8 Common People Foods That Can Be Deadly to Your Dog

We all know the feeling we get when our dog sits in front of us and gives us that certain look. You know the one that says, "I can see you have tasty food and I have none!" It can be so hard to refuse that look and tell your dog he is not getting anything, but did you know you might be killing your dog slowly if you can't resist the desire to give him a "human food" treat? Consider these people foods and how much harm they can do to your dog. Many a tasty treat has the potential to kill your dog.

#1. Chocolate Treats

Most dog owners know you shouldn't feed a dog chocolate, but do you know why? Chocolate contains two ingredients that your dog does not need, caffeine and theobromine. If your dog eats chocolate he could end up with abdominal pains, dehydration, elevated body temperature, irregular heart rhythm, muscle tremors, seizures, vomiting, and possibly die.

#2. Cooked Bones

One of the most common dog treats is bones, every dog loves to chew on a tasty bone. But did you know that cooked bones can splinter into small pieces that can easily become lodged in your dog's throat and cause him to choke to death? These same tiny pieces can become lodged in his intestines where they can puncture their walls, a condition that requires significant surgery to repair but may still lead to death. Raw bones have a lower risk of splintering, but they may contain bacteria that can lead to other digestive problems.

#3. Dairy Products

Lactose intolerance is not limited to humans; many dogs have the same problem and can end up with diarrhea, vomiting, or other symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. This is because your dog lacks the enzymes needed to break down the milk sugars. While your dog may love that occasional bite of cheddar cheese, that tasty treat loaded with fat can lead to pancreatitis, which, in turn, can become deadly.

#4. Garlic and Onions

Both garlic and onions are members of the Allium plant species (it also includes, chives, leeks, scallions, and shallots) that are known to damage your dog's red blood cells. Eating any of these can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. If not addressed, your dog may be subject to anemia, lethargy, weakness, labored breathing, and eventually death.

#5. Bacon

What dog doesn't love the taste of bacon just like his owner? The problem with bacon is that it is both high in fat and salt. The fat in bacon can cause pancreatitis, which, as noted above, can prove to be fatal. The high level of salt can lead to a condition known as "bloat" which is caused when a dog drinks far too much water after eating very salty foods. Bloat can also prove to be fatal.

#6. Sugar-Free Chewing Gum

No one ever intentionally gives their dog sugar-free chewing gum (or for that matter any other type of gum). But sugar-free gums and many other diet candies and foods contain a sweetener called xylitol. Ingesting xylitol can cause a sudden massive drop in your dog's blood sugar levels that can lead to liver failure and death within just a few short days.

#7. Beer, Wine, and Alcohol

Some people seem to think it's funny to watch their dog stagger around tipsy after giving them some form of alcoholic beverage. Not only can booze make your dog drunk, even small amounts can cause problems like diarrhea, vomiting, loss of coordination, problems with breathing, coma, and even death. The smaller your dog is, the more likely he is to have problems like these and the more serious they are likely to be.

#8. Yeast Doughs

When you go to make bread, the dough needs to rise before you put it in the oven to bake. If your dog gets ahold of raw yeast dough and eats it, the dough will continue to rise in his stomach. As it rises, the dough can cause stretch your dog's stomach and abdomen causing significant pain. On top of this, as the yeast ferments in his stomach, it will turn into alcohol, which can result in alcohol poisoning and the death of your dog.

It’s Not Always Best to Share

The moral of this story is that people foods are for people, not dogs. The best way to keep your dog healthy is to talk to his vet about what you should be feeding him and make sure you are feeding a well-balanced nutritious diet. How your dog may react to people foods will vary greatly depending on his breed and size. While, in most cases, a small treat from time to time may not cause any lasting harm, your best bet is to keep certain people foods away from your dog.