It’s very important to be aware of foods that your dog should not ingest because they can lead to severe sickness and death. Here’s a list of foods you should keep far away from your dog:

Onions, garlic, and chives - The foods in the onion family even when cooked are extremely toxic to dogs. They will mess with your dog’s digestive tract and damage their red blood cells. If you suspect your dog has ingested any of these foods, contact your local veterinary hospital.

Cacao powder - When a dog ingests cacao powder, it will increase its heart rate which can be fatal. If you suspect your dog has ingested cacao powder, take them to the veterinary hospital right away. There may be something that can be done to avoid them dying.

Macadamia nuts - Macadamia nuts will attack your dog’s nervous system. If you notice your dog is panting more, walking differently, or has swollen limbs, take it to the nearest veterinary hospital.

The cob of corn - Dogs can have loose corn, but never corn on the cob. Cobs are a choking hazard for dogs and will need to be surgically removed if pieces of them are ingested.

Avocado - Persin is a fungicidal toxin present in avocados. Although small amounts are said to be harmless to humans, dogs can’t have any persin. If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, they may have eaten avocado.

Fake sugars - A dog’s body reacts differently than a human’s body when fake sugar is eaten. A human can have fake sugar without insulin being released into the body, but a dog’s body will still release insulin.

Cooked bones – A cooked bone will break up into shards that can severely damage a dog’s mouth and digestive tract. Don’t ever give your dog any kind of cooked bone to gnaw on.

Grapes & raisins - Grapes contain tartaric acid, which is a white, crystalline organic acid. This acid can cause dogs to have diarrhea or vomiting.

Alcohol - Dogs that ingest even a little bit of alcohol are at risk to have seizures and a hard time breathing. As a result, your dog will most likely die, so never give your dog alcohol.

Contact Companion Animal Hospital if you have any questions about foods you want to give your dog or if your dog is experiencing any abnormal symptoms. We proudly serve the Bellevue, WA community.