Unsafe Foods for Your Assistance Dog in Florida

While we love to think of our assistance dogs in Florida as being indestructible because of the wonderful and loyal support they provide, the truth is that service dogs can easily succumb to illness and injury if they ingest the wrong foods.  While it is truly difficult to ignore the impulse to “reward” your companion with some tasty people morsels, Genesis Assistance Dogs reminds you to avoid giving your dog any of the following foods:

• Avocados can cause vomiting, diarrhea and heart issues due to the chemical Persin.
• Grapes are extremely toxic and can cause severe liver damage and kidney failure.  Raisins have the same toxic effect.  Avoid giving them to your dog at all.
• Onions contain sulfoxides and disulfides which can result in anemia and actually damage red blood cells and can be fatal.
• Garlic is in the same species as onions.  Toxic reaction is similar to that of onions. (Chives too.)
• Mushrooms are a concern because dogs are attracted to the aroma of mushrooms in the wild and you cannot immediately identify safe from harmful mushrooms.  It’s best just to keep them away from all forms them.
• Raw potatoes (especially green ones) Solanine and chaconine are dangerous to dogs and to humans.Symptoms of toxicity are diarrhea and organ failure which can lead to death.  Green potatoes should NEVER be consumed by humans or dogs regardless of whether or not they are cooked.
• Sushi (actually any raw fish or shellfish.) A Vitamin B deficiency can be caused by ingestion of raw fish.  Your dog will suffer from loss of appetite, and the potential for seizures and death is very real.
• Salt.  Especially in hot climates like Florida eating foods with high salt levels can cause electrolyte levels to become unbalanced. Dehydration and diarrhea are symptoms of a high salt level.
• Sugar. Just as with humans, too much sugar in the diet will cause dental problems, weight gain and yep, Diabetes which can lead to kidney failure.
• Alcoholic beverages should never be consumed by animals under any circumstance. It can affect pulmonary function, coordination, coma and/or death.
• Apple Seeds, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Persimmons, Peaches. All of these items have two things in common.  They contain cyanide which is toxic to dogs and he seeds and pits can result in bowel obstruction.
• Walnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Almonds, Pecans. All of these nuts contain one or more toxic substances that may impact mobility.  Swollen limbs, digestive issues, and the nervous and musculatory systems may be severely affected.
• Chocolate.Chocolate contains theobromine which is highly toxic to dogs. Internal bleeding, heart attack, seizures and tremors may result.
• Chewing Gum (or any products containing Xylitol like candy, mints, etc.) Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is found in almost all chewing gum and mints. It causes low blood sugar or hypoglycemia which can cause liver failure, seizures and possibly death.

The Humane Society of the United States provides a more comprehensive list of other food items that may be hazardous to your assistance dog in Florida. Here’s another article about toxic for for dogs. At Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc. we take the diet and well-being of our service dogs seriously.  We encourage you to be diligent in the care of your service dog and family pets.