Can Dogs Eat Human Food?

Can dogs eat human food?

Generally yes, but the trouble is that not always will this food be healthier for them and certain foods like chocolate, grapes and onions may be dangerous to them

Like us, dogs are omnivores which means their digestive systems are tailored to the food of animals and vegetables alike. In short, they will eat whatever is given to them. The trouble is that not always will this food be healthier for them, in some cases as mentioned it may even endanger their lives.

Like humans, dogs need good nutrition and other things including proteins, lipids, amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins and proteins. The Industrial food we give them typically must be balanced and complete, ie contain all the elements that should satisfy an animal's nutritional needs.

Only in the last century did the commercialisation of industrial food for dogs begin, so what people fed their dogs until then? What some of us still feed them today; the remains of their meal.

Some salad, rice or starch remaining on the plate and leftover meat or chicken (boneless) which is all a dog needs

So why not continue to feed our dogs leftover meals? Ostensibly this should not be a problem, but it is important to remember that some foods us humans eat with pleasure for our dogs are poisonous. If they begin to eat them, in some cases they may even die.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains substances such as theobromine and caffeine. These substances are very toxic to dogs (and cats) and can be fatal for them.

Theobromine inhibits the link of nucleic acid on behalf of adenosine receptors in the brain whose job it is to visit the state of the animal's comments. Theobromine concentrations causes the acceleration of the pulse and increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. It also increases the concentration of calcium in the cells and thus increases the contraction of the skeletal muscle and heart.

The big problem is that dogs find it difficult to dismantle theobromine, and therefore its effects persist for a long time and can also affect the central nervous system.

Common symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs are vomiting, diarrhea, fever, amplification of urine, accelerated pulse and breathing rate and even stroke. Symptoms usually appear within 12 to 6 hours after exposure to chocolate.

Grapes and raisins

Grapes and raisins can cause a dog to vomit and have kidney failure. Although already in 1989 researchers managed to link these symptoms to eating grapes, it is not clear yet why the grapes are toxic to them and what is the active ingredient that affects them.

Side effects from eating grapes or raisins begin a few hours after the dog eats them and include vomiting and severe damage to the kidneys. Other symptoms include weakness, apathy, loss of appetite, diarrhea and excessive drinking.

Even a few ounces of grapes or raisins (depending on the size of the dog, of course) can cause them severe kidney failure. The statistics speak for 50 percent of deaths among dogs who ate grapes or raisins and taken for medical treatment.

Onions and Garlic

In onions and garlic there is a substance called Aliom which is toxic to dogs (and cats even more). The reason for its toxicity is due to the fact that dogs lack the protein responsible for the dissolution of Valium in the liver.

Effects begin within 24 hours but the clinical signs appear within two days to a week. Garlic and onions are many foods we eat.

If you notice that your dog is exposed to the toxic foods listed above, the recommendation is to make him/her vomit and empty their stomach. Vomiting will release some of the food from the body so the material will not absorb into the blood.

It is also important to seek treatment as soon as possible with a vet as may be necessary to hospitalise the dog, give them fluids and stabilise the situation.

What matters even more is to prevent the poison from the start. It is highly recommended to make sure that the food we give our dogs is balanced and full, and supplementary food that contains all the nutrients it needs.

In addition to products of which although not toxic may cause problems with digestion, one of them is liquid milk. In contrast, processed dairy products like cottage do not usually cause the same effect.

In general, there is no problem to ‘reward’ our dogs with our dinner leftovers, but it is important to take note of two important things.

First, we must make sure that the food we give them is not toxic. Secondly, please note that the food does not contain too many calories which will cause obesity. Just as in humans, everything should be in moderation.