Many dog owners wonder if giving their dog a treat from the dinner table will really hurt them or if they should order prescription pet food online. Afterall, many of the things that are listed in Iams dog food ingredient list seem like options that we have in the kitchen cabinet.
Some human foods, while perfectly safe for us, contain chemical compounds that make them potentially toxic when consumed by dogs, resulting in a variety of health issues such as obesity, liver failure, allergic reactions, seizures and even death. In this post we list five of the most dangerous foods you should never feed dogs:

1. Chocolate and caffeine
Chocolate and caffeine is highly toxic to dogs because chocolate and coffee contain high levels of theobromine, which is used in the medical industry as a heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator and diuretic. However, while humans can easily metabolize theobromine, dogs aren’t capable of metabolizing this compound. This makes canines more susceptible to symptoms of high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, diarrhea, vomiting, and agitation. If your dog consumes chocolate, please contact a veterinarian and monitor for symptoms.

2. Grapes and raisins
Raisins and grapes are one of the most toxic foods you can feed your dog. Even though the medical community is not able to determine which substance in the fruit causes negative reactions in dogs, they do know that when dogs and cats consume grapes it can cause sudden kidney failure and it can be fatal as well. Some of the signs and symptoms of grape intoxication in dogs include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, kidney failure, increased thirst, and dehydration.

3. Onions and garlic
Regardless if an onion or garlic is fried, powdered, raw or cooked, it should never be given to a dog. All parts of these plants are toxic because of a compound called N-propyl disulfide. When this chemical compound is consumed by dogs, it can lead to a breakdown of red blood cells which subsequently triggers anemia. Essentially, this toxicity causes oxidative damages to the red blood cells in dogs, by intertwining itself with the oxygen molecules in the blood cell.

4. Uncooked eggs
Uncooked eggs seem like an ideal treat for dogs, because of their high protein content. But, by giving your dog raw eggs you’ll be putting it at risk of getting salmonella. Additionally, raw eggs are rich in an enzyme called avidin. Avidin is an enzyme which reduces the body’s ability to absorb biotin. Therefore, dogs that consume uncooked eggs could end up experiencing a biotin deficiency. A biotin deficiency can cause devastating side effects such as flaky, dry or crusty skin, loss of fur, dry and brittle hair, and slow metabolism (increased weight gain).

5. Raw bones and meat
Contrary to popular belief, raw meat and bones are not ideal for every dog’s diet. While it may be true that your pet can get several benefits from consuming raw food, raw bone and meat consumption comes with its own sets of risks as well. For starters, contamination from bacteria such as salmonella. Additionally, raw meat and bones do not have an adequate amount of nutrients. As such, dogs who solely eat raw food, tend to develop vitamin deficiencies. Additionally, your dog may choke on bones or break a tooth while it attempts to chew and break down a bone.