Human foods to avoid for cats and dogs
Common toxic foods for dogs
Top 10 toxins for dogs are:
The seeds contain cyanide.
Apple seeds have trace amounts of cyanide, which can be toxic in large quantities. Your dog would have to eat a lot of seeds to have a problem—but it's still better to be safe and remove the seeds before giving any apple slices to your dog.
Common foods that are toxic and can potentially kill dogs include; grapes, raisins, avocados, chocolate, xylitol (an artificial sweetener), fruit stones and pips (including apple cores and plums), onion, garlic, macadamia nuts, raw eggs, alcohol, caffeine, bread dough, liver, raw fish, milk and cheese.
Dogs can eat cheese in moderation, but too much may cause digestive issues due to lactose intolerance. Avoid cheeses that are toxic to dogs, like blue cheese. Low-fat, low-lactose options like mozzarella are safer choices. Cheese should be an occasional treat, making up no more than 10% of your dog's daily diet.
Heartworm disease is among the top silent killers of dogs and cats, and it's a slow and insidious disease which gradually incapacitates them. By the time pet owners notice the giveaway signs of this disease, serious damage may already have been caused.
Dogs should not eat grapes, raisins, currants (can cause kidney failure), avocados (persin toxin), cherries, plums, peaches, apricots (pits/seeds contain cyanide & are choking hazards), or citrus fruits like lemons/limes (cause stomach upset). Also avoid the green parts of tomatoes and wild berries, and be cautious with seeds/pits from many fruits due to cyanide and obstruction risks.
Plain, cooked potatoes (boiled, baked, or mashed without butter or seasoning) are best for dogs. Avoid raw potatoes, green parts, fries, and heavily seasoned dishes, which can be toxic or cause digestive issues. Moderation is key. All treats combined should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily diet.
Avocados are high in fat, which can cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, a digestive organ. In some cases, this condition can even be fatal. Some dogs can develop pancreatitis even if they only eat a small amount of avocado pulp.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially for rescues, showing a dog's typical adjustment phases: 3 Days (overwhelmed, decompression), 3 Weeks (settling in, learning routine, showing personality), and 3 Months (feeling at home, building trust, fully integrated). It's a framework to set expectations, reminding owners to be patient and provide structure, as every dog's timeline varies.
The leading cause of death in dogs, especially older dogs, is cancer (neoplasia), affecting about 1 in 4 dogs, similar to humans, with specific breeds at higher risk. Other significant causes include old age, heart disease, digestive disorders (like bloat), infectious diseases (like Parvo), and trauma, with sterilization influencing risks for cancer and infections.
Feeding your dog fatty foods, like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, or fried chicken, can upset your dog's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also lead to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas.
Metaldehyde is the most common known cause of dog deaths in cases referred to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS). Dogs may initially appear unsteady on their feet and twitchy, but may rapidly deteriorate and suffer continuous convulsions and possibly respiratory failure.
Yes, dogs can safely eat rice. In fact, white rice is often recommended by veterinarians as bland food for dogs that are having gastrointestinal issues.
The 90/10 rule for dogs means that 90% of their daily calories should come from a complete and balanced dog food, while only 10% should come from treats, chews, and table scraps, preventing weight gain and ensuring proper nutrition. This guideline helps owners manage treat portions, preventing unbalanced diets and health issues like obesity, joint problems, and diabetes, as treats can be surprisingly high in calories, even healthy ones.
There's no single "healthiest" vegetable, but carrots, green beans, and broccoli are top contenders, offering vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, with carrots being great for teeth and vision, green beans for weight management, and broccoli providing immune support in small amounts. Other excellent choices include sweet potatoes, spinach, and cucumbers, providing hydration, Vitamin A, and essential minerals, but always serve them plain, cooked or raw, and in moderation as treats.
Packed with dairy and butter, this dish should never be given to your pup. Mashed potatoes contain large amounts of fat, which are likely to cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset, such as diarrhea or even pancreatitis. Gravy is equally harmful and very high in sodium and fat.
With the dramatic rise in demand for grain and gluten free pet foods over the past decade, potatoes were found to be a great nutritional carbohydrate source to use in place of rice, barley, and oats. Potatoes are very easily tolerated and digestible for most dogs and cats.
Although blueberries are a healthy treat, their small size could present a choking hazard for some dogs. Eating too many could also result in digestive upset. Cavities in dogs are rare but may form if they eat too much sugar. Blueberries may be healthy, but they also contain sugar, so feed in moderation.
Dogs should not eat onions, garlic, leeks, and chives (Allium family) as they cause anemia; avocados due to potential toxicity and blockage from pits; green parts of tomatoes and potatoes, and unripe tomatoes as they contain toxic solanine; and corn cobs which are a choking/blockage hazard, though cooked corn kernels are fine in moderation. Wild mushrooms are also a major risk, and some sources suggest limiting peas due to links with heart disease.
Don't keep your pup in suspense any longer. Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter as long as it is fed in moderation and does not contain xylitol, so get out that pet-safe peanut butter jar and share the good news.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially for rescues, showing a dog's typical adjustment phases: 3 Days (overwhelmed, decompression), 3 Weeks (settling in, learning routine, showing personality), and 3 Months (feeling at home, building trust, fully integrated). It's a framework to set expectations, reminding owners to be patient and provide structure, as every dog's timeline varies.
Rather than sit, a watch, steady, focus or chill command might be used. Similarly, instead of down a relax, settle, or SOFT command might be considered, while follow or heel should be used for a calm, loose leash walk, and go to your mat should mean go settle down in your bed.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.