A pug was featured in a television program called Bad Dog on Animal Planet.
He is so cute like any other pug but his head is already too small for his fat body. He was nominated as a “bad dog” for being a “pizza monster,” a dog who loves pizza so much that he would even get pizza scraps from the trash can and sleep with them.
His owners found this funny and bought him more pizza.
If they found him adorable for being a pizza addict, why was he nominated as a “bad dog” then?
Simple. His owners—who are on the heavy side themselves—are actually proud of their dog’s “unique” addiction.
Is this good or bad? Of course it is bad. It is not good for his health to become obese.
Is the dog good or bad? Of course not. He didn’t ask to be programmed to like pizza. He never knew what pizza was like before his owners decided to give him pizza again and again. It was his owners who turned him into a pizza addict.
As pet lover John Grogan said: “There is no such thing as a bad dog, just a bad owner.”
★★★★★
Bad food for dogs
The following are definitely a no-no for your dogs. Foodbeast explains why.
1. Grapes/raisins
These can kill your pet. It is not known what chemicals or compounds are in grapes that cause toxicity. But when your pet eats a grape or raisin, it can cause rapid kidney failure.
Here are the symptoms to watch out for:
* vomiting
* diarrhea
* lethargy
* dehydration
* lack of appetite
Please bring your pet to the veterinarian immediately when you observe one or two of these signs. Your pet can die within three to four days due to kidney failure.
2. Avocado
A toxin called persin is in that delicious avocado. The toxin is in the leaves, pits, bark, and fruit.
Avocados can have toxic effects on dogs depending on the variety. They can cause upset stomachs in dogs, breathing difficulties, and fluid buildup in the chest.
The most dangerous is the pit. Since it is slippery, the dog can accidentally swallow it, and this can lead to obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Chocolates
The more methylxanthines in food, the higher the toxicity level for dogs. Unfortunately, chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine. These are methylxanthines.
The phrase “the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous” is true for dogs. White chocolates contain fewer methylxanthines therefore has less toxicity. But then again, never give any food with toxins to your pet.
Your dog can experience any one, two, or all of these effects of chocolate on dogs:
* vomiting
* dehydration
* abdominal pains
* severe agitation
* muscle tremors
* irregular heart rhythm
* elevated body temperature
* seizures
* death
3. Garlic
Garlic has compounds that are toxic to dogs. The adverse effects on the red blood cells will not show in a few days but your pet will be lethargic, reluctant to move, or look tired. Your pet’s urine will be orange to dark red in color.
Please bring your pet to the vet immediately as blood transfusion might be required in severe cases.
4. Milk
Dogs do not have the enzymes to break down milk sugar.
Possible effects of milk consumption are:
* vomiting
* diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems
Milk consumption is not life-threatening but it can contribute to a serious bacterial infection which can lead to an equally serious illness.
5. Onions
Onions have compounds that are harmful to dogs. The red blood cells of dogs will likely be damaged, and will lead to a weak dog who can not move around. A lot of ingested onions will damage more red blood cells which might require blood transfusion.
6. Cheese
Cheese contains sugar and fatty components which dogs can not break down as they don’t have the necessary enzymes.
Cheese and other dairy products, when ingested in excess, can cause:
* diarrhea
* vomiting
7. Macadamia nuts
While the chemicals in macadamia nuts are not known yet, it has been recorded that these nuts cause a toxic reaction if ingested.
The effects of these nuts are:
* weakness
* inability to walk, specifically problem in the use of the hind legs
* vomiting
* staggering gait
* depression
* tremors
* hypothermia
8. Apple cores, and cores of pears, apricot, peaches and plums
The core of these fruits contain cyanide or cyanogenic glycosides, thus, make sure not to leave these lying around. Also, please make sure the lid of your trash bin is closed when you throw fruit cores.
The symptoms of poisoning thru fruit core consumption are:
* dizziness
* difficulty in breathing
* seizures
* collapsing
* hyperventilation
* shock
* coma
9. Bread dough
Raw yeast dough will become toxic when it ferments in a dog’s stomach.
The yeast dough, when it expands in your dog’s stomach or intestines, will create a large amount of gas in the digestive system. This is very painful for the dog and can lead to ruptured stomach or intestinal tract. Other effects are vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and lethargy.
10. Caffeine
Sorry but only a stupid owner will give coffee to their dogs. Any drink with caffeine is bad for your pet actually.
Coffee has methylated xanthine which stimulates the nervous system in dogs. This, in turn, causes vomiting, restlessness, heart palpitations, and, worse, death.
11. Bacon
Any food rich in fat can result in pancreatitis in dogs. Once a dog has developed pancreatitis, their pancreas becomes inflamed and stops functioning correctly. Problems in digestion and nutrient absorption will occur.
12. Alcohol
If it’s bad for humans, it’s bad for dogs.
Foodbeast notes: “It should also be noted that the amount of damage these foods can do vary on the specific breeds and sizes of your dogs. Like humans, all dogs are different and can react differently to foods. Though it’s better to keep them away from these foods just for good measure.”
When you see the symptoms mentioned above, please see a veterinarian immediately. Do not hesitate to inform your vet what your dog ate. Being honest with your vet will save your pet’s life.
Every now and then, researchers record other food that are bad for dogs. This list contains the most dangerous food for your pet. In succeeding columns, we will add to this list.
Now, let’s go back to the pug who is a pizza addict. After reading what is bad for dogs, do you still find it cute and good for your pet to eat pizza or anything he asks with those “kawawa” round eyes?
Note that pizza contains bread dough, milk, cheese, sometimes onions and garlic. With just a slice, you are actually slowly killing your dog.
Would you do that to a best friend, to a loved one? Of course not.
As Dr. Scott Peck, author of the Road Less Travelled, said: genuine love requires tough love. Tough love means, he said, doing what will make your loved one a better person/dog no matter how uncomfortable any act of love is.
Let us be honest with ourselves and go back to what we learned last Sunday. Your pet does not know what pizza tastes like or smells like before you gave him that slice. Your dog does not know chocolates exist before you gave him chocolates.
Dogs are simple beings. They eat, they sleep, they play, they poop, they urinate, they walk, they run… They depend on YOU for everything: on when you will feed them or play with them, on what you will decide to give your pet or what activity your pet will have for the day. YOU are their world.
Remember this the next time you see your pet begging for YOUR food. Remember to do only the best for your loving, lovable pet so he or she will live for many years as one happy, healthy doggy.
Namaste!
