Dispelling Myths About Human Foods for Dogs

Human foods for dogs is a hot topic, which is why I’d like to dispel a few common myths surrounding bad food for dogs. I’ll also go over human foods we already know are bad for dogs just as a refresher.

Human Foods for Dogs

Myth: Bones

So many times, I hear well-meaning dog owners delicately explain to others that animal bones are considered poisonous to dogs. Believe it or not, raw bones are harmless when given in its natural state. Cooked bones, however, are an accident waiting to happen inside your dog. Cooking bones removes all moisture and causes bones to splinter, which can cause internal bleeding and obstructions. They’re also extremely difficult to digest, so most are either vomited or get caught while passing through the digestive tract. Now, picture these brittle and sharp blades passing along tissue. You can most certainly understand why cooked bones are extremely harmful.

Raw bones are soft, bendable and free of hard ends because their moisture is rich. When given with meat, raw bones are easily chewed, preventing them from getting stuck in a dog’s digestive track. Raw chicken wings and necks are the best examples of perfect bone-to-flesh ratio. They’re easy to chew, swallow and pass out the other end. 🙂

I’m not saying everyone needs to feed his dogs raw bones, but I want to make sure everyone is aware that raw bones are good and cooked bones are bad.

Myth: Raw Meat

Raw meat is actually great for your dog. It’s not poisonous. Healthy dogs and puppies digest raw fresh meats easier than kibble. With the huge dog food recall in 2007, may dog owners cringed when another kibble was on the bad list. Most recalls were due to tainted outsourced ingredients, causing hundreds of dog deaths.

Lately, many dog foods are still recalled due to bacteria hidden deep within kibble and raw meat. Understand that healthy dogs can deal with many strains of bacteria. I mean think about it: many dogs eat their own poop and survive. 🙂 When I say healthy dogs, I’m referring to dogs free of disease, as disease can most certainly cause acute reactions to bacteria since their immune system is depressed.

Most bacteria-infested recalls are for our safety, so we’re aware of their hidden dangers. Ground products are more susceptible because bacteria can easily hop in mixtures whereas whole meats (steaks, chicken wings and turkey necks) may have bacteria on the surface (which can be easily rinsed off), but the inside is completely safe.

Kibble is not immune to bacteria. Remember bacteria love hopping and hiding in ground meats, including fruits, vegetables and grain mixtures. Even though kibble is cooked, bacteria are still present. Hence, so many kibbles listed on dog food recall lists.

If you decide to feed a raw diet, you should take precautions, such as washing your hands after feeding, disinfecting surfaces and maintaining cleanliness. Unfortunately, we’re more susceptible to bacteria invasions than our dogs.

RELATED: Homemade Diets for Dogs

Fact: Chocolate, Onions, Avocados & Grapes

Now that a few human food for dog myths have been dispelled, let’s review a few common human foods that are truly toxic to dogs. It’s important to keep chocolate, onions, avocado and grapes (even raisins) away from our dogs. Pits from stoned fruit are another hazard because they’re indigestible and can cause obstructions. Also, pits will break your dog’s teeth, as they’re rock hard.

Fact: Fried Foods

Fried foods are horrible for dogs. Most dogs eat lean diets. Dogs that eat kibble keep their fat intake below 20 percent. Tossing fried chicken skin, fatty parts of meat and other fat-filled foods can send your dog’s digestive system into red alert.

When working as a vet technician many years ago, I painfully remember a Chihuahua that died after eating one slice of Pizza Hut pizza. Think about it: if you’re not used to fatty foods and I bring you down to Louisiana and pump you full of gumbo and fried seafood, your stomach will hurt and it’s your pancreas that takes the hit. Pancreatitis is extremely painful and can kill humans and dogs alike.

Fact: Xylitol

Another human food deadly to dogs, even in small amounts, is xylitol. This stuff is an artificial sweetener found in most sugarless processed foods, including chewing gum. This stuff is so deadly to dogs that my husband switched to another brand of chewing gum without this awful stuff. Yes, dogs have died after consuming as little as half a stick of xylitol gum. Also, keep your dogs from snatching chewed gum on sidewalks. You never know if it contains xylitol and it’s gross. 🙂

We’ve not only busted a few myths, but we’ve also reviewed common human foods that are bad for dogs. If something happens, please call Pet Poison Help Hotline at (855) 764-7661. They may charge a small fee, but it’s worth every penny due to their expert guidance.