What can't dogs eat? In this publication I will try to list The most dangerous foods for dogs' health and give an explanation of why they cannot be given to dogs.
Once on the pages of my blog, I already discussed the topic - In that article, I substantiated my position on why I decided to stop at dry food.
Photo by Victoria Makarova
However, I periodically pamper my tailed dogs with a small amount of natural food. It is given to dogs as a treat and an additional source of nutrients.
Currently, on the Internet you can find a huge amount of diverse and sometimes contradictory information about what not to feed a dog. Let's figure it out together - what is really dangerous, and what in small quantities will not only not harm the animal, but may even be useful.
Let’s just agree right away that this article does not apply to elderly, sick dogs, as well as animals prone to allergic reactions. I also make a special emphasis - if you have just switched your dog to natural food, or you have a miniature pet (and we know that such breeds usually have a very vulnerable pancreas) - it is better to refrain from food experiments!
Any natural diet for a dog should be based, first of all, on safety and taking into account the digestive characteristics of a particular animal.
So, 30 PRODUCTS PROHIBITED FOR DOGS- myths and reality:
1. DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG RAW MEAT.
There is an opinion that some breeds lack the genetic ability to digest raw meat. A person is also afraid of the possibility of infecting a dog with all kinds of helminths and infections (for example, salmonella or E. coli). As a result of such conclusions, a recommendation is born - to subject the meat to serious heat treatment.
In fact- if you boil meat for about an hour, it significantly loses its usefulness for the animal - microelements and vitamins are destroyed. At a temperature of about 60 degrees, protein denaturation begins, as a result of which its bioavailability is reduced by half!
Raw meat is good for any dog, regardless of age or breed. The most important thing is to process it correctly. It is believed that in meat frozen at a temperature of -18 degrees and below, all microbes and bacteria are killed. Therefore, I recommend keeping the meat frozen for about three days. If you introduce raw meat into your baby’s diet, at first you can cook it a little (not for long, about 5 minutes).
It is best to start introducing raw meat into your dog’s diet from puppyhood. If the baby or adult dog was not yet familiar with it, it is best to start with raw beef planed. You need to start introducing it little by little - a little bit, but every day. This also applies to dogs that eat dry food; they should also not be deprived of raw meat in their diet. This is especially important for large breed dogs and working dogs.
It is clear that fresh meat for dogs should only be taken from a safe place. I buy meat for my dogs in the same place as for myself, to be sure that it has passed all the necessary examinations.
Advice: No cut will bring as much benefit to your pet as meat containing various cartilages, films, veins, i.e. rich in connective tissues. Therefore, grade II lean soup beef, as well as its by-products, is the best choice for a person for his pet.
2. DOGS SHOULD NOT HAVE RAW FISH.
There is an opinion: If you regularly feed your dog fresh fish, this will certainly lead to undesirable negative consequences - decreased appetite, loss of vitamin B, and even urolithiasis. As a result of excess fish in the dog's diet, seizures can develop, and in rare cases, even death.
Actually: The enzyme thiaminase contained in some types of fish actually inhibits the synthesis and absorption of B vitamins (especially B1). Their deficiency leads to seizures and dysfunction of the central nervous system.
Other types of fish contain trimethylamine oxide, which prevents the body from absorbing iron and causes anemia.
In order to reach this state of health: 1. you need to feed the dog raw fish every day, 2. in fairly large quantities, 3. for a long period of time.
If you replace one or two meat meals per week with sea fish (because river and lake fish often contain helminths - tapeworm, etc.), the dog will will only be beneficial! Fish is an excellent source of vitamins A, D, B12, iodine and phosphorus. It has a beneficial effect on the condition of your pet's coat, skin and joints.
Advice: Fish it is advisable to feed a dog cleaned of scales, bones, entrails and gills.
3. DOG CANNOT HAVE PORK. 
Prerequisites:
1) Pigs can be intermediate carriers of the following diseases: nematodosis, taeniasis, helmitiasis.
2) Aujeszky's disease (latent rabies, rabid scabies, infectious bulbar palsy, pruritic plague) is a viral disease of farm animals of all types, fur-bearing animals and rodents. It is believed that people do not get sick from it, so meat is not tested for Aujeszky's disease viruses. For dogs, this disease is transient and fatal.
3) Fat content of pork.
In fact: Contrary to popular belief, your dog can sometimes be fed lean pork purchased from a reputable supplier (where the meat is subject to strict veterinary and sanitary inspection). Lean pork (lean parts) - tenderloin, carb, shoulder. You can also introduce pork cartilage (without fatty tissue on it), knuckles, ears and other parts of the carcass without excess fatty tissue into the dog’s diet.
Aujeszky's disease in some cases also affects humans. Secondly, carcasses with signs of damage characteristic of this disease are not allowed to be sold raw; they are sent for processing.
In addition, it is worth adding that pork, unlike beef and chicken, is hypoallergenic meat. Given its relatively low cost and wide availability, lean pork is an excellent option for owners of dogs with food sensitivities. (based on an article by veterinarian and veterinary nutritionist Valeria Ognevaya).
Personally, I think the best option is give the dog pork infrequently and exclusively low-fat.
Advice: Pork heart is much less fatty than, for example, veal heart. But the heart is a valuable product in the diet - it is a rich source of protein, fat, macro- and microelements.
Cause: The enzyme avidin, found in eggs, negatively affects the absorption of vitamin B and biotin, which can lead to coat and skin problems. There is also a risk of contracting salmonellosis.
Actually: The yolk is useful in its raw form, as it is more bioavailable and retains vitamins and microelements that are very valuable for dogs (D, lecithin), and helps reduce cholesterol levels.
For problems to occur, an animal must eat more than five raw chicken eggs per week. If you observe a sense of proportion and feed your dog 2-3 eggs a week, this will only be beneficial.
Quail eggs are especially useful; they are also best given raw. Feeding standards are as follows: for a medium-large dog, 2-3 quail or 2 raw chicken yolks. If you want to give eggs more often, then it would be appropriate to alternate raw eggs with a “lazy” omelette with cheese and vegetables.
Advice: Quail eggs useful to give along with crushed shells.
5. DOGS SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ONIONS AND GARLIC.
Cause: Contain disulfides and sulfoxides, which negatively affect red blood cells and contribute to the development of anemia. Interestingly, cats are much more sensitive than dogs in this regard, and onions are much more toxic than garlic.
Fact: In order for a dog to develop iron deficiency anemia, it must be fed at least 6 heads of garlic per week regularly and over a long period of time.
Previously, in large nurseries, experienced breeders regularly gave dogs garlic. Onion - found in small quantities in almost all natural classic recipes for dogs. By the way, Savva Khokhrin’s garlic was recommended for service breed dogs in the autumn-winter period.
However, remember that garlic can irritate your dog's gastrointestinal tract (if given on an empty stomach) and can also negatively affect your dog's sense of smell. Personally, I don't give onions and garlic to my dogs.
6. DO NOT GIVE POTATOES TO DOGS.
Theory: This vegetable, in its raw form, is a source of solanine, a dangerous and poisonous substance for dogs. Therefore, you should not give it to puppies, even when during the period of teeth change they want to chew secretly stolen potato skins.
If we talk about boiled potatoes, they are a rich source of slow carbohydrates, which tend to be deposited in the fat layer, and starch, in addition to weight gain, also helps to increase the hypoglycemic index. If the dog moves little, then he is at risk of becoming obese. This vegetable is also poorly digested by the dog’s gastrointestinal tract and can cause diarrhea.
Actually: potatoes, pasta and many cereals are not species-specific food for canines and are poorly absorbed by their gastrointestinal tract, so introducing them into the diet is not recommended. But giving your dog a couple of slices of raw peeled potatoes (if your pet is not indifferent to them) will certainly not cause any harm.
Potato peelings and potatoes that have a greenish color when cut - give Absolutely forbidden!
If you do not want to harm your dog's health, better not to give boiled potatoes/mashed potatoes/fries for the dog.
Considering all of the above, it is surprising that potatoes and potato starch can be found in some very expensive feeds as the main filler.
7. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO GIVE YOUR DOG BROCCOLI. 
Cause: The isocyanate contained in broccoli is a toxin for dogs, causing severe stomach irritation and can even cause death in large quantities. The amount of broccoli in the total mass of vegetables should not exceed 5%.
Objectively: In order for broccoli to significantly harm your pet, it must be given daily as the only vegetable. If you introduce broccoli into your diet periodically (a couple of times a week), this will only benefit your pet and enrich its menu.
The vitamin reserve contained in broccoli includes: A, E, C, K, B vitamins, as well as folic acid, copper, potassium and phosphorus. The amount of valuable beta-carotene in broccoli is on par with pumpkin and carrots.
Conclusion— introducing a small amount of broccoli into your dog’s diet will make it healthy and tasty for the animal.
8. NUTS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR DOGS. 
Cause: Many believe that nuts should absolutely not be given to a dog due to the high risk of developing allergies and the danger of negative effects on the pancreas, because nuts are a very fatty, oil-rich food.
Nevertheless: If there is no individual intolerance, nuts are a very valuable product, containing many valuable microelements for maintaining the heart muscle and nourishing the brain, as well as easily digestible protein.
But not all nuts are good for dogs!
Can Calmly feed several grains at a time: almonds, pine nuts, chestnuts, cashews, limited peanuts.
Not recommended: walnuts, pistachios, acorns, hazelnuts, nutmeg.
Nuts are not part of the diet and are given sporadically, as a “treat” - no more than three times a week and little by little.
9. TOMATOES ARE PROHIBITED FOR DOG. 
Noticed: If you regularly and abundantly feed tomatoes, your dog may experience an upset stomach, tremors, disturbances in the functioning of the heart muscle, and rapid heartbeat. Allergic reactions to tomatoes are common.
However: Giving tomatoes to your dog as a treat (in small quantities) is beneficial! It is best to treat your pet to tomatoes before meals - this is an excellent prevention against tartar and plaque. They are useful fresh and poached; they are a strong antioxidant; tomatoes help fight cancer and inflammatory processes.
10. CERTAIN FRUIT IS NOT ALLOWED FOR DOGS. 
For example:
Grapes and raisins contain a little-studied toxin that can cause kidney failure, with vomiting, increased urination and increased thirst - potential symptoms of poisoning.
Persimmon- causes stomach upset, contains a high content of sugars, and its seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
Avocado- contains persin, which causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Bananas- promote weight gain and cause weakness.
Citrus- a strong allergen for many dogs. May cause vomiting.
Peaches,quince and plum- lead to diarrhea, and eaten bones can contribute to intestinal obstruction. The cyanide contained in the seeds can accumulate and cause poisoning in the body.
11. DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED BONES. 
Base: lead to slagging of the body, perforation and gastrointestinal diseases, and spoil teeth.
Actually: Boiled bones are harmful, as well as strictly prohibited there are hollow tubular chicken bones. The classic BARF is built on meat bones *.
*BARF(Bones And Raw Food diet or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food diet) is a dog nutrition system based on raw natural foods.
Bones should be given with meat, fresh and in small quantities.
A trained dog familiar with this system can be given: chicken, turkey and ostrich necks, chicken wings (with care and the first joint removed), paws without claws, heads without beaks, beef bones - sugar bone, chicken backs (frames), beef vertebrae, beef shoulders, soft meat cartilage, veal knees, beef tail.
Cause: food allergies and misconceptions about the impact on diabetes.
Answer: Honey is a very healthy product for dogs; it is introduced into the diet of puppies, pregnant bitches, and convalescent animals. This is a real storehouse of microelements. And the fruit sugars it contains do not pose a risk of developing diabetes. It is given 2-3 times a week, 1 teaspoon - 2 tbsp. spoons (depending on the size of the dog). It is recommended to add honey to cottage cheese and treats.
13. SALT FOR DOGS IS POISON! 
Very often, salt is included in the list of prohibited foods for dogs.
Cause: When eaten in excessive quantities, salt leads to electrolyte imbalance, edema, and provokes diseases of cardio-vascular system and kidneys.
Answer: In the wild, the ancestors of our domestic dogs obtained salt from the blood of the victim. In the modern world, all meat is bled. Nevertheless, salt is important in a dog’s diet, but let’s say right away that it is several times less than what a person needs.
Savva Khokhrin in his famous book “Feeding Dogs” wrote that a lack of table salt in a dog’s diet leads to loss of appetite, decreased secretion of gastric juice, deterioration of protein absorption, and stunted growth of puppies.
Sodium chloride (salt) is necessary to maintain osmotic pressure in cells and constant fluid volume in the body. Salt plays important role in the mechanism of hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach and the proper functioning of the potassium-sodium balance.
To meet the salt needs of dogs, in addition to containing it in food, salt is used for puppies 530 mg per 1 kg of body weight, for adults 220 mg per 1 kg of dog's body weight.
The overall saltiness can be defined in words - barely salty. For this purpose, you need to use coarse, iodized or sea salt. It is not necessary to add salt to every dish. It is enough to do this periodically. Salt can be replaced by a small piece of herring or red fish, salted twice a week, as well as seaweed.
14. MILK AND OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR DOGS. 
Theory: From about 5 months of age onwards, dogs stop producing lactase, an enzyme that breaks down cow's milk protein (lactose). Therefore, milk begins to negatively affect the animal’s liver, especially fatty milk. It provokes serious allergic reactions - severe skin rashes and even vomiting.
On practice: The enzymatic system is very individual and flexible; many people over 35 years of age and dogs over a year old maintain lactase at a sufficient level throughout their lives to easily break down and absorb milk protein.
In terms of milk, the priorities are basically the same as for children. Optimal for puppies (after bitch milk, of course) would be diluted goat's milk, because casein is a protein that is absorbed by the body better than others. You can, of course, feed your dogs lactose-free products, but they are less beneficial.
If you have problems with your bitch's milk supply, remember that baby formula and powdered milk are not recommended for puppies. If it is not possible to use a bitch milk substitute or goat's milk, you can dilute fresh farm cow's milk with warm boiled water in a 1 to 1 ratio. You can also cook porridge for puppies with milk.
My adult Jackies tolerate milk well and drink it with pleasure. If there is a deficiency of an enzyme in a dog’s body, it can be easily determined without testing. Give a little milk to an adult dog - you will immediately understand everything from the animal’s stool.
CHEESE, SOUR CREAM, YOGHURT.
Cause: high fat content, danger of disrupting the pancreas and causing diarrhea.
In fact: These products are really better to exclude from the diet of mini-breed dogs and animals with weak pancreas. But for puppies, pregnant females and healthy young and active animals Can without fear, feed unsalted and low-fat cheese (preferably homemade), and also periodically use it in training along with other delicacies.
The same can be said about sour cream - in an amount of 1 tsp - 1 tablespoon, it is included in the diet, especially for fast-growing puppies, juniors, working dogs and kennel animals. It is good to add sour cream to salads and chopped slightly stewed vegetables for more complete absorption of nutrients and microelements, in particular beta-carotene.
They don’t give you yogurt because of the high sugar content, but homemade yogurt without sugar or fillers can and should be given!
15. DOGS ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE ICE CREAM. 
In theory: contains milk fats, sugars, palm oil and promotes weight gain. In addition, dogs should not eat cold food.
Actually: Of course, ice cream is a treat and should not be given often. However, there is nothing terrible about pampering your pet with a regular waffle cup in the hot weather. Read the ingredients carefully - there should be no vegetable fats or palm oil.
The ban on cold food is more relevant for puppies or weakened animals; usually dogs practically do not get colds, only viral and bacterial infections.
There is even a practice of giving kennel dogs a bowl of clean snow in winter for drinking. However, you should not abuse cold food - it is harmful to the gastrointestinal tract. Canine food should be at room temperature.
16. DOGS MAY NOT HAVE BREAD. 
Actually dogs it is forbidden butter and yeast products, white bread, pastries, muffins and cakes.
Cause: These are slow carbohydrates that promote weight gain, cause fermentation, flatulence and allergies in dogs. As a rule, this is “dead food” that has no benefit and contains large amounts of sugars and dyes.
Actually: everything is true, but there are exceptions, for example, lightly dried wholemeal bread with bran (in small quantities) is a completely healthy product. You can sometimes treat him with a simple dryer, without additives, or with a piece of children's oatmeal cookies.
17. FAT 
Prerequisites: the occurrence of pancreatitis and other diseases of the pancreas and liver.
Important: This refers to fat that has been collected after frying meat, for example. Do not use any product you don't need for your dog's food.
For healthy young and energetic dogs, having enough animal fat in their food is very important. Especially when kept in open-air cages or working breeds, athletes, during periods of active physical activity.
For this purpose, fish oil/salmon oil is moderately introduced into the diet, especially in the autumn-winter period, butter (a small piece 2-3 times a week) and even sometimes homemade lard without salt and spices.
There is no need to specifically remove fat from the tripe or kidneys, but only if you feed them raw. Read about sour cream in paragraph 14 above.
It is also important to increase the fat content in the diet of small dogs and dogs with underweight; they are recommended to eat fattier types of fish, such as trout, pink salmon, halibut and products such as beef udder, lamb and even lean pork.
If you have a problem with excess weight, the amount of fat in food is reduced; excess fat is contraindicated if you have a genetic predisposition to problems with the pancreas.
The opinion that dogs are given low-fat cottage cheese and fermented milk products - wrong, there is no benefit in them, rather harm. However, for most dogs, a diet with moderate fat is more suitable, so cottage cheese can be taken at 3.5-9% inclusive, and kefir about 2.5-3%.
Prohibition 18.
Dogs should not eat many herbs and greens.: celery leaf, sorrel, parsley, rhubarb leaf.
Sorrel - contains oxalic acid.
Rhubarb Leaf: Contains oxalates that affect the dog's central nervous, digestive and urinary organs.
Read about onions and garlic above (point 5).
In principle, dogs can be fed any greens except sorrel and rhubarb.
But we must remember that seaweed stains the coat of light-colored dogs.
Suitable for feeding: all types of lettuce, dill, parsley, young nettle and dandelion leaves, squash, quinoa, celery stalk. Remember that parsley is not recommended for dogs with kidney problems and pregnant bitches.
Prohibition 19.
Pasta and cereals are prohibited for dogs
Cause: Slow carbohydrates contribute to weight gain; they are poorly digested.
In fact: Diet is an individual thing, some people feed BARF, others “mother’s porridge.” The three grains that dogs digest best are rice and buckwheat in the form of “friendship,” and sometimes puppies are given oatmeal. But the share of porridges should not exceed 15-20% of the diet, the basis is meat and meat by-products. The following foods are not recommended for feeding to dogs: semolina, pearl barley, sorghum, millet, maize, bulgur, oatmeal.
Pasta can be included in the diet occasionally for weight gain, but only from expensive durum wheat varieties and no more than 5% of other types of plant foods.
Ban 20.
Baby food. 
Baby food sometimes contains onion powder and a lot of starch, which is harmful to canines and is not suitable for the needs of a growing puppy.
Prohibition 21.
Corn. 
Theory: The canine body is not adapted to digest and assimilate corn; it passes through in transit and can cause fermentation and flatulence. In addition, this is a highly allergenic product containing gluten, which is dangerous for dogs. Whole cobs should not be given, they can cause obstruction and even lead to the death of your pet.
Fact: For dogs, canned corn is strictly prohibited, as it contains sugar and a large amount of preservatives and dyes. It is also completely indigestible, passing right through the dog’s intestines.
Legumes: beans, peas, beans.
Cause: They are not species-specific food for dogs and are practically not digestible by them; they cause flatulence, fermentation and create a favorable environment for the development of candidiasis and pathogenic intestinal microflora. The same is true for soybeans.
As an exception, you can give a small amount of young peas or green beans.
Prohibition 22.
Chocolate, candy, coffee, tea and other sources of caffeine.
In theory: Cocoa beans contain theobromine (an alkaloid of plant origin), which has an effect on cardiac function. For humans, small doses of theobromine are beneficial. For dogs, the opposite is true - theobromine is poisonous for them, it excites the central nervous system, causing arrhythmia and tachycardia.
The least that products containing theobromine, theophylline and caffeine can cause is severe allergies, hair loss, eye leaking, and allergic otitis media.
Dogs do not have enough insulin to process sugars into glucose and sweets lead to the development of diabetes and blindness, and if given frequently in large quantities, even to the death of the pet.
In fact: Regular human chocolate raises blood sugar and can cause leaky eyes, diabetes and blindness in your dog.
The toxic dose for a dog is approximately 7 grams of dark chocolate per 1 kg of the animal’s live weight.
That is, even half a bar of chocolate left uncontrollably can take the life of a Papillon, Spitz, pug and Jack Russell terrier...
The first signs of chocolate poisoning are as follows: vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat and breathing, agitation, and severe thirst. In such a situation, you need to urgently contact a veterinary clinic, otherwise convulsions, an epileptic attack, coma and death may develop. Keep in mind that dogs take longer to digest chocolate than humans, so your dog may not show signs of poisoning right away.
As an exception, chocolate is given to rescue dogs in the mountains before climbing. For this purpose, choose chocolate with a low percentage of cocoa beans or milk, as it is an invaluable source of quick energy and a natural adaptogen that promotes the production of seratonin.
Modern chocolate is dangerous not only because of the cocoa beans and theobromine in it, but because of the harmful “impurities” contained in chocolate - soy, palm oil, emulsifiers and vegetable fats. So from any point of view, chocolate for dogs is poison and evil!
Advice: Chocolate and candy are the worst treats for a pet; special “dog” chocolate is produced for this purpose!
Prohibition 23.
Eggplant. Radish. Turnip. Cucumber.
Cause: Eggplant is contraindicated in dogs with a tendency to allergies or kidney disease.
Answer: After checking individual tolerance, you can give it occasionally, but in boiled, stewed or baked form.
Radishes contain a lot of coarse fibers and are a natural toothpick. At the same time, it irritates the intestinal walls and increases peristalsis, which can aggravate existing gastrointestinal problems.
Turnips and cucumbers were included in the list of prohibitions absolutely wrongly. Turnip has a beneficial effect on the kidneys. Cucumber is not only completely safe, but also healthy for dogs. The only thing, remember that when giving cucumber, it is important not to overdo it with the quantity, otherwise you can provoke loose stools. By the way, turnips can be given both raw and baked - your choice.
Prohibition 24.
Beet. 
In many breeds, beets are poorly digestible and cause persistent diarrhea, bloating and intestinal pain. However, it is a very healthy vegetable. It is recommended to give it stewed and boiled, grated or crushed in a blender. It must be borne in mind that beets give red fur a bright, rich shade, but it should not be given to white dogs.
Theory: Beetroot is a strong allergen that is poorly tolerated by certain breeds of dogs.
Fact: In the absence of an allergic reaction, as well as for dogs with red hair, it is a very useful and valuable product. Improves intestinal function, given with a spoonful of flaxseed oil and herbs.
It is a valuable source of fiber, contains vitamins A, B, C, and has a beneficial effect on liver function. It should be given sparingly, no more than 2 times a week.
Prohibition 25.
Cabbage. 
Cause: First of all, we are talking about white cabbage. The reason is that in its raw form it causes flatulence, bloating and pain in the intestines.
Answer: It should be given in limited quantities and in boiled form. More beneficial for dogs are Brussels sprouts, broccoli, Peking and cauliflower, it is better to slightly stew or boil them. Cabbage is good for vitamins A, C and beta-carotene.
Prohibition 26.
Many berries were unexpectedly banned: black currants, strawberries, wild strawberries...
In fact, in reasonable quantities and in the absence of allergies, you can and should feed any seasonal berries growing in your area, just do not forbid them to be eaten to your heart's content, at the request of the dog itself. The most useful: cranberries, blueberries and lingonberries.
Locked 27.
Mushrooms.
Theory: For canines, mushrooms are heavy food that they are unable to digest and assimilate. In addition, mushrooms often contain dangerous substances; they accumulate salts of heavy metals, carcinogens and toxins that can cause allergies, diarrhea and severe forms of poisoning, including the death of the dog.
Fact: It will be better if the dog does not know mushrooms as food, because the harm from them significantly outweighs the possible benefits for its body (mushrooms contain a lot of vitamin D, nicotinic acid and antioxidants). Dogs whose owners sometimes allow them to eat mushrooms can subsequently become poisoned by dangerous poisonous mushrooms.
Prohibition 28.
Alcohol. 
From the history: Previously, in the USSR, dog handlers were forced to give dogs alcohol due to heavy workloads. However, alcohol is not for dogs! Intoxication, coma or death are the consequences of drinking drinks with too much alcohol. The smaller the dog, the greater the effect.
Fact: Although we have all heard or know cases where dogs in villages were successfully treated for poisoning, distemper and even piroplasmosis with vodka or cognac with egg yolk, we absolutely should not risk the health of the pet. Dogs are unable to break down and remove ethanol and its breakdown product is acetaldehyde, it is completely and instantly absorbed into the blood, has a depressant effect on the central nervous system and leads to serious disturbances in the functioning of the liver and kidneys, and with frequent use, it can lead to poor health and even death of the pet. .
Xylitol. 
A sweetener found in sugarless chewing gum, candy, and baked goods. Xylitol may be approved for humans, but it causes liver damage and lowers blood sugar in dogs to life-threatening levels. A 5kg dog only needs to eat one piece of sugar-free chewing gum to receive a potentially toxic dose. Low blood levels may develop within 10 to 15 minutes of taking xylitol, along with vomiting and loss of coordination.
Prohibition 30.
Broth and minced meat.
Cause: It is not recommended to give dogs broth, and even if the diet contains cereals, it is better to boil them in water; it is better to drain the broth before serving. The main reason is the fat content and the increased content of active substances, which provokes an excessive release of bile and gastric juice, as well as the high fat content of the broth. This leads to diseases of the pancreas and liver, gastritis and cholecystitis. Often, such a diet leads to allergies, hair loss and diseases of the liver, kidneys and pancreas, as well as excess weight gain. The exception is unfortified diluted chicken broth for a convalescent animal.
This is not natural food for canines!
Store-bought minced meat is often made from stale meat, may contain emergency slaughter products, and often contains dyes and preservatives. In addition, eating minced meat leads to the formation of plaque, the jaw muscles do not work, and this is harmful to the dog. Even puppies are recommended to give meat in small pieces, and not in a pate consistency.
There are exceptions - this is beef jellied meat containing broth. It is very useful for growing puppies and large breed dogs, as well as for the period of rehabilitation after injury.
There are few strict prohibitions, but they are easy to remember. In moderation and with good tolerance, you can give your dog many controversial but healthy foods, which is why a natural diet is good.
And to remember, short list of truly forbidden foods for dogs:
spicy,
pickled,
fat,
fried,
smoked (sausage, frankfurters, shish kebab),
hot and frozen food,
spices, salt in large quantities,
sugar and its substitutes, chocolate,
canned food,
alcohol, tobacco,
Tea coffee,
carbonated drinks,
cat food,
mushrooms,
some human vitamins and medicines,
boiled and hollowed chicken bones,
spoiled food,
leftovers from the table, soups, cereals, cutlets and minced meat (not advisable),
many cereals (millet, pearl barley, semolina, maize, sorghum),
yeast dough, pastries and bakery products,
beans and corn,
chips,
ketchup, mayonnaise and sauces.
It is important to remember the main thing - diet is a purely individual thing, it must take into account a lot of factors, a sense of proportion and tolerance of certain types of products are especially important.
Never feed your dog food that you are not sure is safe.
Fatty, smoked, peppered, fried foods are definitely not for dogs!
And if suddenly something goes wrong, contact your veterinarian immediately!
Carefully observe the behavior of your pet after introducing a new product into its diet. Obvious signs of poisoning of the body may not appear immediately, but the success of treating the animal depends on how quickly you notice something is wrong.
In any matter of keeping a pet, the first condition should be safety, the second – the absence of fanaticism. You should not believe categorical prohibitions if they are not justified and supported by facts. It is worthwhile to be careful, but it is important to remember that we live in an advertising world that knows how to manipulate our consciousness and habits.
Many dog lovers still argue on this topic and cannot find a clear answer. Why is that? Now let's look at all the facts for and against.
Arguments
In one of the books there is a quote from an experienced veterinarian and scientist, where he talks about an interesting case. The dog was taken to the veterinarian with a serious illness - rickets. The interesting thing is that the treatment did not help. The doctors, more than one, almost carried the dog in their arms and could not figure out what was going wrong. As a result, it turned out that serious disorders of the musculoskeletal system were the result of a lack of ordinary salt in the animal’s body. Let's look at the benefits of salt.
Kitchen salt has a simple formula – NaCl. It can be seen that it consists of two chemical elements, the presence of which in the animal’s body plays an important role. Sodium takes part in the processes of excitation of all cells of the body. With its help, most useful substances - amino acids, glucose, etc. - enter or leave the cell. With a lack of Sodium, Calcium is absorbed very poorly, which is why skeletal problems arise.
Chlorine, together with Potassium, takes part in the processes of inhibition of the nervous system. This element is part of the gastric juice, and also activates most of the enzymes with which proteins are poisoned.
Another point of view is that salt should not be given to dogs under any circumstances. And this is also correct. If you overdo it, your pet may eventually develop stones in the urinary tract and cystitis.
Conclusion
It is possible and necessary to give salt to your dog, but you need to carefully monitor the amount of salt consumed.
How to create a diet?
Those dog lovers who are against salt have a good argument: wild animals don’t eat it and are healthy, so pets don’t need it either. Now let’s remember how dogs eat in nature: they catch food for themselves - birds, rodents, hares, etc. Their natural source of salt is animal blood.
Those dogs that eat food also receive enough salt, since purchased food already contains all the substances that are useful and necessary for pets.
Animals that are fed natural meat do not receive a sufficient dose of salt, since there is no blood in the raw carcass.
Many dog owners notice that dogs eat salted food much more readily. So you can add salt to your food. When producing food, the dose of salt is calculated as follows: per kilogram of a puppy - 530 mg, for an adult dog - 22 mg. Some may think this is quite a lot.
A very simple way to find out whether your animal has enough salt or not: you need to put two bowls of water. Salt one, leave the other alone. This may also be a solution for those who are afraid of adding salt to their pet’s food.
Relatively recently, the question of whether it is possible to add salt to dogs’ food has come to a head. Some new owners actually faced dictatorship from breeders: “Don’t give salt!” There is also a flip side, which claims that if the puppy is not given salt, the bones will suffer and, in general, the dog will not develop properly. Where is the truth, and how not to harm your pet? Let's figure it out.
Let us immediately take it as an axiom that any product in excess is harmful. Here is a simple example: a dog cannot be fed pure meat, it will quickly die from this... the dog must be given meat, otherwise it will get sick and will not live half its life. This statement applies to absolutely any type, even the highest quality and expensive, advertised and praised...any!
Another axiom - salt is the most famous and cheapest preservative known to mankind since ancient times. It is this preservative that is generously flavored with all low-quality industrial animal feed and, by the way, salt is not the most dangerous substance that can be found in the composition of an economy product.
Let's get it straight, wild dogs. get salt from food, not a lot, not every day, but they get it. Salt in its pure form, that is, sodium, is present in the metabolic process of any dog (wild and domestic). So should you add salt to your dog's food? If you are guided only by this argument, the answer will be negative...plus a dozen nuances.
Can a wild dog get sausage, cheese, store-bought milk? No, he can not. Do you treat your pet to these foods? Even if you take into account that you strictly follow your diet and do not give sausage, cheese and milk are allowed. How much salt is in industrial cheese? You can only find out by submitting the product to a laboratory.
The conclusion is simple: salt is present in a dog’s diet, even if it lives in an apartment and eats a strictly prescribed diet! There is only one exception - if you yourself grow (or otherwise obtain) all the products that your ward eats and are sure that they do not contain salts. By the way, plants are “fed” with additives that contain sodium. A completely different question is how much salt is already present in your dog’s diet and is this amount dangerous...and are there standards?
Everything is possible in moderation!
Anyone familiar with cynology knows that absolutely In all service kennels of the USSR, dogs' food was salted. The norm was measured by eye, approximately half of the amount that is comfortable for a person. Regular rock salt (proven) was added to the porridge... not refined, not iodized, not sea salt. The conclusion is simple: cynologists of the USSR raised and raised thousands of excellent, healthy dogs. Why was there such a drastic ban? If you take modern literature, then in every book it will be written that dogs cannot have salt. What's the catch?
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Sodium is one of the most important trace elements in a dog’s metabolism – that’s a fact. Salt is a key substance that helps retain water in an animal's body., that is, avoid dehydration, which (by the way) is dangerous and fatal. Another work of salt ensures neural conduction, that is, brain function!
Based on scientific, rather than “expert” facts, the conclusion is obvious - dogs need salt! The amount of salt in a natural diet (provided that all components of the serving do not contain salt) is 100 micro(!) grams per (0.0001 gram) per 15 kilograms of weight per day. This norm was established through a study conducted by several large groups of US scientists. Next, a number of nuances:
- The daily salt requirement is included in all high-quality feeds, that is at In industrial feeding, dog food cannot be added with salt.
- On the recommendation of a doctor, the dog can be transferred to salt-free diet(temporarily).
- If you are prone to this, you need to remove fish, store-bought products (which may contain salt) and rock salt from your diet.
- A small amount of salt is found in everything “homemade”, There is more salt in factory products than needed. Conclusion: if you buy meat in a store, do not add salt to your dog’s food; if you bought the meat from a trusted seller, you can add salt.
How do you know if there is too much salt?
Salt retains and absorbs water, that is, a dog whose tissues have accumulated sodium will . The pet will feel thirsty regardless of the air temperature. The natural consequence is this. The color of the urine will be lighter than usual. The changes occur because the dog's kidneys work faster, trying to eliminate as much salt as possible in a short time.
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The kidneys will withstand working at this pace for quite a long time (provided that the dog is otherwise healthy), the first gap, from excess salt, will “appear” in cardiovascular system. When one organ speeds up its work, the body must adjust. The heart will not be able to work at the limit for a long time and in a dog swelling of the limbs will appear. The next stage is intestinal dysfunction and diarrhea, and neurological abnormalities.
Even in such a frightening state, not all is lost. The dog needs to be put on a therapeutic diet and help its organs recover. It is also necessary to examine, since there is a high probability of insufficiency or formation. The situation will be much more dangerous, one might say, more critical, if the dog has eaten too much salt. Your pet won’t do this on its own, but if you unknowingly added a lot of salt to the food, it’s quite likely.
Note! A dog can suffer from mild to moderate salt toxicity throughout its life from drinking contaminated water.
Salt poisoning in dogs is fraught with rapid and critical dehydration, since trace elements literally absorb water. As is known, without water, the body can live no more than a day, and according to many doctors, the period is shorter than 24 hours. With a sharp lack of water, the body does not have time to adapt, all organs actually cannot function, the blood thickens and the heart cannot pump it. Salt poisoning is not a myth, but a quick death for a pet. Moreover, forcing your dog to drink will not improve the situation. The only chance for survival is to provide the animal with professional help as quickly as possible.
Important! If you suspect that your dog has consumed or is consuming too much salt, it is recommended to conduct a preventive examination to ensure that the chosen diet is not harmful to your pet.
The condition can be treated with intravenous fluids, but this will not be enough. In parallel, the four-legged animal needs support for the heart and kidneys. The problem is that poor functioning of organs will lead to the accumulation of toxins. Giving a dog saline will only dilute the blood, which will spread these toxins throughout the body... and the dog will die.
How not to cause harm?
The only universal advice is to think for yourself, read, consult and analyze. You should not listen to the opinion of radicals, that is, generously salt your food or eliminate salt altogether. The experience of thousands of dog owners, both professional and amateur, shows that There are no universal recipes for proper nutrition!
The advisability of introducing salt into your dog's food.
The diet of dogs is significantly different from the diet of humans. This is due to the physiological characteristics of the body and the need for certain minerals and trace elements. The question arises, is salt necessary for dogs? We will try to figure this out.
In general, there are several theories as to whether it is necessary to salt your dog's food or not. As for industrial feed, which is sold in the form of canned food, everything is clear here. Manufacturers themselves made sure that the food contained sodium and chlorine ions. Usually a small amount of salt is added in production. Accordingly, such food does not need additional salt.
Can I give my dog salt?
- If the question concerns natural nutrition, when the dog’s diet includes meat, fish, and cereals that are prepared independently, then the situation here is different.
- In most cases, experts argue that a lack of sodium, as well as chlorine in the body at a young age, leads to deterioration in skeletal growth and acute disorders.
- Sodium is a trace element that is involved in the formation of bone tissue and skeletal cartilage, usually occurring before the age of one year.
- WITH Accordingly, during this period it is still necessary to introduce a small amount of salt so that the dog has enough of it.
Should dogs eat salt?
If the dog is old enough, then it is necessary to consider all options and evaluate what the dog eats. If it is raw, fresh meat, then it is not necessary to add salt. Fresh meat mainly contains blood; it contains sodium chloride in a small concentration. This is usually the saline solution that makes up dog and human blood. Accordingly, part of the sodium chloride enters the pet’s body along with the blood. This also applies to offal.
Should dogs eat salt?
- It is necessary to evaluate how often the dog eats from the owner's table. This refers to how often the pet gets a variety of goodies, such as herring, cheese, or a piece of dry-cured, smoked sausage.
- The fact is that these products contain a huge amount of salt, so 1-2 pieces a whole day for a dog will be enough to compensate for the deficiency of sodium chloride.
- Remember that such products spoil the dog’s stomach and intestines, so it is necessary to treat your dog with them very rarely. Sometimes it is recommended to give hard cheese; it also contains a large amount of sodium chlorine.
Should dogs salt their food when cooking?
If you treat your dog to foods from the refrigerator, semi-finished products, and processed meat products, then there is no need to salt the food you prepare.
Should dogs salt their food when cooking?
- If, nevertheless, the dog is on a natural diet, but there is very little fresh meat in the diet, mainly boiled porridge, bone broths, and soups, then it is necessary to introduce salt, but in small quantities.
- It should be about 3 times less than for yourself. That is, salt is necessary, but in much smaller quantities. Please note that salt is white death, and indeed the consequences of an overdose for a dog are much worse than for a person.
- If we can afford to regularly consume large amounts of salt, and not observe chronic diseases of the bladder and kidneys for a long period of time, then in dogs the disease develops and progresses much faster.
Salt poisoning in dogs
It is enough just to overfeed him with salty food a few times, the reaction will not take long. In most cases, very serious problems arise with the functioning of the kidneys and bladder.
Salt poisoning in dogs:
- Stones may appear in them, or fluid loss may worsen, with the formation of edema. Please note that if you do add a little salt to your food, be sure to take care of a bowl of water. There should be a lot of it, since after taking salt the dog can become dry. It is imperative that it replenishes the fluid deficiency.
- Remember, if you give your dog fermented milk products, that is, kefir, cottage cheese and cheese, then there is no need to add additional salt. Many radicals say that wild dogs are relatives of dogs and wolves, do not consume salt and live long lives.
- In fact, the body of domestic dogs is significantly different from wild dogs, but wild animals also receive salt. It is found in large quantities in the blood. Since the main diet of wild animals is small living organisms, mainly rodents and rabbits, their blood contains sodium chlorine. It is the basis of all fluids in the body.
Can dogs salt their food on a natural diet?
Another thing is that a pet cannot consume raw meat every day; not all dog breeders have the means to purchase such products. If it's meatsold on an industrial scale, in stores, in most cases it contains salt.
Can dogs salt their food on a natural diet?
- Many sellers soak meat in salt water to increase its weight. Accordingly, there is no need to introduce additional salt in this case. If the meat was bought secondhand from a farmer you know, then it is necessary to add salt to such food.
- Let us give an example: in all Soviet nurseries, dogs were fed with the introduction of salt. When preparing food, it was added in an amount of half of the norm that people administer to themselves. All dogs grew up healthy and strong.
- Accordingly, a small amount of salt is still acceptable. Under no circumstances add enough salt to yourself. Introduce sodium chloride in small amounts so that it is barely noticeable in taste.
Should dogs' food be salted when cooking?
Many people believe that a dog should also taste food, and without salt it is completely tasteless. In fact, a dog's taste buds are different from human ones; they are less sensitive.
Do dogs need to salt their food when cooking?
- If you add more or less salt, the dog is more likely to not understand. Therefore, salt in this case is added only as a way to introduce nutritional components such as sodium and chlorine.
- Chlorine is a harmful chemical element, but it is involved in all processes in the body of humans and dogs. With its help, hydrochloric acid is formed in the stomach. Therefore, without this component there may be problems with digestion.
- Sodium whole blood kidneys chlorine brains skin light whole blood kidneys and liver.
Should I salt my dog's food every day?
If every day some salty food is included in the dog’s diet, then there is no need to introduce additional salt. This rule only applies if offal and meat are given raw, that is, not boiled.
Should you salt your dog's food or not?
- Many fans of natural nutrition claim that wild breeds did not consume salt. Many note that the dogs that guarded the sheep were constantly with the shepherds, receiving practically no food.
- Almost everything they ate was of natural origin. These are small animals and insects. Often shepherds fed their assistants with cakes dipped in whey. Accordingly, salt was present in large quantities in such food.
- If the dog is factory fed, then there is no need to add salt. If you are feeding your dog treats from the table, you do not need to add additional salt to the food you are preparing. If you strictly monitor your dog’s diet and don’t give anything even as a reward from your table, then you need to add salt only in a small amount, about 3 times less than you add to yourself.
Should I add salt to my dog's food: reviews
If you additionally give your dog vitamins prescribed by the veterinarian, there is no need to introduce salt. Typically, chlorine, as well as sodium, are contained in vitamin preparations in the required quantities.Below you can read reviews from dog owners.
Should I add salt to my dog's food? Reviews:
Eugene. I have German Shepherd, so I cook my own food. I don’t buy food, I don’t think it’s of the highest quality. I don’t salt my food, since my girl’s diet often includes a large amount of raw meat. I think that my dog feels great; it is not necessary to introduce salt.
Elena, Pekingese owner. I buy food for my dog and very rarely give him treats from the table, such as cheese and sausage. I try not to overuse it, since once my Zhuzha got poisoned from such food. I don’t salt my food, I feed it mostly with food.
Alexey, husky owner. When I got a dog, I had no idea that a large number of questions and problems would arise. Initially, we kept the dog on food, but then the financial situation worsened, now we cook on our own. We often introduce raw meat. I add a little salt to my food. I add a very small pinch, 3 times less than for myself. The dog is healthy.
As you can see, responsibility for the health of pets lies with their owners. Everyone decides for themselves whether the dog needs to be given salt or not. Veterinarians and specialists have not come to a consensus regarding the addition of salt to a dog’s diet.
VIDEO: Salting your dog's food
Few owners of four-legged pets have not once thought about Should you salt your dog's food?. There are situations when an animal, eating a certain way, suddenly refuses some of its usual dishes and shows with all its appearance “it doesn’t taste good to me,” although it happily waits for the treasured piece of dry-cured sausage or cheese to arrive from the owner’s dining table. Is it worth torturing an animal and waiting until it gets really hungry and begins to gobble up everything in the bowl with gusto? Or is it enough to add a little salt to bland porridge or a piece of meat so that your pet stops neglecting bland breakfasts?
What experts say
The issue is controversial and there is no consensus on this issue in the literature. Some scientists believe that a lack of salt in the diet is a direct path to the development of abnormalities of the skeletal system in puppies during the stage of their active growth and development. Therefore, its artificial introduction into food is necessary. Proponents of another point of view argue that the dog should receive salt directly from food in the form in which it is naturally found there, and not artificially. But both sides still have something in common: there shouldn't be too much salt, otherwise the dog will die.
Should a dog's food be salted? It's up to the owner to decide.
A loving owner always tries to make the pet’s life better and try to bring more joyful moments into it, because the dog’s life is short-lived, and one wants to give it the maximum of good things.
If a pet flatly refuses to eat bland food and happily starts dinner if a little salt has been added to the bowl, you should not torture the living creature. But it must be remembered that in this case it is very difficult to maintain moderation and calculate exactly the dosage that will be harmless or, better yet, beneficial. It is important to understand that salt poses a great danger to the life and health of a dog if the owner systematically and thoughtlessly includes it in the pet’s diet.
What is important to remember if it’s “yes”?
Salt is necessary for a living organism because it participates in hematopoiesis, promotes the secretion of gastric juice, affects the processes of protein breakdown and increases appetite. However, for the normal functioning of a dog’s body, a small pinch of salt is enough, i.e. it should be there, but not tasted.
Salt is dangerous for dogs in large quantities and its consumption leads to death. And even if nothing happened from even one over-salted piece of sausage, then frequent overdoses of this substance will lead over time to irreversible processes in the animal’s organ systems, in particular, to severe diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. Cystitis and kidney stones are common diseases in dogs that eat salty foods, and they are very difficult to treat, accompanied by further exacerbations.
If the dog regularly receives food fresh meat, it already contains a sufficient amount of salt. In the meat of a freshly killed animal (for example, during a hunt), the salt content is quite high, since its main concentration is in the blood. What if the owner feeds the dog boiled foods, porridge? In this case, during the cooking process, you can add a pinch of salt (half, or even 1/3 less than if you added it to yourself), since its natural amount is washed out during heat treatment.
When deciding whether to salt your dog’s food, it’s worth considering how often and in what quantity the pet gets “oversupplied” from the owner’s table. For example, cheese or pickled herring, sausage contain a lot of this substance. So why then salt the main food if a large dose has already been received with the treat?
All dog lovers know that The dog should always have fresh water and in sufficient quantity. So, after increasing the amount of salt in the food consumed, you need to especially pay attention to the filling of the drinking bowl. The dog will drink more and more often, that's a fact.
It is best not to make such a decision thoughtlessly, not to point your finger at the sky, but to take care of the dog from the very beginning by taking it to a veterinary clinic for a biochemical blood test. Perhaps salt is generally contraindicated for her. What if she was just so lacking?
Finally
There is nothing wrong with the owner wanting to do the best and wondering whether or not to add salt to the dog’s food. But in such a case, the risks may not be worth it, so to make such an important decision you need to think everything over a hundred times. An excess of salt, like any trace element or vitamin, can cost an animal its life.