Pet Ownership For Everyone

Four Things To Avoid Feeding Your New Dog

One mistake that many new dog owners make is not knowing exactly what they can and cannot feed their pup. It's important that you only feed your pup foods that have been made specifically to meet a dog's dietary needs. That means being particularly selective about any table scraps you might feed as well as any other foods you offer. Here are a few of the things that you should avoid giving your new pup.

Anything High In Fat

Dogs aren't able to process high-fat foods in the same way that humans are, so foods that are high in fats can be problematic for your new pooch. In fact, high-fat foods can damage your dog's pancreas, leading to a condition like pancreatitis. It can cause things like diarrhea, poor appetite, vomiting and stomach pain.

Nuts or Fruit

Be selective about any fruit or nut that you offer your dog. Nuts can be problematic both for the fat content and because of things like muscle weakness and tremors. Macadamia nuts are a particularly problematic option, because even small amounts can cause these problems. Also, grapes, raisins and similar fruits can cause kidney failure and avocado can cause vomiting and diarrhea. In fact, every part of the avocado contains persin, and that's what leads to upset in a dog's system. Don't feed your pup the avocado slices from your sandwich or any leftover guacamole.

Anything Raw

While you might have heard about the popularity of a raw diet for dogs, it's not always in your dog's best interest. Raw meats and eggs can carry bacteria. The very same bacteria that can make people sick can do the same in your dog. In addition to vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea, you may even find that raw eggs interfere with your dog's ability to absorb biotin, which can be damaging to their skin and coat.

Synthetic Sweeteners

Any foods with a sugar substitute should be kept far away from your dog. Substitutes like xylitol can actually cause dogs to suffer low blood sugar. This can lead to weakness, disorientation and ultimately liver damage.

The more you understand about which foods you should never pass on to your dog from the table, the safer your new pup will be. Talk with a breeder like Bar R Kennels for more information about the best food to buy for your dog based on their genetic makeup and the needs of that particular breed.