What Is Bad Dog Food?...

Stop Feeding Your Dog … Crap! What Is Bad Dog Food?

With all the talk these days of providing our dogs with a healthy, nutritional diet, we sometimes lose focus of  those things that are not healthy. Do you feed your dog table scraps? Bread? Pretzels? Grapes? – The list goes on and on, and as pet owners we sometimes fail to realize the negative consequences associated with these foods. What is bad dog food? In a nutshell, anything that is not healthy for them!

If you ask any canine they will probably tell you there is no such thing as bad dog food, but the reality is that many of the cheaper brands are not that good for them. Some of the lesser-known brands have been known to use ingredients that may not be the best for them, including beef from sick or dying cows as well as other animals that may not be in the best of health.

Additionally, not all dog food is created equal and it may not contain the vitamins and minerals dogs need for health. Dogs at different stages of their growth need different supplements and even if made with healthy ingredients, may be bad dog food if it does not have what your dog needs. There are certain ingredients your dog will need for its health, but there are also certain foods that are unhealthy that dogs must avoid.

For example, apples are considered a health food for people, but for dogs apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can result in cyanide poisoning in canines. The same thing can happen with apricots and cherries making these fruits extremely bad dog food.

Accidental Ingestion Of Bad Dog Food Can Be Deadly

Everyone knows that smoking is hazardous for our health, but nicotine can also be deadly for dogs. Cigarette butts, cigars and pipe tobacco if ingested by the family pet can cause nicotine poisoning, with the symptoms including hyperactivity, vomiting and diarrhea which can lead to rapid heartbeat and cardiac arrest. Nicotine patches and gum can be just as deadly to the pet so be cautious using these in the house. Keep these products out of  your dog’s reach to avoid any concerns.

Dogs are also susceptible to stomach problems and pancreatic diseases from ingesting too much salt, whether in their diet or accidentally ingested. They have been known to drink way too much water after the salt, which can cause the stomach to fill with gas and become twisted, resulting in a potentially painful death.

When In Doubt, Avoidance Is Best …

Also on the bad dog food list is raw bread dough, although not poisonous, if ingested the heat from the dogís stomach can cause the bread to raise, causing extreme discomfort. Additionally, during the raising process bread dough creates alcohol which can cause health problems for canines.

Do not share your morning coffee with your dog, or a soda or other drink containing caffeine as it works as a stimulant and has been known to cause seizures in animals, some have been fatal. Should your dog be eating the following?

1. Bananas – Yes/No
2. Cashews – Yes/No
3. Milk – Yes/No
4. Ice Cream – Yes/No
5. Peanut Butter – Yes/No
6. Chocolate – Yes/No
7. Raisins – Yes/N0
8. Cheese – Yes/No
9. Caffeine – Yes/No
10. Bacon – Yes/No

Okay, so how do you think you did? Obviously, this is not an all-inclusive list, but it does give a sample of items our pets may be consuming at home. If you are unsure, make sure to do some research before feeding your dog something you are not sure about. Let’s look at the correct answers to the question asked above:

If you answered ‘yes‘ to numbers 1, 2 and 5, you are correct! The other items listed should be avoided as they can be harmful to your dog, especially given in excess. Your dog’s digestive system is not equipped to handle these foods for various reasons, so make sure to eliminate them from your dog’s diet.

Conclusion … Awareness Is Key

In summary, provide your canine with a healthy, nutritional diet. This should include the recipe you are feeding your dog, treats and any table scraps. Dogs will eat just about anything, so it is your responsibility in knowing what may be harmful to your pet. To a long, healthy life to your four-legged companion! Feel free to provide questions or feedback in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing from you!