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4 autumn foods dog parents must be extra cautious of, warns vet
Fall is officially here and preparations for upcoming celebrations are in full swing. While pet parents want to ensure their furry babies are a part of the festive season, they ought to be extra careful.
As with elements of Easter that can cause health hazards in your pet, several signature autumn foods are believed to be dangerous, especially for dogs. So, keep the following treats and spices away from your puppy’s reach.
4 autumn foods that can be dangerous for your dog
Most pet parents give in to the puppy eyes and feed their dogs anything and everything they ask. This practice is highly discouraged by vets as it can be particularly dangerous in the current season headlined by spices, chocolates, and more.
Experienced veterinarian Dr. Adam Christman warns pet parents about autumn foods found almost everywhere and can cause serious health issues in dogs when consumed in tiny amounts. If you have these at home, make sure your pooch doesn’t find them.
Halloween treats
Halloween treats mostly consist of chocolates and candies which are made of substances that aren’t suitable for dogs.
Your pet can suffer from chocolate toxicity by ingesting a small amount of the sugary treat as it contains caffeine and theobromine which their bodies can’t effectively metabolize.
You can give them dog-friendly Halloween treats instead and they can be easily found on shopping sites or physical stores.
Seasonal spices
Dogs are notorious for chewing on random things. Even though your dog may dislike the taste of seasonal spices it doesn’t stop it from accidentally ingesting the same.
Dr. Adam’s video warns that even small amounts of garlic or onion seasoning can cause gastrointestinal or respiratory issues in your dogs among other red blood cell-related problems that can be avoided.
He writes: “Not toxic, but large amounts of nutmeg cause high blood pressure, hallucinations & heart problems.”
Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins are one of the most toxic foods for dogs. They are so dangerous that “just one grape or raisin can be fatal” in some cases.
Popular autumn fruit can also cause kidney failure in your dog. Visit the vet immediately if your pooch has accidentally eaten it.
Sugar-free treats
It’s a myth that human treats are safe for dogs as long as they are sugar-free. The sugar substitute called xylitol can be “extremely toxic to dogs,” warns the vet.
He further explains: “Each piece of sugar-free gum contains enough xylitol to make a small dog deathly ill. Causes seizures and complete liver in a matter of hours.”
Adam Christman is a certified veterinarian working as the Chief Veterinary Officer of MJH Life Sciences. He completed his MBA and CVPM (Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) from Webster University.
