ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

10 common human foods that are unsafe for dogs

Dogs have different digestive systems compared to human beings. This is why the foods that are palatable and healthy for people do not necessarily translate into good meals for their pet dogs. In fact, there are specific human foods that are downright dangerous for furry companions. In many worst-case scenarios, feeding a pet dog certain human foods can be life-threatening too. Considering this, here are some human foods that are harmful to dogs:

Cherries
Snacking on cherries is a favorite pastime for many people. In fact, one can always find a bowl full of fresh and delicious cherries on dining tables everywhere. Unfortunately, cherries are deeply toxic to dogs. The stems, pits, and leaves of cherries contain a deadly chemical known as cyanide. This toxin is known to kill tissues in the body.

Apart from the stem, pits, and leaves, even the fleshy part of cherries can get stuck in the dog’s throat and cause them to choke. All these aspects make cherries one of the most common human foods harmful to dogs.

Mushrooms
Mushrooms are rich in nutrients and taste, which makes them an automatic component for most health-conscious individuals’ daily meals. However, like cherries, mushrooms also possess potentially fatal elements for dogs. Not every mushroom is dangerous. In fact, only a few of them are considered to be life-threatening when it comes to dogs. However, differentiating the bad mushrooms from the harmless ones is tricky, even for the most accomplished botanists. To stay safe, one can remove any traces of mushrooms from their pet dog’s daily meals.

Salt
Foods with any composition of salt in them become harmful to dogs. Here’s why: salty food and salts make dogs’ mouths dry, causing them to feel extremely thirsty. Additionally, salt also causes dogs to urinate more than usual. As a result, salt can cause major dehydration and other issues stemming from a lack of fluids if one does not constantly provide their dogs with water during the day.

A health condition in dogs known as sodium ion poisoning is also directly linked to salt intake. Moreover, it also causes high temperature, seizures, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in some cases, death in dogs if salt is consumed inordinately.

Ice cream
While gorging on some delicious ice cream, one may feel tempted to let their pet dog join the fun. However, giving them ice cream can be a major health hazard. In fact, any kind of dairy product is bad for a canine’s health. A dog’s digestive system does not support milk products, so feeding them ice cream, milk, or cheese can cause massive compatibility issues. A canine’s body does not produce the enzyme that breaks down the sugar found in milk. So, dogs eating a cup of ice cream may vomit immediately and develop long-term gastrointestinal problems.

In addition, milk can trigger allergic reactions in dogs and cause itching and other health problems.

Coffee
Caffeine is not the greatest food for humans, so one can imagine how bad coffee can be for pet dogs. Simply put, giving one’s pet canine even a hint of coffee is a major no-no. Unlike humans, who use coffee to feel awake and stimulated, dogs are incredibly sensitive to caffeine. Even a small amount of caffeine can be incredibly toxic to them. This is why coffee is considered a prominent entry on any listicle about human foods harmful to dogs.

Grapes/raisins
Grapes and raisins are as debilitative to a dog’s health as coffee. These foods can cause kidney failure in canines. Additionally, if a dog eats grapes, it will likely have issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy within the next 12 hours. Other problems, such as decreased appetite, increased urination, and dehydration, arise when the earlier symptoms are not addressed properly and on time. If this condition is not addressed soon, it may prove fatal too. Therefore, it is best to keep these human foods away from the pets.

Almonds
The next unsafe food for dogs is almonds. While nuts, in general, are unsavory for dogs and must not be given (especially macadamia nuts), one needs to know about the devastating effects of almonds on a canine’s body to fully understand why this particular food should be nowhere near a pet canine.

Almonds can block a dog’s windpipe and cause injuries to its esophagus if they are not chewed thoroughly. A specifically dangerous combination is salted almonds. This food can cause one’s pet canine to develop heart disease.

Chocolates
Chocolates contain generous amounts of caffeine, which makes them automatically a harmful food for dogs. However, chocolate has other issues too. For instance, chocolate contains a stimulant chemical named theobromine in addition to caffeine. These chemicals are nearly impossible for dogs’ stomachs to metabolize properly. So, after wolfing down a bar of chocolate, a dog will most likely show symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

Although the toxicity of chocolate varies by its size, type, and the species of dog in question (basically, the darker the chocolate, the more harmful it is for dogs), it is wise to keep dogs away from chocolate altogether.

Avocados
Avocados are rich in a chemical called persin. While humans can include this fruit in their meals without negatively affecting their digestive system, the same cannot be said about dogs.

Intake of avocados can cause fluid retention in dogs’ lungs, pancreas, heart, and abdomen. That may result in oxygen deprivation and, in the worst cases, death. To steer clear of such outcomes, it is advisable to keep dogs away from avocados.

Yeast dough
Yeast dough can inflate a dog’s stomach and release toxic ethanol into the bloodstream. One needs to keep yeast dough away from pet canines to avoid conditions such as toxicosis directly brought about by its intake.

Popular Reads

Top 6 foods that may reduce dementia risk

Many individuals mistakenly believe that dementia is a disease, but it’s a term used to describe symptoms related to memory, social abilities, and thinking. These symptoms can be challenging to manage and can impact daily activities. However, healthcare professionals often recommend implementing a healthy meal plan as a way to improve management. If you’re interested in learning about how your food intake can reduce the risk of developing dementia, read on. What is dementia? As previously mentioned, dementia is not a specific disease. Instead, health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease are among its most frequent causes in older adults. Other known causes of dementia include damage to the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the brain, the formation of balloon-like proteins in the brain, and the breakdown of connections and nerve cells in the brain. While memory loss is one of its most recognizable signs, this symptom alone does not mean one has dementia. Most symptoms of this group of health issues can vary depending on the cause. Hence, here are some of the most common signs to look out for. Memory loss Difficulties while communicating Reasoning and problem-solving issues Poor control of movements and coordination Disorientation Confusion What are the foods that can help reduce the risk of dementia? Typically, dementia and Alzheimer’s are known to be caused by a combination of several factors, such as environmental, lifestyle, and genetic. Furthermore, developing issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can contribute to cognitive decline in patients. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest the consumption of nutrient-rich foods to reduce dementia risk as one grows older. Some of the foods that can be added to one’s meal plan are: Avocados Avocados are one of the most commonly known superfoods, which can provide the brain with the needed energy without a spike in blood sugar levels.

Avoid these 15 common shower mistakes

There is nothing a warm shower cannot resolve. Showering after a long day can be a stress reliever and enhance one’s mood instantly. It also has several other health benefits besides cleansing the body, including facilitating cold relief, boosting immunity, and relieving muscle pain. However, not bathing the right way can give rise to skin conditions such as rashes and eczema. Here are some common mistakes one should avoid while bathing and showering: Not moisturizing after a shower Wiping after a bath can reduce the body’s moisture, causing dry skin, which can lead to rashes and itching. Dermatologists recommend applying body lotion and moisturizer immediately after a shower to retain skin texture and prevent dryness. One should look for hypoallergenic moisturizers that do not have any added fragrances. Bathing in scorching hot water Scorching hot water can damage keratin cells in the skin’s outer layer. Consequently, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. It is important to balance the water temperature before stepping into the shower. Ideally, the temperature of the water should be lukewarm. Using the wrong towel An absorbent towel that does not feel rough is ideal for wiping oneself after a shower. The most effective way to select the right towel is to check its density, measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Towels with GSMs between 400 and 550 are considered ideal for use after bathing. One should avoid towels below a GSM of 400, as these towels can be thin and rough, causing skin dryness. Moreover, towels made of superior-quality Egyptian or Turkish cotton are extremely soft and perfect for the skin. Soaping the arms and legs excessively While it is important to wash and clean one’s arms and legs, these areas typically do not collect much oil and dust. Hence, scrubbing them excessively can dry out these areas and hamper their natural texture.

15 signs of a weak immune system

The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, and proteins that act as the body’s defense mechanism against diseases and infections. The system —the innate immune system that people are born with and the adaptive immune system, which develops due to exposure to toxins and microbes. Both parts work together to keep infection-causing germs and toxins. So, weak immunity can make the body susceptible to diseases and other health issues. High stress levels The American Psychological Association suggests that chronic stress weakens the immune system. This is because stress lowers the number of white blood cells (i.e., lymphocytes) in the body that fight infections, increasing the risk of infections such as the common cold. Persistent cold Most adults develop two to three colds per year, which usually last from 7 to 10 days. During this period, the immune system forms antibodies to fight the virus. However, if one keeps catching a cold or is dealing with common cold symptoms for a long time, it could be a sign of weak immunity. Slow-healing wounds When one develops a cut or a wound, the body immediately goes into damage control mode to stop any bleeding and regenerate skin. Immune cells in the body guide this process. However, when dealing with a weakened immune system, wounds take longer to heal. This can make one more susceptible to infections as well. Frequent infections Those with a lowered immunity are at a higher risk of contracting infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, bronchitis, and skin infections. They are also more likely to experience autoimmune disorders, organ inflammation, blood disorders such as anemia, and growth and developmental delays. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, some signs of weak immunity include: – Having more than four ear infections in a year – Developing pneumonia twice within a year – Dealing with chronic sinusitis or more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a year Fatigue If one constantly feels tired despite getting enough sleep, it may be a sign of weak immunity.