Some people make their dog’s food at home. In addition to dog food, some tend to feed table scraps to their pets when they get curious. So, it is important to know the basic dos and don’ts of feeding dogs as well as adhere to healthy dog food tips to keep pets in optimum health. There are some foods that might be part of your meal that are an absolute no for your pet dog. So, in an attempt to provide the best healthy dog food tips, the following foods must be kept away from dogs at all costs.

1. Onions, Garlic, and Chives
While onions are a staple ingredient in many dishes, they must never be fed to dogs. Onions cause Heinz body anemia in dogs that can at first damage or destroy their red blood cells and then their kidneys. Garlic and chives have a similar effect. Always read the labels of packaged foods before you share with your pet and do not feed them any table scraps that contain onions, garlic or chives.

2. Chocolate
Chocolate is a delight for humans but highly toxic to dogs. Cocoa has a compound called theobromine that has ill effects on the nervous system, lungs, kidney, and heart of dogs. The ingestion of chocolate, cocoa beans, cocoa powder, or foods containing them as ingredients is to be strictly avoided. It can cause seizures, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, drunken gait, hyperactivity, hyperthermia, or a coma.

3. Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts can make a dog very ill. Even a handful of nuts can cause adverse symptoms such as joint pain, joint swelling, vomiting, weakness, depression, and a drunken gait. This is one of the most crucial healthy dog food tips.

4. Xylitol
This sweetener is commonly used in many sugar-free products. Even a small dose of this sweetener can cause your dog to produce too much insulin and become hypoglycemic. It can damage the liver. Symptoms include drunken gait, weakness, and seizures.

5. Caffeine
One should keep an eye on the coffee or teapot in case their pet dog decides to sample the contents. The effects of caffeine on a dog’s system are very similar to those caused by cocoa. All caffeine-containing foods such as coffee beans, coffee, caffeine tablets, tea, and chocolate should be kept out of the reach of pets.

6. Alcohol
A weekend party might end with many unfinished alcoholic drinks lying around unattended. This can be a potential hazard to your dog. Even smaller amounts of ethanol can affect the nervous and respiratory system of a dog. Ethanol is absorbed into the dog’s system and immediate medical attention is recommended. Uncooked yeast-based doughs also contain ethanol and should be kept or disposed of away from pets.

7. Fruit Seeds and Pits
The pits and seeds of common fruits such as plums, peaches, apples, pears, and cherries contain cyanide which is toxic. Ingestion of pits and seeds containing cyanide can cause breathing problems, heart problems, vomiting, skin irritation, and coma. Avocado seeds, fruit, leaves, and bark contain persin which causes diarrhea and vomiting.

So, in addition to knowing healthy dog food tips for your dog, it is good to also know what to avoid.