I know what is best for me, however Skye just loves eating... anything! Skye will scoot as close to the table as he can get. His big, pitiful eyes stare longingly first at Dad, and then at the plate. Skye licks his chops over and over again, hoping to get just one bite of whatever dad is eating.
Let me try and explain the obvious reasons why many of the foods that humans eat are just not good for dogs:
- Dogs that eat a lot of table scraps tend to be overweight. If you are eating a steak and want to give your dog a treat, what part of the steak does he usually get? The fat. Dogs that are overweight have less energy and are at greater risk for developing health problems such as cardiovascular diseases.
- Digestive disorders are another common problem among dogs that eat a lot of table scraps.
- Table scraps do not provide the nutrition that dogs need. Tossing your dog a scrap of chicken now and then is different than feeding your dog a diet that consists mainly of table scraps. Dogs need different things nutritionally than humans do, and the best way for dogs to get what they need is to eat a food that has been formulated for dogs.
Some foods are a direct threat to your dogs health such as:
- Chocolate contains something called theobromine. Theobromine is toxic to dogs. It affects their heart and nervous system. Dogs who have ingested chocolate can suffer from seizures and even die. An ounce of chocolate contains enough theobromine to poison a dog
- Grapes and raisins cause kidney failure in dogs. A single serving of raisins is enough to kill a dog.
- Fruit seeds and pits can be deadly to dogs.
- The seeds and pits of apples, cherries, plums, peaches, pears and apricots contain cyanide. They can also obstruct the digestive track.
- mushrooms
- nutmeg
- raw fish
- Tomatoes can cause cause tremors and heart arrhythmia in dogs
- Avacados can cause breathing and respiratory problems
- Onions can damage dogs’ red blood cells
- Large amounts of salt can cause kidney problems in dogs
- Additionally too much fat and sugar can cause obesity, dental problems, and diseases such as pancreatitis.
- Raw liver or large amounts of cooked liver can lead to Vitamin A toxicity in dogs. This can lead to all sorts of health problems.
- Macadamia nuts affect dog muscles as well as their digestive and nervous systems. It can even lead to paralysis.
- Yeast dough can expand in the digestive system which produces gas and can even rupture the stomach or intestines.
- Also, dogs do not have the proper enzymes to breakdown the lactose in milk and dairy products.
- tea, coffee and cola type drinks
- cat food can cause metabolic imbalances
- eggs
- potatoe
- rhubarb
- vitamin supplements containing iron
- bones can cause obstructions and they tend to splinter, which can be very harmful not only in your dogs throat, but even cause perforation to parts of his digestive system and this can be fatal
Some of the sicknesses a dog can suffer due to bad nutrition are:
Chronic gastritis: This is attributed to the intolerance of certain foods, or to a problem with parasites. Generally this problem occurs when the dog has been fed expired food or rotten food. This can also be caused if the dog eats too much grease or leftovers. Some dogs like getting into the trash to scavenge for food and this often times contains rotten and toxic substances.
Diarrhea: Sometimes, something as small as a change in a dog's diet can bring about diarrhea. Therefore it's best to not change your dog's diet suddenly since the dog's stomach needs to gradually get used to a new food. If you notice that your dog has diarrhea and that the problem persists for over 24 hours, consult your veterinarian as prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
Allergies: Common with dogs, allergies are caused by the immune systems overreaction to certain allergens. Purebred dogs often have the most problem with allergies due to genetic predisposition to specific allergens. Some common allergens that affect dogs are flea saliva, grass and some ingredients in commercial dog food. The allergic reactions can be simply uncomfortable or can be potentially fatal. Generally the allergy symptoms are found on the skin. Irritation of the skin on the paws, ears, face, abdomen, and rectal area is one of the most typical. Some of the other symptoms are hair loss, gastrointestinal distress and hives. The most serious reactions usually are the result of insect bites and can cause a potentially fatal condition called anaphylactic shock. The swelling and blockage of the airway is another reaction to allergens that is very serious.
Myself and Skye only eat Hills as Hills Science Food are dedicated to providing precisely balanced nutrition that will improve the quality and longevity of our life.
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