Foods and Plants Your Puppy Should Never Eat
Foods and Plants Your Puppy Should Never Eat
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, which turns the kitchen counter, the trash can, and the garden into potential hazards, and many common foods and plants are toxic to dogs. Use this checklist to keep your puppy safe.
Foods to Keep Away From Your Puppy
Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, alcohol, and caffeine are all dangerous for dogs, and xylitol, a sweetener found in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, and some peanut butters, is especially harmful, so always check labels. Raw yeast dough, cooked bones, and fatty scraps cause problems as well, since bones can splinter and fatty foods can trigger a painful inflammation of the pancreas. Corn cobs and fruit pits cause dangerous blockages, so when in doubt, do not share.
Plants to Keep Out of Reach
Sago palm, azalea, oleander, foxglove, and lily of the valley are among the most dangerous garden plants for dogs, and tulip, daffodil, and crocus bulbs are also toxic and easy for a digging puppy to find. Many common houseplants, such as pothos and aloe, can irritate a dog's mouth and stomach, so keep them on high shelves. Before you bring a new plant home, check it against a trusted pet-safe plant list such as the one from the ASPCA, and place any questionable plants where your puppy cannot reach them.
Backyard Hazards
Wild mushrooms, moldy compost, and cocoa bean mulch can all make a puppy sick, and lawn fertilizers and pest treatments carry risks of their own, so follow the label on how long to keep pets off treated areas, since even pet-safe products need time to dry. Walk the yard before you let your puppy out and remove anything that looks edible and unfamiliar.
What to Do If Your Puppy Eats Something
Act quickly by calling your veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline right away, and do not try to make your puppy vomit unless a professional tells you to. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, drooling, tremors, weakness, and unusual behavior, but do not wait for symptoms to appear. Have details ready, including what your puppy ate, how much, and when, and bring the packaging or a piece of the plant with you if you can.
Build Safe Habits at Home
Use trash cans with lids, keep food off the counters, and store medications and supplements in closed cabinets. Let every family member and guest know which foods are off limits, and teach children never to feed the puppy just a bite, since a clear rule is easier to follow. Most poisonings happen when a puppy gets unexpected access to something, and a few simple habits close most of the gaps.
A puppy-safe home starts with knowing what is dangerous. Keep this checklist handy, review it with your family, and share it with anyone who helps care for your puppy. A little awareness goes a long way toward keeping your puppy healthy.