Dogs are known for their ability to eat just about anything their owners give to them- but that doesn't mean that the food you give them can't hurt them. There are some types of foods that can harm your canine either immediately or over the course of several days or weeks.

Onion of any kind can do serious damage to a dog. Onion has the potential to cause anemia in dogs, and should be avoided at all costs. Even products derived from onion, such as onion salt or onion powder, can still cause damage to the dog. It is so serious that even cooking a steak with onion would mean that giving the dog a cut of the steak is out of the question, for fear of health concerns of anemia.

Artificial sweeteners can sometimes cause harm to a dog. Xylitol is a great example that is in use in plenty of foods out on the market today. Xylitol in particular is able to cause liver failure when eaten in significant quantities. When you see a product labeled with artificial sweeteners, be sure to pay special attention for Xylitol.

Sometimes problems such as diarrhea can be a result of feeding your dog dairy products, whether it be milk or foods prepared with mentioned dairy products. Not every dog has the ability to break down the enzymes that are in milk. As a result, the dairy is passed through the digestive system and will cause problems for the dog as long as dairy remains in the diet.

One of the biggest wrongs that pet owners could engage in would be to give a dog caffeine or chocolate. Chocolate is known to have caffeine in it, and the caffeine can quickly cause nervous system problems and heart problems. Caffeine may also speed up the heart of the dog, which could cause a serious problem if the dog gets worked up and uses the extra energy to run around. No chocolate or caffeine at all should ever be given to a dog.

A dog needs a well balanced diet. Sometimes you shouldn't focus so much on what you can't feed your dog, and instead stick to the basics. Keep the protein, fat, and carbohydrates levels proportional to what your dog needs. Every dog is different, and some breeds need more nutrition than others. A dog handbook is sure to help you out.

Closing Comments

Patience in learning what your dog can handle is key. Always research the food you are giving your dog before actually feeding the dog. It's always best to stay safe rather than have a dog with severe health problems. Dogs are a man's best friend, and should be treated as such.

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