A friend of mine, Bonnie Lupton, wrote this after a visit to Hawaii. While eating avocados has apparently not been harmful to Jake, a poodle in Pittsburgh or a dachshund in Denver may very well have a different reaction. By knowing what we shouldn't feed our dogs, we can help them lead happier and healthier lives.
Walking along a winding road on the North Shore of Kauai, I meet
Jake, an elderly statesman of a Dog. He happily waddled down the road
alone on his daily walk, with a shiny green orb in his mouth. He had
been out hunting for avocados.
I enjoyed watching Jake stop and relish a hunk of the pale green
flesh that can only be described as avocado in color. In the 1970’s,
avocado was all the rage. Splashed across the pages of Better Homes and
Gardens Magazines and the homes of the rich and the famous. It was a
color that felt at home in the kitchens of American suburbs. There is no
other color like the color avocado; I was intrigued how the unique
color had avoided staining the fur around Jake’s mouth.
I once shared a home with a wheaten Scottish terrier named Brandy,
who would sit up and beg whenever I made guacamole. She would smear the
green paste into her tufts of beard like a facial mask staining her fur.
I had not formally been introduced to Jake, but I had heard of his
passion for the “alligator pear”. I was happy to make
his acquaintance. He wagged his tail, the canine version of a
gentlemanly tip of his hat. He swathered down the road, a king in his
domain. Firmly yet tenderly he held the avocado between his jaws. Like a
mother carrying her pup, never bruising or tearing the skin in transit.
A few feet away, he settled down on the matching green grass and began
“peeling the skin”. With a tug he pulled away the armor that shielded
the green flesh and began gnawing at the fruit.
Watching Jake relish his morning breakfast, I thought about dogs and
avocados. I remember with worry some neighbor scolding me that avocados
are harmful to dogs, similar to chocolates and birth control pills. My
history with furry family members includes stories of stealth raids that
ended with large amounts of all three being consumed.
Jake was clearly a master of his own life. According to his,
pleasure he shared moments with two legged friends and families. It was
obvious that there would be no way to do an intervention to Jake’s
avocado addition. Was he really in danger of harming his health?
Human food that dogs must not eat!
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and the dried variety of grapes, including raisins and sultanas, can cause severe kidney damage.
Potatoes which are green or the potato has sprouted
Green potatoes or potato sprouts contain solanine glycosides which can
cause vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, nervous system
stimulation, depression, trembling, paralysis and cardiac arrest.
Tea, Coffee or Caffeine Fortified Sports Drinks
Caffeine impacts the central nervous system and the heart. Symptoms of
caffeine poisoning can include vomiting, a rapid or irregular heartbeat
and often death.
Fat Trimmings from Ham, Chicken, Turkey and other meats
Never give your dog fat trimmings from meat and especially from ham.
High fat consumption could lead to an attack of pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis can range in severity from mild to life threatening and is
an extremely painful condition for your pet to endure. Turkey skin is
also very high in fat content. Unfortunately, veterinarians see sizable
increases in pancreatitis over Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Chocolate
Dogs
should never eat chocolate. Chocolate contains a stimulant diuretic
called theobromine which affects the central nervous system and
cardiovascular of the dog. If you have reason to think your dog has
eaten chocolate, seek veterinary advice immediately. Ingestion of
chocolate can cause death. Cooking or baker,s chocolate contains the most
theobromine, followed by dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white
chocolate.
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea,
restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle tremors or seizures, increased
urination and increased heart rate.
Be especially careful with chocolate.
Dogs just love the smell and taste of chocolate, and no matter how
normally well-behaved a dog may be, they cannot seem to resist the
temptation of chocolate. Please be aware and do not leave a chocolate,
chocolate bars or cookies anywhere that your dog might find it in your
absence. Never give your dog chocolate ice cream.
Avocados
The peel, fruit, pit and avocado plant are all toxic. They can cause
difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate and fluid accumulation in the
chest cavity, abdomen and heart.
Yeast Bread Dough
Dough that contains yeast can expand and produce gas in the digestive
system, causing severe pain and possible rupture of the stomach or
intestines.
Tobacco
Nicotine affects the digestive and nervous systems. ingestion of tobacco
products can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma and death. Dogs
seem to be attracted to the scent of tobacco and many have been known
to chew on cigarette packages. Be careful not to leave them laying
about.
Hops
Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.
Written by Bonnie J. Lupton
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