Ville Magazine l Insider Access for City Lifestyle May/Jun 2016 / Health & Fitness Issue | Page 15

ANIMAL INSTINCT
BEGGIN’

Besides seasonal allergies, dogs can also have food allergies. It’s hard to resist sharing our delicious meals with our
dogs when they are staring up at you with their sad puppy eyes as if they were dying from starvation. But before
you give in to the begging, you better make sure you aren’t giving them something that could end up killing them.

CHOCOLATE

ONIONS/GARLIC

We all have been told that
dogs cannot eat chocolate.
The reason is because
it contains caffeine and
throbromine, which both fall
under the methylxanthines
category.
Methylxanthines
are stimulants that will poison
your pooch, stopping its
metabolic process.

Onions will indeed make your
dog cry. They damage red
blood cells, and if too much is
consumed a blood transfusion
may be necessary. Garlic is in
the same family and will bear
the same affects. However,
garlic is more potent and
stronger in toxicity.

AVOCADOS

Milk may be a treat for
cats, but like humans, dogs
can suffer from lactose
intolerance. Milk contains a
sugar that dogs do not carry
the enzymes to break down.
This will cause digestive
issues that can lead to serious
bacterial exposure.

Although avocados are more
toxic to other animals and
there is much controversy
around this topic, you might
want to hold off on sharing
that tasty avocado with
your little buddy. Its toxin,
persin, can cause breathing
difficulties, upset stomach,
and fluid in the chest.

MACADAMIA NUTS

These delicious nuts are
not so innocent. It is one of
the most dangerous things
your dog can eat. Part of the
Protaceae family, these will
cause vomiting, increased
body temperature, inability to
walk, lethargy, and also affects
the nervous system.

GRAPES

Although it’s still unknown as
to what exactly causes such
traumatic effects on your
canine, grapes are right up
there with macadamia nuts.
The most serious side effect
of grapes is kidney failure.

MILK

BACON

Your dog may beg for some
Beggin’ Strips, but the real
deal is not good for them.
Bacon, although oh so good,
is high in fat and can lead to
pancreatitis in dogs.

XYLITOL

Highly toxic to dogs, Xylitol
is a sugar alcohol that even
humans should not consume
in large quantities. It can be
found in gum, candy, baked
goods, toothpaste and many
other products. It can lead
to hypoglycemia and/or liver
failure in your furry friend.
You can find Xylitol under
ingredients or listed as “sugar
alcohols” under the serving
size on the nutrition facts.

HEALTH & FITNESS ISSUE l VILLE l 15