There are a handful of ingredients that are well known to be toxic to dogs and cause digestive upset. Chocolate, caffeine, raisins, grapes, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol are all bad for dogs and can have terrible consequences. Some other ingredients are less well known, like those mentioned below. 

Looking to boost your dog’s health in the new year? Below are ingredients to avoid in order to keep your dog happy and healthy!

Are Peas and Legumes Healthy Protein for Dogs? 

Pulses are the edible seeds found inside some legumes, such as peas, beans, and lentils. Pulses are often used in dog food to add bulk to a meal. Not all legumes are dangerous for dogs. Peanuts are a legume and in moderation, natural peanut butter can be a delicious treat for dogs!  Similarly, giving your dog a few peas as a snack isn’t necessarily dangerous. 

While a small amount of pulses may not be harmful to dogs, a daily diet that uses a large quantity of pea protein or pulses has been linked to cardiac issues in dogs. While researchers are unable to say if a direct link exists, most nutritionists believe meals dense with pea protein are lacking other nutrients and the nutrient deficiency causes poor health in dogs, which could result in cardiac issues such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). 

Is Corn Good For Dogs?

Corn is often an added ingredient to dog food that is used to increase bulk and the protein concentration of your dog’s food. However, corn is not a beneficial protein source and doesn’t contain all of the essential amino acids that dogs need to thrive. Corn is also difficult for dogs to digest. Stick to healthy proteins that are rich in omega-3s and amino acids, like lean fish and cricket protein! 

Should I Feed My Dog Meat Byproducts, Meat Meals, Rendered Fat and Rendered Proteins? 

Meat byproducts and meat meals are the leftover animal products from animal processing that are included in pet food. They are often sold to pet food companies by large meat processing plants and include the bones, beaks, hooves, fur, and animal tissues that humans do not want to eat. These leftover animal products often include diseases and bacteria. Byproducts are melted down at extreme temperatures to create rendered fat and rendered protein that are added into pet food. Choose healthy fats and proteins instead that come from whole, minimally processed foods. 

Are Chicken and Beef Healthy for My Dog?

Top allergens for dogs, beef and chicken, are included in many pet products on the market. There are a few reasons to avoid these commodity meats. To increase the size of the animal for a greater quantity of meat, they’re often pumped full of hormones which eventually make their way onto your pet’s plate. Additionally, antibiotics are ingrained in agricultural practices for beef and poultry to help stave off the bacteria that runs rampant at industrialized farms. Antibiotic resistant bacteria continue to develop and are at risk of endangering the lives of our pets and us!

Can Dogs Have Dairy?

Adult dogs should avoid ingesting the milk of another animal. Many dogs, like humans, are lactose intolerant. Dairy products can cause digestive upset like diarrhea, flatulence, and vomiting. Milk-based products can also trigger allergies in dogs causing hot spots, skin irritation, and itching. Milk is also high in fat and sugars, which can lead to health issues such as obesity and pancreatitis. 

Can I Feed My Dog Leftover Bones?

Leftover bones, if they’ve been cooked, can be very dangerous to your dog. Cooked bones are soft, and likely to splinter. They can cause damage to your dog’s mouth and gums, and if small pieces are digested, they can harm the stomach and intestines. Cooked bones have very little nutritional value, so it’s better to just dispose of these than give them to your pup.

Can My Dog Have Sugar? Is Corn Syrup Bad for Dogs?  

Whipped cream, ice cream, and even some dog treats contain granulated sugar and/or corn syrup! Granulated sugar does not provide nutritional benefits to dogs and is not an ingredient they would naturally have found in the wild. Sugar consumption can lead to cavities, weight gain, metabolic changes, upset stomachs, and poor digestive health as the sugars feed bad bacteria in the body. 

Can Dogs Eat Garlic, Onion, and Avocado? 

Some fruits and veggies are toxic to dogs. Unfortunately, these are the most common foods that your dog is likely to get a hold of as they slip off your dinner plate or tumble off the counter while you’re preparing a meal. 

Onion and garlic are part of the allium family, a group of foods containing thiosulfate. Thiosulfate is a substance which dogs and cats cannot digest. It causes damage to red blood cells, resulting in hemolytic anemia, a condition in which not enough fresh oxygen is delivered to the body’s cells resulting in anemia.  

Avocados contain persin, an ingredient that leads to digestive upset and can cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. Additionally, avocados are high in fat content which can cause weight gain, gastrointestinal issues and even pancreatitis.