7 Human Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs ...

1. Chocolate

I’m putting this at the top of the list as chocolate (both milk and dark) falls into the category of human foods that are dangerous for dogs. I’m pretty certain you’ve given your dog some chocolate before, or maybe they've found left-over chocolate eggs from Easter egg hunts in the garden! Apparently though, chocolate is toxic for dogs. If consumed it can cause hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and even death. Tip: if you want to give your dog chocolate as a treat, make sure you buy it from your local pet shop.

2. Avocados

Who doesn’t love a great guacamole or fresh fish taco with a slice of avo in it? It’s perfectly okay for us to consume, but not for our furry friends. Avocados contain an ingredient called persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. So remember not to drop any tidbits of your fresh taco on the floor, ladies!

3. Macadamia Nuts

All varieties of nuts can cause severe allergic reactions in humans, but in dogs, it's the macadamia nut that can be lethal. Apparently, if dogs consume one-to-two ounces of macadamia nuts, they can become temporarily paralyzed!

4. Raw Meat

I know it’s tempting to feed your pooch a scrap of fresh mince when you’re preparing a meatloaf, but realize it’s just as harmful for them as it is for us. Salmonella, E. Coli and other bacteria are present in undercooked meat, and you don’t want your doggy getting sick from just a little bite. Tip: if you want to give your dog some meat, wait until it’s fully cooked.

5. Bones

Left over bones from chicken or lamb can splint off when your dog starts gnawing on them and can cause lacerations inside their digestive tract. I know it might sound strange since historically dogs used to eat entire carcasses in the wild, but domesticated dogs are different. If you want to give your dog a bone as a treat, make sure you buy them from your local pet shop.

6. Yeast Dough

If you’re someone who bakes bread from scratch, make sure you don’t give any of the unbaked yeast dough to your pooch. The yeast dough can rise in your dog’s stomach, causing a lot of gas! If you want to give them a treat, wait until the bread’s baked, as small pieces of baked bread are okay as an occasional treat.

7. Grapes

Be careful not to let any stray grapes fall on the floor when washing them. Apparently, grapes and even the dry variety (raisins and currants) and any fruit with a pit in it, for that matter, can be dangerous for dogs. They've been known to cause kidney failure in dogs.

Obviously, a treat every now and then is fine, but try to limit human foods to 10% of your dog’s overall diet. If you think your dog’s eaten something dangerous, contact your vet immediately, and note that the best way to keep your furry friend healthy is to give them a high quality pet-food diet. Consult your vet or local pet shop for recommendations if you think your dog isn’t eating healthily enough, and try storing food in dog-proof containers. That way they can't accidentally eat human food! Has your dog ever eaten anything harmful?