By: Kori Teets

Sometimes you just can’t help it when your pup comes up to you in the middle of your meal with sad eyes. Most of us feel compelled to throw them a piece of what is on our plates with the intentions of spoiling them just a little bit. However, without proper knowledge of what dogs should intake, and what they shouldn’t as far as “people food” goes, you end up not spoiling them, but their stomachs. Here is a few common foods, and why they are harmful to your pet.

• Chocolate and other foods that contain Caffeine: Caffeine contains theobromine, which acts as a cardiac stimulant, something we as humans can handle, but our pets cannot.
• Onions & Garlic: Both are potentially dangerous due to the fact that both contain thiosulphate, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
• Milk: Milk can harm your pet simply because many dogs and cats tend to be lactose intolerant. If a dog/cat is intolerant, milk consumption creates a breeding ground for bacteria, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
• Bones: Although commonly known as a great treat for your dog, bones are potentially dangerous for pets. Once eaten, bones can splinter or get stuck in the intestines.
• Lastly, here are some foods, often found in the trash that you want to avoid your pet eating: potato peelings, green tomatoes, moldy/spoiled foods and nuts.

Spoiling our dogs with a tasty treat is okay every once in a while, just as long as it’s deemed safe first to ensure a healthy life for our pets.