Never Feed Your Dog These Foods, No Matter How Much They Beg

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there’s one constant at all my meals: My dog giving me the cutest, saddest puppy dog eyes, begging for a bite. No matter what I’m eating, he wants some! I admit, I do tend to sneak him a taste more often than not, but I’m meticulous about always making sure it’s a safe food for him to eat. Now that it’s almost Christmas, I know he’s going to want to try all the delicious-smelling holiday treats we’re making — and I’m guessing your dog will feel the same way.

Which foods are dangerous for dogs?

Most of us know dogs can’t have chocolate or coffee, but do you know what other foods could be harmful? To keep our furry friends safe, we’ve compiled a list of holiday foods that are dangerous for dogs to eat.

Fatty Ham and Similar Meats

Fatty meats like ham, sausage, and roast pork are staples at many family celebrations, but they’re off limits for canines. Australian vet Dr. Tim Montgomery told the Daily Mail that these high-fat foods are hard for dogs to digest and could lead to severe complications. “Any foods that are very high in fat can cause stomach upsets and in severe cases pancreatitis,” Dr. Montgomery said. Some meats like chicken are still safe for dogs, and they’ll probably feel fine if they get a bit of the very lean pieces. Just avoid giving them the scraps at the end of your meal if you tend to not eat the fatty parts.

Garlic, Onions, and All of Their Friends

When it comes to seasoning our food, garlic and onions are must-haves; I’m pretty sure I add one or the other to almost all of my meals. But that makes most foods we eat dangerous for dogs, since they contain chemicals that could hurt them. Both foods — and all those in the allium family like shallots, leeks, and scallions — have a chemical called thiosulfate that is toxic to dogs. The component attacks their red blood cells and could cause anemia if they eat a lot of it. So if your holiday feast includes any of these, it’s best not to let your dog have a taste.

Sides With Grapes and Raisins

If you add grapes and raisins to your dishes, make sure your dog doesn’t get into any of them. While not all dogs react badly to grapes and raisins, the sweet treats can be fatal to some. This one is especially scary, since intoxication symptoms can take a few days to be noticeable. By then, it’s often too late to help your beloved little friend, said Dr. Montgomery. “We don’t fully understand it, and not all animals that eat grapes will get sick, but the ones that do can die, so it’s important to take it seriously,” he added.

In general, it’s best to avoid giving human food to dogs, since many additives that are fine for humans can be irritating for our four-legged friends. But when you just can’t resist, make sure you avoid these foods that are dangerous for dogs. Your best friend will be happy you did.