This is Why Vet Warns Dog Owners To Not Feed Your Dog Corn On The Cob / 27 Foods You Should Never Feed To Your Dog

Human Food Is Not Always Dog-Friendly

Foods that are perfectly suitable for human consumption, as well as other animals, may be toxic and even poisonous to your dog, posing a serious threat to their health and well-being. Why? Because all animals have very different rates of metabolism. Metabolism is the process of breaking down food and turning it into energy.

Here’s an alphabetized list of foods that are unsafe and unfit for canine consumption, many of which are toxic to dogs. Be sure to look below this list for a helpful and shareable infographic to print out and keep on your fridge so you know what things dogs can’t eat.

27.Corn On The Cob

Most of us aren’t shy about treating our dogs to what we’re eating from the grill – but there is one thing that we definitely should avoid giving them because it poses a fatal hazard.

And that is corn on the cob.

The reason is because unlike most other vegetables, corn on the cob won’t get digested by a dog’s stomach. Of course, this doesn’t mean they can’t eat some corn. Once corn has been removed from the cob it is safe for dogs to eat. The cob itself, however, is not safe for dogs to ingest. As a result, corn cobs are one of the leading causes for fatal bowel obstructions in canines since the cob can cause major intestinal blockages that need to be removed via surgery.

Of course, sometimes people don’t intentionally feed the corn cob directly to their dog. Sometimes, your dog will be sneaky and go rifling through the garbage looking for a tasty treat. Or, they’ll swipe one off the table when they think no one is looking. That is why it is importance that you always dispose of your corn cobs in a place where your dog can’t access them. And, like any other food you may have spread out for a gathering, you should make sure it’s out of reach of your pet.

If you aren’t sure whether or not your dog ate corn on the cob then these are the blockage symptoms to watch out for:

– vomiting

– lethargy, listlessness

– abdominal tenderness or pain

– lack of appetite (although it should be noted some dogs continue regularly eating)

26.Cat Food

Cat food contains proteins and fats that target the diet of a cat, not a dog. The protein and fat levels in cat food are too high for your dog, and not healthy. Ingesting too much cat food can result in upset stomach, obesity and pancreatitis.

25.Apple Seeds

The casing of apple seeds is toxic to a dog as they contain a natural chemical (amygdlin) that releases cyanide when digested. This is really only an issue if a large amount is eaten and the seed is chewed up by the dog, causing it to enter its bloodstream. To play it safe, be sure to core and seed apples before you feed them to your dog.

24.Avocado

Avocados contain persin, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting and heart congestion. The most dangerous part of an avocado is the pit because it is a choking hazard and it is full of persin. If you think your dog has ingested an avocado pit, call your vet asap. If your dog ate a small piece of avocado, it will probably be okay, but make sure you monitor your dog and call your vet for further care.

23.Candy, Chewing Gum, Toothpaste & Mouthwash

Not only does candy contain sugar, but it often contains xylitol, which can lead to vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures and liver failure.

22. Alcohol

Do not give your dog alcohol on purpose. Alcohol can cause not only intoxication, lack of coordination, weak breathing and abnormal acidity but potentially even coma or death.

21.Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which speed the heart rate and stimulate the nervous system. Depending on the type of chocolate, amount your dog ingested and your dog’s weight will determine how sick (or not sick) your dog may become.

Ingesting too much theobromine and caffeine in chocolate may result in vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, increased urination, tremors, elevated heart rate, seizures and death. Below is a list of most dangerous to least dangerous chocolate to dogs:

Cocoa powder
Unsweetened baker’s chocolate
Semisweet chocolate
Dark chocolate
Milk chocolate
White chocolate

20.Coffee, Tea & Other Caffeine

Caffeine is extremely dangerous to dogs, and within 1-2 hours, your dog could be experiencing mild to severe hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, seizures and death.

19.Cooked Bones

When it comes to bones, the danger is that cooked bones can easily splinter when chewed by your dog. Raw (uncooked) bones, however, are appropriate and suitable for both your dog’s nutrition and teeth.

17.Fat Trimmings

Cooked and uncooked fat trimmings can cause pancreatitis.

16.Garlic

While garlic can be okay for dogs in tiny amounts (and even beneficial for flea treatment), more significant amounts can be risky. Garlic is related to onions which are toxic for dogs because it kills dog’s red blood cell count, causing anemia. Signs may include weakness, vomiting and troubles breathing.

15.Grapes & Raisins

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure for dogs. Even a small amount can make a dog ill. Vomiting is an early symptom followed by depression and low energy. We’ve heard stories of dogs dying from only a handful of grapes, so do not feed your pup this potentially toxic food.

14.Hops

An ingredient in beer that can be toxic to your dog. The consumption of hops by your dog can cause vomiting, panting, increased heart rate, fever and even death.

13.Human Vitamins

It isn’t recommended to give your dog one of your vitamins or supplements. Human vitamins often contain 100% of the recommended daily amount of various minerals. This could cause a mineral overdose for your dog.

The most dangerous vitamin is prenatal vitamins, which have a higher dose of iron and can cause iron toxicity in pets. If your dog ingests a bunch of prenatal vitamins (or other vitamins with a high dosage of iron), you should call your vet immediately.

12.Liver

In small amounts, liver can be okay but avoid feeding too much to your dog. Liver contains quite a bit of vitamin A, which can adversely affect your pup’s muscles and bones.

11.Macadamia Nuts

Ingesting even small amounts of macadamia nuts can be lethal to your dog. Symptoms include muscle shakes, vomiting, increased temperature and weak back legs. If your dog ingested chocolate with the macadamia nuts, the symptoms can be worse.

10.Marijuana

The level of poison depends on how much exposure your dog has. There isn’t much information out about dogs and marijuana, but from what we can find, these are the common symptoms: slow response times, dribbling urine, heart rate change, neurological stimulation, hyperactivity, coma and even death.

9.Milk & Dairy Products

While small doses aren’t going to kill your dog, you could get some smelly farts and some nasty cases of diarrhea. Milk and dairy products can cause digestive problems as well as trigger food allergies.

8.Onions & Chives

No matter what form they’re in (dry, raw, cooked, powder, within other foods), onions are some of the absolute worst foods you could give your pup. They contain disulfides and sulfoxides (thiosulphate), both of which can cause anemia and damage red blood cells.

7.Peppers

Bell Peppers are okay to feed dogs. Dogs are carnivores and prefer meat to vegetables, but there are some benefits to veggies. For example, green peppers are a low-calorie snack, packed with vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Be sure to chop peppers into small pieces because the outer skin can be tough and difficult to chew. Pureeing or steaming the peppers makes them easier to consume and digest. As with most human food, don’t overdo it because too much could lead to sickness. It might go without saying, but never give your dog a spicy variety such as jalapeños or hot peppers!

6.Persimmon, Peach & Plum Pits

Pits/seeds from these fruits can cause intestinal issues in dogs. Additionally, peach and plum pits have cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs (and people!).

5.Raw Meat & Fish

Raw meat and fish can be contaminated with bacteria which causes food poisoning. Additionally, some fish can contain a parasite that causes “fish disease” or “salmon poisoning disease (SPD).”

Symptoms include vomiting, fever and enlarged lymph nodes. Cooked fish is perfectly fine since the cooking process kills the parasites but be sure to remove all bones to avoid choking or internal organ risks.

4.Rhubarb & Tomato Leaves

These contain oxalates, which can cause, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, tremors and bloody urine.

3.Salt

Just like salt isn’t the healthiest thing for humans, it’s even less healthy for dogs. Too much of it can lead to sodium ion poisoning, which may result in vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, increased temperature, seizures and even death.

2.Sugar

This applies to any food containing sugar. Make sure you check the ingredient label for human foods – corn syrup (which is a less expensive form of sugar or glucose) is found in just about everything these days. Too much sugar for your pup can lead to dental issues, obesity and even diabetes.⁵

1.Tobacco

Tobacco contains nicotine, which can be lethal to dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, abnormal heart rate, tremors and weakness. Tobacco poisoning can present itself within 1 hour of ingestion.