People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet

If you are a pet owner, you have probably asked this question more than once. We love treating our four-legged friends to yummy snacks every now and again, and “human foods” can be a great way to add essential nutrients and vitamins to a dog’s diet.

But not all food is safe!

According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, ingesting toxic substances is a common reason pups find themselves visiting the emergency veterinarian. In fact, it can lead to serious health problems…or even be fatal.

So, Bark & Beyond is here with information about five common foods that are toxic to dogs (plus some PAW-SOME alternative dog-friendly treats).

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet

1. Chocolate

Mmm…who doesn’t love chocolate pudding, cake, ice cream, and cookies?

Chocolate is a popular treat amongst children and adults alike, but it's also highly toxic to dogs. That’s because chocolate contains “theobromine,” a substance that dogs can't metabolize as quickly as the human body can. Ingesting chocolate may cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death in dogs – so avoid at all costs! Instead, offer these pet-safe Birthday Cake Bites Dog Treats on special occasions.

2. Grapes and Raisins

Next, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Even small amounts may result in vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and just generally make your dog feel yucky. Think your dog accidently ate grapes? Call the vet ASAP.

3. Garlic

Third on the list of toxic foods is garlic. Most people don’t realize that garlic is strong enough to damage a dog’s red blood cells and cause anemia. If eaten, it can trigger pale gums, vomiting, and diarrhea. So, skip the garlic and try these delicious Grandma Lucys Dog Organic Baked Cranberry Treats.

4. Avocado

Avocados are full of good fats for humans. Dogs? Not so much…

Unfortunately, these green superfoods contain a substance called “persin.” This is toxic to canines in large quantities and leads to tummy upsets. Not to mention, avocado pits are a serious choking hazard.

5. Xylitol

Lastly, we have Xylitol. This is a popular sugar substitute found in many sugar-free gums, mints, candies, toothpastes, etc. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs and can cause insulin release, leading to hypoglycemia (AKA low blood sugar). Symptoms of xylitol toxicity include vomiting, loss of coordination, and seizures that can be scary to witness.

But don’t worry – this is simple enough to prevent.

Just feed your furry friend treats made for them, like our bestselling Charlee Bear Dog Crunch Grain Free Bacon and Blueberry. 

Final Thoughts

Remember, always err on the side of caution. When in doubt, keep it out of your pet’s food bowl. For the highest-quality dog-friendly treats, the Bark & Beyond shop has you covered!