The following is a quick rundown on things in your pantry that you should never, ever feed your dog. Some of these listed foods may shock you. At least there were more than a few surprises for us. Our sponsor, Dr. Marty, brings this tip to you. For a limited time, save 54% on your first order and get a free bag of Dr. Marty’s bestselling dog treats. Tap or click here to visit DrMartyPets.com/Kim or text KIM to 511511.
1. Chocolate
This is probably one of the most well-known items on this list. The theobromine and caffeine that chocolate contains are potent enough to completely shut down your dog’s nervous system, even in tiny doses.
2. Alliums like onions, chives and garlic
Garlic is one of the most dangerous foods for dogs. The compounds this family of pungent plants contains can cause anemia in dogs, preventing their hearts from delivering vital oxygen to every body part.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains volatile oils that may irritate the inside of your dog’s mouth and digestive tract. It’s also a natural way to lower one’s blood sugar. The effect is often beneficial to humans, but the sudden drop can be very dangerous for a dog of any size.
4. Macadamia nuts
Believe it or not, macadamia nuts are extremely dangerous for our canine friends. After consumption, they may cause vomiting, poor coordination, muscle weakness and other neurocognitive side effects, including death.
5. Grapes and raisins
Eating even a single grape or raisin is enough to jeopardize your dog’s life. These sweet treats for humans are linked with severe kidney dysfunction, although the exact chemical responsible for this effect is, at this point, not entirely understood.
6. Excess salt
Salty food should always be kept out of reach of your pup. Some breeds of dogs may be especially susceptible to issues like water retention and complications that tend to follow, such as organ failure and cardiovascular disease.
7. Small choking hazards
Dog owners sometimes overlook this one. Just like the parent of a small child, you should avoid giving your dog access to small, hard bites they may choke on. These include things like nuts and even tiny bones.
How to dog-proof your kitchen
A scoop of peanut butter here and there is harmless enough. However, double-check anything else you put in your dog’s bowl. As long as you steer clear of these seven notorious offenders, your kitchen should be a reasonably safe place for your dog to hang out and explore. We recommend keeping your pantry closed, preventing any curious canines from digging into something they shouldn’t. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Bonus: The pet food Kim feeds her dog, Abby
What are you feeding your dog? Chances are, even if it’s premium or organic dog food, it contains 50% to 64% processed cereal byproducts with little nutritional value. For 45+ years, Dr. Marty Goldstein has been a pioneer in pet nutrition. Nature’s Blend is a premium freeze-dried, raw dog food made in North America, designed to mimic what your dog would eat in the wild. Get this: 81% of the food is made from real cuts of raw turkey, raw beef, raw salmon and raw organ meats. The rest is omega-3-rich seeds, superfood veggies and fruits. They offer a hassle-free, full refund within 90 days of purchase if your dog doesn’t love it. For a limited time, save 54% on your first order, plus get a free bag of Dr. Marty’s bestselling dog treats. Tap or click here to visit DrMartyPets.com/Kim or text KIM to 511511.