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Types Of Foods You Should Not Feed Your Pet Canine

You can feed a dog just about anything, and odds are, the dog will eat it up without thinking twice. This is a cause of concern for pet owners, as there are many types of foods that will do damage to the health of a dog. It’s important to learn which foods should be avoided to keep dogs healthy.

Garlic and onions, and anything that may contain them, should not be given to dogs. Onion and garlic can damage the red blood cells of both cats and dogs. This includes any raw ingredients, powders, and products that have been prepared with trace amounts of either substance. An example would be with baby food, which often contains a trace amount of either garlic or onion for flavoring purposes.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that can also harm your dog. You find xylitol in most types of gum, as it is an artificial sweetener. It is also the main ingredient in alternative sugar substitutes. The sweetener can cause liver failure if eaten in moderate quantities, so it’s best to avoid your dog eating it even in small amounts.

Dairy products and dogs do not mix very well. There are some dogs that are able to “stomach” dairy products, but not every dog has the proper digestive system to take care of the enzymes in most dairy products. This includes milk, sour cream, cheese, and products derived from any of these products. If you notice your dog has diarrhea, it’s possible the problem is with dairy.

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.

Final Thoughts

Dogs don’t have the ability to make proper eating decisions themselves- they will often eat anything in front of them, edible or not. Formulate a diet for your dog that corresponds with what your local veterinarian has mentioned as advice- and be sure to stick to the plan.

Learn more on Flint River Ranch Dog Food and Flint River Ranch Pet Food.