Garlic and onions

Though delicious to us humans, both garlic and onions can cause gastrointestinal upset and red blood cell damage in dogs. Signs can be delayed and only become apparent a few days following ingestion.

Grapes, raisins and dried fruit

These small, dried morsels can cause liver and kidney damage in dogs. Although their toxicity levels are unknown, dog owners should always avoid letting their dog near them.

Mouldy foods 

Never let your dog rummage through a bin or compost heap where they might come into contact with mould. Some moulds contain harmful spores that not only cause stomach upset but also, if inhaled whilst eating, can cause lung damage and breathing difficulties.

Fatty foods

Giving dogs scraps from the table is often something people love to do, however feeding fatty trims of meat or overly rich foods that dogs are not used to eating can cause pancreatitis, a painful condition that often requires hospitalisation and lifelong dietary management.

Raw eggs

Feeding raw egg whites can affect biotin levels (Vitamin B7 which is important in the maintenance of keratinised structures such as the skin and hair) as they contain a binder called avidin. If eggs are to form part of the daily diet, they should be cooked.

Cooked bones 

Raw bones often make a great treat for raw fed dogs but cooked, steamed and dried bones can splinter and cause damage to the mouth, stomach and intestines. If you choose to feed raw bones, do your research first on the most appropriate option for your dog.

Macadamia nuts 

Raw, roasted or contained within other foods, macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, weakness, depression, tremors and an increase in body temperature.

Corn cobs 

A common sight in summer time at BBQs, but whilst the left over cobs can make a lovely chewy snack for dogs, they are often swallowed whole causing serious intestinal blockage which requires surgery to remove.