When our beloved pets begin to whimper and beg whenever we sit down for a meal, oftentimes we are tempted to hand them something from our plate. But, no matter how much they beg, you should only give them dog food. Veterinarians caution that human food can cause several issues in dogs that owners need to be aware of. In this post, we list some of the worst human foods you can give a dog:

1. Raw eggs
Many dog owners have claimed that one way to spice up your dog’s food is to include uncooked eggs because it’s protein content makes it one of the most healthy dog treats. While eggs are filled with protein, they can also contain E.coli and Salmonella which are just as harmful to dogs as they are to humans. In addition to that, uncooked eggs contain avidin, which is an enzyme that can decrease a dog’s ability to absorb biotin. A biotin deficiency can cause coat and skin problems.

2. Grapes and raisins
Even though scientists haven’t found the specific toxic substance in raisins and grapes that cause problems in dogs, what they do know is that when dogs consume grapes and raisins it can trigger kidney failure. As such, you should never attempt to feed your dogs raisins or grapes.

3. Raw bones and meat
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t feed a dog raw meat and bones. Just like raw eggs, raw meat and bones can get tainted by animal feces which are filled with dangerous pathogens such as Clostridium, Salmonella and Sarcocystis just to name a few. In addition to that, raw meat diets aren’t regulated. As such, you will not know if your dog is getting an adequate amount of nutrients by giving it a raw diet. This can lead to health complications over time. In addition to that, raw food and other animal products such as cheese, milk and bones are filled with toxic chemicals that can affect your dog’s lifespan.

4. chocolate and caffeine
Chocolate does not go well with dogs. This is a universally known fact, but why? Chocolate is toxic to dogs due to a chemical within it that goes by the name of theobromine. Chocolate is also rich in caffeine which is another chemical that is toxic to dogs. Theobromine functions similarly to caffeine in the sense that it stimulates the heart, operates as a diuretic and dilates the blood vessels. The problem with this is that unlike humans, dogs are not able to metabolize theobromine and caffeine correctly so it makes them more sensitive to the effects. As such, consumption of chocolate and caffeinated drinks can lead to muscle tremors, heart failure, seizures and sudden death as a result of cardiac arrest.

5. Onions and garlic
Garlic and Onions may seem like relatively harmless spices. But, when they are consumed by dogs it can cause them to develop hemolytic anemia. This is a condition which destroys red blood cells. With a lack of blood cells, just like humans, dogs will not be able to function correctly and can eventually die as an end result. It’s important to note that while onions and garlic may not be as toxic as grapes, they are unsafe for dog consumption regardless if it’s cooked, in powder form or raw.