As dog owners, we all hope to give our furry children the best care. However, not all human food is suitable for dogs. Seemingly ordinary foods such as chocolate, onions, and grapes may pose a serious health threat to dogs. Prevention is better than cure. It is crucial for every dog-raising family to know which foods can be fed to dogs and which ones need to be strictly avoided. In addition, there are large individual differences between different dogs. Before feeding any new food to dogs, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

I. What foods are not edible for dogs?

1. Chocolate

Chocolate contains a large amount of theobromine, which can cause serious damage to the dog's central nervous system and heart, and even cause death. Chocolate also contains caffeine, which can also speed up the dog's heartbeat and cause excessive excitement.

Symptoms of dogs eating chocolate by mistake:

· Vomiting

· Diarrhea

· Irregular heartbeat

· Muscle tremors

· Difficulty breathing

Ps: What if the dog accidentally eats chocolate? Contact the veterinarian immediately, who will give professional advice based on the specific situation of the dog. Observe the dog's symptoms so that you can tell the doctor.

How to effectively prevent dogs from eating chocolate by mistake? You need to put chocolate out of reach of your dog, educate your family not to feed your dog chocolate, and don't let your dog pick up food on the ground when you go out.

2. Grapes and raisins

Although grapes and raisins are healthy human foods, they may cause acute kidney injury in dogs. At present, the scientific community has not fully understood the specific reasons, but there are a large number of cases that confirm their toxicity.

Symptoms of dogs eating grapes or raisins by mistake:

· Vomiting

· Diarrhea

· Loss of appetite

· Lethargy

· Decreased or no urine

· Abdominal pain

Ps: Please be sure to avoid feeding grapes and raisins to your dog. If your dog accidentally eats them, please seek medical attention immediately.

3. Onion and garlic foods (including leeks, green onions, etc.)

Onion and garlic foods contain a substance called sulfur compounds, which can destroy the dog's red blood cells and cause hemolytic anemia. In addition to anemia, dogs eating onions and garlic may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.

Symptoms after dogs accidentally eat onions and garlic:

· Vomiting

· Diarrhea

· Loss of appetite

· Lethargy

· Weakness

· Dark urine color

Ps: The above two types of food, whether raw or cooked, should be avoided for dogs.

4. Foods containing xylitol

Foods containing xylitol, such as sugar-free chewing gum, food, etc., can cause a rapid increase in hypoglycemia symptoms in dogs and cause severe hypoglycemia symptoms.

Symptoms after dogs accidentally eat xylitol:

· Vomiting

· Diarrhea

· Loss of coordination

· Coma

· Epilepsy

What foods contain xylitol? Sugar-free chewing gum, sugar-free mints, sugar-free baked goods, some brands of artificial sweeteners, certain types of peanut butter.

Ps: When buying food, be sure to check the ingredient list carefully to make sure it does not contain xylitol. Keep foods containing xylitol out of reach of dogs.

5. Avocado

Avocado pits, peels and leaves contain a toxin called avocado. This toxin can cause digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, and in severe cases may even cause breathing difficulties and pulmonary edema.

Symptoms of dogs eating avocados by mistake:

· Vomiting

· Diarrhea

· Breathing difficulties

· Pulmonary edema

· Irregular heartbeat

Ps: Before feeding your dog, carefully check whether there are avocado ingredients in the food. Clean up the avocado peels and pits that have fallen on the ground. If your dog accidentally eats avocado, please contact your veterinarian in time.

In addition, the following foods are prone to cause digestive problems in dogs and should not be fed or fed too much, including:

· Foods with too much salt will increase the burden on the dog's kidneys and may cause carbohydrate imbalance.

· Fried foods are not only prone to digestive disharmony, but long-term consumption may also cause obesity and pancreatitis.

· Some dogs are intolerant to lactose and will experience symptoms such as diarrhea after eating dairy products.

· Nuts are rich in fat and high in calories, which are difficult for the dog's digestive system to fully absorb, and are prone to indigestion, diarrhea and other problems.

II. What foods can dogs eat safely?

As dog owners, we should understand what foods dogs can eat to ensure that they have a balanced diet and grow up healthily. Generally speaking, the following categories of food are suitable for dogs:

1. High-quality protein sources

· Cooked lean meat: chicken, beef, etc., remove bones and skin

· Cooked fish: remove bones and avoid frying

· Cooked eggs: rich in high-quality protein

2. Healthy fruit selection

· Carrots: Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is good for dogs' eyesight. Can be eaten raw or cooked

· Broccoli: rich in fiber and vitamin C, but must be cooked before feeding

· Pumpkin: easy to digest, rich in dietary fiber

· Apple (core removed): short-term consumption can provide vitamins

· Blueberries: rich in antioxidants

III. Scientific feeding suggestions

In addition to understanding what dogs can and cannot eat, as a qualified dog owner, you also need to master scientific feeding methods to ensure the healthy growth of dogs.

1. Daily diet principles

The dog's daily diet should be mainly dog food, accounting for more than 80%. Snacks are only used as rewards, and the total daily calories should not exceed 10%. For the health of your dog, please strictly control the amount of food you feed and avoid overfeeding.

2. Suggestions for adding new food

When adding new food, follow the principle of "trying in small amounts and proceeding step by step". Add only one new food at a time, observe for 24-48 hours if there are no adverse reactions (such as vomiting, diarrhea, allergic symptoms such as rashes, etc.), and then gradually increase the dosage.

IV.  Conclusion

Raising a dog is not just raising a pet, but also a responsibility. Understanding and strictly enforcing the dog's dietary safety standards is a compulsory course for every dog lover. When we see dogs growing up healthily and happily, it will fill our hearts with satisfaction.

Remember, when you find that your dog is abnormal, timely medical treatment is always the right choice. Prevention is better than cure, let us work together to create a safe eating environment for dogs.