Toxic & Bad Treats to Avoid

Some people appear to believe that just because dogs have been domesticated that they can eat everything that we do. They sit on their couch, watching television, calmly sharing their popcorn or potato chips or nachos with cheese and jalapenos with their dog, without giving his physical well being a second thought. However, dogs are just as prone as humans are to obesity or hypertension when they eat things that are high in salt or fat.

Dogs are obligate carnivores, they will eat anything that they can in order to survive, but they prefer to eat meat and bone. Because their pack leader tells them that the popcorn or chips is something that they should eat, they will eat it; it is hard-wired into their brains that the pack leader is in charge of the decisions made for their survival. Unfortunately, that particular code works against them when snacks are involved. As much as we love to share with our dogs, here are some treats that should not be offered to them:

• Chocolate and foods containing chocolate: Chocolate contains a toxic substance that can be poisonous if eaten in high enough quantities, even in human beings. Dogs can not metabolize chocolate; therefore, they retain this poison in their systems until this toxicity builds up enough to cause them serious harm, if not death. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic the dose.

• Fatty snacks: Your dog is probably getting plenty of fat in his regular diet. Sauces, gravies, cheeses, and other fatty substances should not be added to his food--so those nachos with cheese and peppers are out. If you'd like to give your dog an occasional treat, then add a sauce particularly formulated for dogs to his food. Take care when offering these, because even these special sauces are not fat free.

• Forbidden beverages: Dogs should drink water. That's it. Adult dogs should not have milk, as they can not tolerate it in many cases. Milk, milkshakes, egg nog, and even melted ice cream may cause diarrhea in your dog. Carbonated beverages, such as soda and seltzer, may deplete his calcium level.

• Salty snacks: Most salty snacks, including popcorn, potato chips, and those nachos, provide a double whammy of salt and fat. Both salt and fat contribute to potential obesity and hypertension, while salt alone may lead to your dog retaining fluids.

• Sweet snacks: Dogs like anything sweet. They will beg for whatever candy or cookies that you are eating. They may even beg for fruit. Although fruits and vegetables containing sugar may be acceptable--if occasional--snacks, candy and cookies should not be part of his diet. Cookies that have been specially formulated for dogs are an acceptable alternative that still may satisfy your dog's sweet tooth.

Next article: Feeding A Balanced and Healthy Dog Diet

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