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Many dog owners love to share their food with their dogs but they often wonder what foods are okay to give their pets without concern. Not all fruits and vegetables are good for dogs and it is important that you know so that you are not inadvertently making your dog sick.

Did you know that grapes, for example, are toxic to dogs? Yes, they certainly are. In fact, they are very toxic. Just a small handful of grapes can cause kidney failure to happen and that will eventually lead to death for most dogs.

So which vegetables and fruits are safe for your dog? Let us take an in-depth look, shall we?

Vegetables/Fruits Your Dog Should Not Eat

In reality, there are not many things your dog can’t have but this is a list that will help you get started in understanding what is not really good for them and why.

Broccoli – Feed this in small doses. It has a lot of Vitamin A which dogs don’t really need. It also can cause extreme gas and gas pains so most pet owners avoid it completely.

Raw white potatoes – These would be fine if you cook them. Raw, they contain a chemical that is toxic for dogs and can make them deathly ill. Don’t take the chance. Give them cooked potatoes only and avoid giving them the skins as well.

Peach and Prune pits – These are choking hazards and can also be toxic. Don’t feed these to your dog. Make sure that you remove the pits and slice the fruits for your dog. When the pit is removed, they are perfectly safe.

Citrus – While it isn’t toxic, citric acid can be upsetting to some dogs. If you feed them oranges or grapefruit, watch them for any signs of upset stomach and do not feed citrus in the future if they react poorly.

Whole apples – Make sure that you core apples and other seeded fruits. The seeds of apples contain cyanide and are extremely toxic to dogs as well as many other animals. Once removed, the apple itself is completely safe.

Other Foods to Keep Away From Dogs

There are some other foods that you may keep in your house that you’ll want to think twice about letting your dog near. You may even get them out of the house completely once you realize just how bad they can be for your dog.

Macadamia nuts – these can cause paralysis of the legs. No one knows what the heck it is in these nuts that are so bad but they are terrible for your dog and they should never have even one.

Almonds – These are a choking hazard due to the shape and the size of the dog’s throat. They don’t tend to chew them well enough and they can get lodged and even cut the back of the throat.

Chocolate – This is poisonous for dogs. Don’t let them have it at all. It can cause renal failure and the darker the chocolate, the worse the threat. A small dog is likely to die from a chocolate ingestion more so than a larger dog as it is weight specific. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate bars are the most toxic. During the holidays, be sure to keep baking chocolate away from the dog.

Xylitol – This is one of the most toxic substances for dogs that is perfectly safe for humans. It is a sugar substitute. It’s in some types of peanut butter, chewing gum, jams, jellies and candies. You must be vigilant with this one as it is a neurotoxin that will kill your dog. It takes very little. One piece of chewing gum has killed a ten pound dog.

Sugar – While this won’t cause them to keel over and die, it is very bad for their health and can lead to canine diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It’s very bad for them.

Salt – Dogs should always have salt-free versions of food. It takes very small amounts of salt to dehydrate them to an alarming level that can be fatal. Dogs can have very bad reactions to salt. Salted potato chips? Bad! Salted peanuts? Bad – but unsalted peanuts would be fine.

Grapes and raisins – These cause the kidneys to shut down. Your dog can die of renal failure from eating 5 or 6 grapes, depending on his size.

Dairy Products – These are not toxic or poisonous in any way. Some dogs, like humans, can have a problem with dairy. If this is the case, your dog may have severe digestive upset from dairy and unless you are watching them when they have a bowel movement, you may not notice that they have diarrhea, so be very cautious of dairy products in the event of lactose intolerance.

Yeast dough – Don’t let a dog near bread dough that is rising, which means it has yeast in it. If they eat this, it can cause severe stomach pain and there is a risk that the dough will continue to rise and cause a rupture to the stomach or intestines that could be deadly.

Artificial sweeteners – While they are not all as poisonous as xylitol, they will typically cause gas, diarrhea and stomach pain. Dogs should not be given sugar-free foods of any sort as they all will have artificial sweeteners added to them.

Caffeine Dogs can go into cardiac arrest from caffeine and it takes very little for them to become ill and react. Caffeine is hidden many foods such as chocolate, tea, coffee, and in some snacks and energy drinks. This can be fatal.

You’ll need to be on your toes and make sure that foods are stored well away from where the dog can reach them. Teach children what is acceptable as you learn the information yourself. Kenneling dogs during supper hours may help you as well.

Congratulations on taking the first steps in learning what your dog can and can’t eat. You’ll notice that brussel sprouts were never mentioned as a food to avoid. Be aware that they can cause gas and should be fed in moderation. Other