recommend avoiding them altogether.
#2 – Salt
Now that we've mentioned salt, or sodium chloride, let's take a closer look at it. The most noticeable symptom you will observe with excess sodium in your dog's body will be increased thirst. If a dog accidentally consumes a large amount of salty food, it can lead to poisoning. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, elevated temperature, seizures, and in the worst case, it could even be fatal. Balanced complete dog foods contain enough salt, and there's no reason to add more for your pet. Treats like salty chips, pretzels, or salted popcorn should definitely not be given to dogs. If your pet does eat something salty, make sure it has plenty of fresh water available to prevent dehydration.
#3 – Cinnamon
The sweet, delicious smell of cinnamon may be appealing to your pet, but this spice is not entirely safe for them. Cinnamon is not toxic, but that doesn't mean you should regularly serve it to your dog. If you let them chew on a whole cinnamon stick, it can irritate their mouth, while ground cinnamon can be inhaled, causing coughing and breathing problems (you may have experienced this yourself!). Consuming a large amount of cinnamon can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your dog, and may lead to changes in heart rate.
#4 – Raw Yeast Dough
If you love to bake, dough may be a regular part of your home, and you might even taste it raw from time to time. However, your dog should definitely not do this; it is very dangerous. Yeast releases alcohol during fermentation, which can lead to poisoning, and another issue is significant bloating caused by the dough. This also answers another question – alcohol is very dangerous and often fatal for pets! We believe there's no need to dedicate a separate paragraph to this...
#5 – Chocolate
We started with sweetness, so let's dig into it! Whether you are a chocolate lover or not, your dog cannot have it. This treat contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that a dog's digestive system cannot metabolize. Eating chocolate can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. These symptoms can further lead to much more severe complications, such as muscle tremors, seizures, or internal bleeding. You probably know that for humans, dark (bitter) chocolate or pure cocoa is healthier in moderation because it contains less sugar; however, for dogs, milk chocolate is less dangerous due to its higher theobromine and caffeine content. That doesn't mean you should offer it to them.
#5 – Xylitol
This chemical compound is commonly used as a sugar substitute. Don't know what xylitol is? Rest assured, if you buy sweets, you definitely have it at home. It is known as birch sugar, which is essentially not unhealthy. However, it is for your dog. We find it in various candies, chewing gums (clearly, you probably wouldn't think of giving those to your pet), or sweet baked goods. When a dog consumes xylitol, it can lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar levels, resulting in muscle weakness and seizures. This substance can also have more serious consequences, such as causing liver damage to the pet. Wondering if regular sugar is better? Sugar is actually not necessary, and its dangers to dogs lie in the same potential complications as for humans – obesity, dental problems, diabetes.
#6 – Onion
This vegetable contains substances that are dangerous and toxic for dogs. They damage red blood cells and hemoglobin, which is essential for oxygen transport in the blood. Therefore, if your pet eats a large amount of onion, it could lead to anemia. Symptoms may not appear until several hours later and often not until several days. In such a case, the dog would become weak, lose its appetite, and could even faint. In the case of severe poisoning from the substances found in onions, blood transfusions may be necessary. Keep in mind that all forms and parts of onion are toxic, including dried powder or leaves.
#7 – Coffee and Tea
Many pet owners can't imagine their life without coffee or, in some cases, tea. You probably know how a good cup of tea or coffee can give someone a boost. But if you want your dog to be euphoric too, give them their favorite toy instead of coffee or tea... Due to their high caffeine content, they are very dangerous for dogs. The caffeine content in coffee is clear to everyone, while in tea, it mainly refers to green and black tea. This stimulant stimulates the dog's nervous system, leading to hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, seizures, and trembling. There have been cases of lung failure and cardiac arrhythmias that led to death. Therefore, coffee, tea, and actually anything containing caffeine and similar stimulants are treats to be enjoyed only by you, and definitely not by your pet.
#8 – Fatty Foods
Your dog's tongue will be eagerly peeking out, and their gaze will be so fixed that you might feel as though they could burn right through you. For a slice of bacon or any other fatty or greasy food, your dog might go to great lengths. But don’t give in. Fat itself is not toxic, but it can cause digestive issues, gas, vomiting, and with long-term consumption, inflammation of the pancreas or liver problems. Thus, it is also not appropriate for you to give your pet fatty cuts of meat left over from your meal.
#9 – Grapes and Raisins
Very popular fruits among pet owners have unfortunately proven to be very dangerous for dogs. The exact reasons remain largely a mystery, but grapes and raisins have been shown to have a link to numerous cases of organ failure, especially kidney failure, in animals. Symptoms of kidney disturbances in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, or weight loss. If your dog has eaten grapes and you don't observe any negative effects, it may be resistant to their negative impacts and can tolerate them. However, that is not a reason to give them again; this small fruit should be indulged in only by you, while your pet should be excluded from it.
#10 – Tomato
Yes, even though not everyone knows it, tomatoes belong to the fruit category. And it is an example of a fruit that you might love, but your dog should avoid just in case. Tomato contains solanine, like raw potatoes, which can be dangerous for your pet. It primarily concentrates in the stems and leaves, but it can also be found in large amounts in unripe fruits. It can cause irritation of the digestive tract or negatively affect the central nervous system. A dog can then suffer from muscle cramps, lose coordination, or feel overall weakness. So if you grow this fruit in your garden, be very careful to prevent your dog from tasting unripe fruits or stems. Even ripe tomatoes are not entirely safe, so it's best not to give them to your pet.
(#11 – Garlic – so what’s the deal with it?!)
There is significant debate over this miracle of nature, with most people holding the common belief that garlic is toxic to pets and can even kill them. We mention it in parentheses and at the very end because we believe it does not fall into the category of foods purely harmful to dogs. Yes, when abused, garlic is toxic to pets and is more dangerous than any other vegetable in large quantities. It contains thiosulfates, which can, like onions, lead to anemia. However, if you know how to handle garlic, your pet can also benefit from its incredible health benefits! We recommend organic garlic to avoid unwanted substances, such as heavy metals, etc. Such substances are of course harmful to humans, but they are dangerous to dogs in much lower doses. Chop the garlic finely, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and depending on your pet's weight, you can add it to their food. It is reported that one teaspoon is safe and healthy for a dog weighing around 15kg. In any case of health problems your pet has, it’s advisable to consult everything with your veterinarian. And if you are simply unsure, just avoid garlic, just as you would with the other foods on this list.
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