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.

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.

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.

Two things to always stay away from would include caffeine, and a special emphasis on chocolate as it contains caffeine. Caffeine will speed up the system of the dog and lead to major heart problems that often result in death. Because it is so serious, caffeine in any shape or form should never be given to a dog. Caffeine can also cause the dog to become hyperactive, which given the circumstances, will be fatal to the 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.

In Conclusion

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 about Flint River Ranch Dog Food and Flint River Ranch Pet Food.