What Not To Feed A Dog

If you want your puppy to live a full, healthy life, take a look at this list which outlines what not to feed a dog. Certain table scraps are fine (and are usually a favorite treat for your tableside pal), but a number of foods that are perfectly safe for humans can cause serious issues for man's best friend. Common sense is obviously a solid guide for avoiding a trip to the vet, but you need more than a general knowledge of an acceptable pet diet if you want to be a responsible caretaker. Your dog is one of your best buddies, and you're totally responsible for its health and happiness. So don't be a slacker when it comes to figuring out what's best for your pet's bowl.

1. Alcoholic beverages of any kind. It's not funny and it's not cute. Getting your dog drunk can instill long-term problems, but too much at once can cause liver failure or death.
2. Marijuana or marijuana-based food products. Again, don't be a jackass and never feed your dog pot brownies or any of the like. Weed can aggravate a dog's nervous system and cause unsafe fluctuations in the animal's heart rate.
3. Tobacco. Keep your dog away from your cigarettes. Dogs can have particularly nasty reactions to nicotine, especially relating to the heart and digestive system.
4. Bones, especially small bones from fish or poultry. Never feed a dog these items. This should be a no-brainer. Your dog will choke to death.
   
5. Milk and other dairy products. Domesticated animals can not handle the same milk and milk by-products to which humans are accustomed. Substitute lactose-free alternatives for your pet.
6. Liver. While acceptable on occasion, too much liver in a dog's diet can cause Vitamin A toxicity.
7. Chocolate, tea, coffee, or any foods or food products containing caffeine. Caffeine can seriously affect a dog's nervous and digestive systems and should be avoided at all costs.
8. Grapes and raisins. These contain a toxin which can damage a dog's kidneys.
9. Macadamia nuts. These can have a negative effect on your pet's digestive and nervous systems.
10. Raw eggs and raw fish. These uncooked foods can contain enzymes which affect B vitamin absorption. Such vitamin deficiency can cause a number of symptoms, including problems with the skin, hair, appetite and nervous system of your dog.
11. Mushrooms. While not always a problem, different varieties can contain toxins which will cause your dog to go into shock. Always avoid feeding a dog mushrooms.
12. Onions and garlic. They contain sulfides which can lead to anemia in domesticated cats and dogs.
13. Avoid overly sugary or salty foods. These aren't inherently toxic, but they simply represent an unhealthy and should not be fed to your dog.

Also, table scraps should comprise less than ten percent of your dog's diet. As previously mentioned, they can make for a welcome treat if your puppy behaves during a night at the dinner table. However, if you want your pet to stay on a healthy diet, leave it to the professionals and buy food that is manufactured and intended for dogs.