Dangerous Foods To Avoid For Your Labrador Retriever:
By: Sharda Baker
Hi there,
Sharda Baker here again.
In this article, I would like to discuss some of the DANGEROUS foods that should be
avoided for your Labrador Retriever, and all dogs for that
matter.
The list is not exhaustive and I suggest you find a good Labrador book
that covers a Labradors dietary needs and remember, your
Vet can be a fantastic resource to help manage the
dietary needs of your Lab.
Let's get started then.
WHAT NOT TO FEED YOUR
LABRADOR RETRIEVER:
It is important to avoid
feeding your Labrador
excessive amounts of “human food” in the form of
table
scraps or little treats. While your dog may gaze longingly at you while
you are snacking, it is in the dog’s best interest to avoid
these
morsels.
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Dairy products such as cheese and yogurt may cause diarrhea
in
lactose intolerant dogs. You may decide to try these
cautiously
in the beginning and see how your Lab goes after discussion
with
your Vet. A dog’s diet should never exceed 10% of
the total
amount as table scraps or human food. In addition, never give a dog
human vitamins or supplements (unless prescribed by a
veterinarian) as they can cause health concerns.
COOKED BONES
Cooked bones of any kind can easily
splinter in the dog’s mouth and may cause damage
to the gums, throat, and lining of the stomach and digestive system. In
addition, the bones can lodge in the throat and cause severe damage. Raw meaty bones are the
best for dogs, and should be removed when the meat is
removed.
RAW EGGS
Raw eggs may
cause salmonella,
or decrease the rate and amount of absorption of biotin - leading to
poor quality coats and hair problems in adult dogs and puppies.
SALT - GARLIC AND ONIONS
Salt may cause electrolyte imbalances and dehydration in dogs. It
should be eliminated from the diet as much as possible. Onions and
garlic contain sulfoxides and disulfides that can lead to anemia in
dogs. Thee are some garlic powders available commercially
that
some owners use without problems as they contain small amounts
of sulfoxides and disulfide. If you are interested in using
garlic powder, it is suggested that you discuss
this issue
with your Vet.
CAT FOOD
Avoid feeding your Labrador cat food or any other type of pet food. Cat
food is designed for cats, and they have different dietary needs than
dogs. Cat foods tend to be higher in sugars and proteins, and this can
cause complications for dogs as they age.
RAW PORK, LAMB AND RABBIT
Raw pork, lamb or rabbit should not be fed to dogs. These meats can
contain various diseases such as tapeworms that can be fatal to dogs if
not treated. In addition internal meats such as liver and kidney should
only be given to dogs if it is organic, as there may be toxins
concentrated in these organs.
CANDY AND CHOCOLATE
Do not feed your Labrador candies or chocolates. Candies contain high
amounts of sugars that are not healthy for dogs. Chocolate consumption
can cause toxicity in dogs that can be lethal, even in small doses.
Anyway, I am sure you will agree,
we should keep
that yummy chocolate for ourselves!
For further information on dangerous
dog food and other diet and nutrition needs, please
see our Insider's
Guide To The Labrador ebook and audio package.
All the best.
Until next time.
Sharda B.
Dedicated
To Making All Of Your Dog Experiences Happy Ones!
