Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world.
It is a cornerstone of civilisation, from East to West.
History has been made over a shared tea (and sometimes humans have even fought over it).
Tea is as inherently human as walking on two legs.
But can dogs drink tea?
Maybe you’ve noticed your dog “sniffing around” when you sit down for your morning cup of tea.
Maybe you’ve even given your dog a few sips.
Is this safe? Or is this harmful for your dog?
Let’s find out if dogs can safely drink tea or not.
Is Tea Safe For Dogs?
The first step is to determine whether or not tea is safe for dogs.
If it isn’t safe, then there is no point in giving your dog any tea to drink!
Long story short, tea isn’t really safe for dogs. The reason for this is that tea contains caffeine, and dogs are at great risk from caffeine toxicity.
While the quantity of caffeine in tea is relatively low for a human, it could be all too high for a dog.
Even a relatively small amount of caffeine could be harmful for your dog, which means a relatively small amount of tea could be problematic!
Remember that your dog has a different metabolic system to a human, and weighs a lot less than you do. While the caffeine in a cup of tea isn’t going to do much to you, it could have serious consequences for your dog.
Therefore, dogs shouldn’t drink tea.
My Dog Has Drunk Tea – What Should I Do?
If your dog has consumed some tea accidentally, then you’ll probably want to know what you should do in this situation.
How you respond will depend largely on how much tea you think your dog has consumed.
For example, if your dog has chewed up and eaten several tea bags, then we would strongly suggest taking your dog to the vet (even if this is just a precaution).
However, if your dog has just had a couple of sips of tea, then this probably isn’t anything to worry about.
To a large extent, this is all about using your judgement. If you notice any changes in behaviour, vomiting etc, then definitely go to the vet.
Conclusion
Can dogs drink tea?
No, they should not. Although a small amount of tea is unlikely to be too harmful, it is never a good idea to get into the habit of providing your dog with any substance that contains caffeine.
If you want a liquid treat for your dog, then it’s much better to invest in some quality pet milk instead.
Cola is one of the most popular drinks in the world for humans. For some, it is an occasional treat. For others, it’s a bit of an addiction (if we’re honest).
But can dogs drink cola?
Maybe you’ve been quietly enjoying a can or two of refreshing cola, and then your beloved pooch has come along to try and get some off you.
Dogs may be attracted to the sweet smell and sugary taste of cola – but is it safe?
In this short article, we look at whether or not dogs can safely drink cola.
Is Cola Safe For Dogs?
For all intents and purposes, no. Cola isn’t safe for dogs, and here’s why:
1. Cola contains caffeine, and caffeine is highly toxic to dogs. As we established in our articles about whether or not dogs can drink coffee and energy drinks, caffeine is harmful to dogs. What would be a relatively modest amount of caffeine for a human could be fatal to your four-legged friend. The caffeine content of your favorite cola has the potential to cause serious illness for your dog.
2. It is terrible for your dog’s teeth. The combination of acidity, sugar, and carbonation work in tandem to wreak havoc on your dog’s teeth. Remember that your dog doesn’t brush twice a day like you (hopefully) do, so the effect is even worse. Tooth decay is a serious problem for dogs.
3. Full-sugar colas are packed with empty calories. Excessive weight gain is a massive problem for many dogs (pun intended). Cola contains nothing but empty calories, which risks causing serious health problems for your dog.
4. Diet colas contain a variety of sweeteners, which may be harmful for your dog. Don’t think that diet colas are a decent alternative – the sweeteners in them may be harmful for your dog, and there are still concerns around tooth decay and the caffeine issue.
Therefore, it is very clear that cola isn’t safe for dogs.
What To Do If Your Dog Has Consumed Some Cola
If your dog has accidentally drunk some cola (e.g. from a bottle or can that was left open and tipped over) then how you respond will depend on the approximate quantity that was consumed.
A small amount won’t likely cause any problems, but it’s still worth monitoring your dog over the coming hours and days to ensure they don’t develop any changes in behaviour, start vomiting etc. If this happens, then go to the vets.
If your dog has consumed a substantial quantity of cola, then this would be an emergency in our opinion and you should go to the vet immediately.
Conclusion – Can Dogs Drink Cola?
Absolutely not. There is no good reason to allow your dog to drink any amount of cola. It has no nutritional value for your dog, and could be seriously harmful.
If your dog has consumed a small amount of cola inadvertently, then you probably don’t need to worry. However, if you are concerned that your dog has somehow consumed a substantial quantity, then it is definitely worth considering a visit to the vet.
For many humans across the world, an energy drink (or two) is a bit of a daily ritual.
From office workers to hard labourers, many people love the taste and buzz they get from energy drinks.
But what about dogs?
Can dogs drink energy drinks? Or are they harmful to your precious pooch?
In this short article, we aim to find out!
Can Energy Drinks Kill Dogs?
Long story short, energy drinks are extremely dangerous for dogs.
As we established in our article on whether or not dogs can drink coffee, dogs are sensitive to caffeine.
Even a modest amount of caffeine (for a human) could be fatal for your dog, as it can cause rapid rises in heart rate, and a whole host of other unpleasant side effect.
Therefore, your dog should not be given energy drink under ANY circumstance.
Energy drinks often contain more caffeine than coffee, so are even more dangerous.
Furthermore, energy drinks are generally laden with sugar and sweeteners, which can also be harmful for your dog.
We hope you can see just how bad energy drinks are for your dog!
My Dog Has Accidentally Drunk Some Energy Drink – What Should I Do?
In writing this article, we figured that 99% of the people out there with dogs who might read it are probably already aware that they shouldn’t give any energy drink to their pooch.
But what about if your dog has accidentally drunk some energy drink?
For example, you might have had a half-finished can sitting on your table, and your dog has managed to knock it off and drink it from the floor.
What do you do in this scenario?
Basically, your response will depend on how much of the energy drink your dog has consumed.
For example, if your dog has only consumed a splash of Red Bull, then this is unlikely to cause harm (e.g. a few mLs fell out of the can, and they lapped it up). We would still advise monitoring your dog over the coming hours and days to see if there are any signs of illness or distress, e.g. vomiting. If so, a trip to the vet is on the cards.
However, anything over say 50 mL would probably be concerning in our opinion. Certainly, if your dog has managed to drink say a half can of Red Bull or Monster, then you need to make an emergency trip to the vet.
This could be a life or death situation!!!
To conclude, dogs cannot drink energy drink. It is dangerous due to the caffeine level and risk of caffeine toxicity (you can learn more about this on our article ‘can dogs drink coffee?’).
If your dog has consumed a noticeable quantity of energy drink, then we recommend you pay a visit to the vet – sooner, rather than later.
Continuing on with our current theme of the foods and drinks that are (and often aren’t) safe for dogs, today we are looking at whether or not dogs can drink coffee.
Coffee may be essential to the daily functioning of many humans – but what about our four-legged friends?
Can they perk themselves up with a quick hit of Java … or is that going to cause health problems?
Is Coffee Safe For Dogs?
NO
Coffee is not safe for dogs, and dogs cannot drink coffee.
The key reason for this is that coffee is high in caffeine. Dogs have a low tolerance for caffeine, and even relatively small amount of caffeine could be seriously harmful for your dog if ingested.
Compared to humans, dogs simply have a far lower tolerance for caffeine (this makes even more sense when you consider that dogs generally weigh a lot less than their human companions).
A couple of sips of coffee won’t kill your dog, but the ingestion of even a relatively small amount of coffee grounds (or drinking larger quantities of coffee) could be fatal, especially for smaller dogs who are even more prone to the effects of coffee.
What Are The Effects Of Coffee On Your Dog?
If your dog consumes too much coffee, then the following symptoms may occur:
Restlessness
Vomiting
Shortness of breath
Tremors
Seizures
Abnormal heart rhythm
Elevated body temperature
Elevated heart rate
Death
As you can see, coffee (and its constituent, caffeine) really are not good for dogs at all!
What Should You Do If You Suspect Your Dog Has Consumed Coffee?
This depends largely on the quantity you suspect your dog has consumed.
For example, if your dog has just sipped a couple of sips of coffee out of the bottom of your cup, then you probably have nothing to worry about.
However, if your dog has managed to eat a bag of coffee grounds, then that is a serious emergency and you need to get to the vet immediately.
If you suspect only a relatively small amount of coffee has been consumed, then you are probably fine just to monitor your dog over the coming hours and days to note any change in behaviour, vomiting etc. If you notice this, then once again you need to get down the vet – pronto!
Conclusion – Can Dogs Drink Coffee?
No, absolutely not. Dogs cannot and should not drink coffee, as it could be very toxic to them.
If your dog has consumed a small amount of coffee, then that’s unlikely to be too harmful.
However, consumption of any serious amount of coffee is an emergency, and should be treated as such.
Welcome to Dogopedia – the website where we aim to answer your questions about dogs and dog ownership.
In today’s article, we are continuing with our dog food theme, examining the types of food that dogs can (or cannot, in some cases) eat.
Can dogs eat blueberries is what we are looking at today.
Blueberries are a tasty, highly nutritious, often rather expensive fruit for humans to eat. But what about dogs? Is is it safe to give your dog some blueberries as an occasional treat, or could they cause harm, illness, or even death?
Is it safe to feed your dog blueberries? Let’s find out!
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Blueberries
The good news is that dogs can definitely eat blueberries. They are not a harmful/toxic food for your dog to eat.
In fact, blueberries are a superb source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and more.
It’s actually rather difficult to think of a fruit that would be healthier for your dog than blueberries!
Not only are blueberries great for humans … they are an excellent choice for their beloved canine companions as well.
Here’s a quick explanation of why that is the case:
Blueberries Are Packed With Health-Giving Nutrients
One of the reasons that dogs can eat blueberries safely is that they are packed with health giving nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
The antioxidant power of blueberries is particularly interesting. Antioxidants help to fight against ‘free radicals’ which contribute to the ageing process and molecular/cellular damage.
Combine this with the fact that blueberries are very low in calories, and they make a good treat option for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Frozen Blueberries
We’ve established that blueberries are fine for your dog. But is there any difference when it comes to frozen blueberries?
The good news is that frozen blueberries are also safe for your dog to eat.
In fact, frozen blueberries could be a great idea as a healthy treat for your dog on a hot day!
If you’ve seen our guide on how to keep your dog cool, then you’ll know that feeding frozen food/treats (provided it’s safe) is a good way to lower that temperature.
Conclusion
To sum up – can your dog eat blueberries?
Yes, your precious pooch sure can! In fact, they are probably one of the best healthy fruit snacks that your dog can have.
Low in calories, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they are simply a great choice for your dog.
Just keep in mind the ‘best practices’ around not feeding your dog too many treats (ideally, treats should not constitute more than 10% of your dog’s diet) and you will be fine.
Can dogs eat avocados? Are they healthy or dangerous for dogs? Avocados may be a wonder-food for humans due to being rich in essential vitamins and minerals, but you should be careful about feeding them to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Avocados?
Avocados are associated with all sorts of problems in a variety of different animals, including horses, cattle, goats, fish, birds and many more. The reason for this is because avocados contain persin, which can cause mastitis, heart failure, and potentially even death.
Persin exists in the avocado fruit’s leaves, seed, stem and skin. It is a toxic fatty acid that can be toxic in large quantities, but interestingly dogs and even cats seem to be unaffected by its toxicity.
Dr. Justine Lee, a board-certified emergency critical care veterinary specialist and author of two popular books on pets said “Despite the rumours, avocado is not poisonous to dogs, nor likely to cats,”
“Dogs and cats don’t seem to be affected by persin,” explains Lee. “However, birds and large animals (such as horses and cattle) have issues with persin toxicity, as it can be deadly in these species.
The biggest risk to dogs is not persin, but in fact the seed of an avocado. Avocado seeds can cause an obstruction in your dog’s digestive system if they are ingested. They are very large and if they do get stuck, your dog may require medical treatment to remove them.
The flesh of an avocado can be fed to dogs, but we recommend that you only give them small quantities of it.
Why Do Some People Say You Shouldn’t Feed Avocado to Dogs?
Most of the controversy around feeding avocado to dogs comes from a study that was published in 1994. This study about the death of two dogs found that they had consumed whole avocados, including parts of the plant.
A later study in 2012 looked at feeding avocado extract to dogs over a six month period. The extract was a defatted, water soluble extract of the flesh, skin and seed and made up about 1.1 percent of the dog’s diet. It was concluded that the dogs that consumed the avocado extract suffered no adverse health effects over this period.
Are There Any Benefits of Avocado for Dogs?
Avocados are loaded with all sorts of good vitamins, minerals and fats. Some vets even recommend feeding dogs avocado based food products if they are suffering from poor coat or skin condition. Dogs that are suffering from dry skin, skin infections, hair loss or thinning, and hair or skin odour problems may be deficient in fats and antioxidants.
Vitamin A and E deficiency, along with low levels of fat will often lead to dry skin, flaky, itchy skin and skin infections. Because avocados are rich in vitamin A, E, and omega fatty acids, they can be used to improve coat and skin condition.
Are Avocados Bad for Dogs?
So we know that you can feed avocado flesh to your dog, but are there any downsides. While fats are an important part of a dog’s diet, too much fat can be a bad thing. You should always contact your vet and get their opinion before adding something to your dog’s regular diet.
High fat diets for dogs have been linked to pancreatitis, so you need to be careful when adding anything to your dog’s regular diet. Check out this article from 2008 to learn more about the effects of high fat diets in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado Based Products, Like Guacamole?
The avocado in something like guacamole is not the problem, it is everything else that makes up the product that can cause issues. Anything that contains onions or garlic should be avoided, and there are a whole host of other food items that can be dangerous as well. You can read more about them here.
We recommend that you steer clear of any products that are not pure avocado, unless you know exactly what they contain or if they are designed for dogs. Many avocado based products will also be loaded with salt and other spices which can be bad for dogs.
How Should You Give Avocado to Dogs?
If you are set on introducing avocado into your dog’s diet or you just want to give them a small bit as a treat there are some things to remember. Only give your dog avocado flesh and cut it up into smaller pieces. Do not feed your dog the skin or the seed, and make sure you dispose of them out of reach of your dog.
Introduce avocado slowly, as any new food product has the potential to cause an upset stomach or your dog may even be allergic.
Consider purchasing an avocado based pet food product like AvoDerm Natural. AvoDerm is manufactured from the flesh and oil of avocados, and does not contain any product from the leaves, stem, seed or skin.
How Often Can You Feed Avocado to Dogs?
Like with all things, moderation is the key. You should not be feeding excessive amounts of avocado to your dog. Too much avocado may cause vomiting, diarrhea and an upset stomach.
We suggest you only give your dog small pieces of avocado as a treat only. If you are using an avocado based dog food product that is okay, but always talk to your veterinarian before starting a new diet.
What to Do If Your Dog Has Eaten an Avocado Seed?
If your dog has ingested an avocado seed, we recommend that you seek veterinarian advice immediately. Look to see if your dog has left any parts of the avocado uneaten, as this will be important information for your vet. The important thing is to get your dog assessed as quickly as possible as the avocado seed may require surgical removal.
Wrapping Up Are Avocados Safe for Dogs to Eat?
As you can see there is quite a bit of information regarding feeding avocados to dogs. You need to remember that you should only feed your dog avocado flesh in small quantities, and do not feed them the skin, seed, or any parts of the plant.
Avocado should not make up a large part of your dog’s diet, as this should come from their regular dog food. If you do insist of introducing avocado into your dog’s diet, we recommend consulting with a veterinarian first.
Dogs love treats and when we came across these yoghurt treats on a recent trip to Japan, we had to buy them. We couldn’t believe that dog biscuits could come so nicely packaged and thought they would make a great present for Daisy and Winston back home.
The biscuits don’t really have a name, but the packaging states that they are only for dogs and that’s a good thing. These dog treats look so incredibly good we were wanting to give them a try ourselves. Of course we didn’t, but we have no doubt that these are the best looking and best presented treats we have ever given our dogs.
The biscuits look like some sort of shortbread and they all come individually wrapped, as many things do in Japan. All the individually packeted biscuits then come in one larger bag that looks more like something you might find in a jewellery store. The biscuits themselves contain yoghurt in them, but we are not sure about all of the ingredients inside.
Did Our Dogs Like These Special Japanese Dog Treats?
In a word, yes. Our dogs went ballistic over these treats and they kept on hounding us for more. They weren’t too fussed when we were opening the packet, but once they saw the treats it was game over.
As the treats are fairly large they are probably not the best for training purposes. They also break up and crumble fairly easily as well, so they are best suited for special occasions. We were a bit unsure how they would affect Daisy and Winston’s tummies, but we are glad to say there was no trouble in the morning.
Other Incredible Japanese Dog Treats
This was our first encounter with Japanese dog treats such as these and it got me thinking, what other interesting treats are out there. I had a quick look for Japanese dog treats and have listed some of the ones I found below:
Bolo Biscuit Cookie For Dogs
Apparently these biscuits are very popular and they come in a range of different flavours. The ones we have linked to are the Blueberry Bolo and cheese cabbage variety, which sure sounds like an interesting mix. There also looks to be anything from apple flavour to sweet potato and milk. These are additive free treats, so they need to be used fairly quickly once opened.
With a name like “The person of the dog snack” there is no way we couldn’t include this one. While we know that this is probably due to some seriously poor translation, we couldn’t help but laugh at the name. It looks like it is made of horse meat in Mongolia, so we probably wouldn’t buy it ourselves, but the product is still interesting nonetheless.
Dogs love a bit of fish and now you can give them a whole one. Our last product we found were these tiny little fish and according to the vendor “the taste does not surely disappoint the exception of the doggy, too”. The wakasagi fish is found in a lakes around Hokkaido and is a suitable treat for dogs worried about their daily salt intake. If your dog is looking for a healthy treat, these fish snacks will be the ones for them.
So what are the strangest or most interesting dog treats you have come across. Let us know in the comments below and if you do purchase any of the above, do send us a photo or leave a comment on our Facebook page here.
Can dogs eat tomatoes? The answer to that question is a bit more complicated than first seems. While tomatoes are great for humans to eat, there are a few things you need to consider before giving them to your dog.
You might have heard that tomatoes can have some health benefits; however, there are also some serious potential risks if you are not carful feeding them to your canine.
Today, we are going to have a look at whether tomatoes are safe for dogs to eat and if they are good or bad for dogs. We are also going to look at different food products that contain tomato, and see if they are ok for your dog to eat.
In this article you will learn that some parts of a tomato plant are safe for dogs, and some are not. Dogs can also be allergic to tomatoes as well, although this is usually quite rare.
Once you have finished reading this article, you will have all the information needed to answer the question “Can dogs eat tomatoes safely?” and decide whether to feed them to your dog.
Fun Facts About Tomatoes
Tomatoes originated in western South America and the Aztec word tomatl was the inspiration for the Spanish word “tomate”, from which the English word tomato was formed. The Spanish first discovered the tomato from their contact with the Aztec civilisation during the colonisation of the Americas.
Interestingly, a legal dispute in the United States in 1887, lead to tomatoes being classed as a vegetable by the US Supreme Court in 1893. This was because they are generally served with dinner and not dessert. Botanically, tomatoes are still classed as fruit.
Are Tomatoes Safe for Dogs to Eat?
The question of “are tomatoes safe for dogs?” is a bit more complicated than a yes, no answer. Some parts are perfectly safe for your dog to consume, while others are not.
It is important to remember that tomatoes are part of the nightshade family, and parts of them contain substances that can be toxic in large doses. While poising from overeating tomatoes is quite rare in dogs, it is best to know what parts to avoid.
Below we have listed some of the parts of a tomato or tomato plant you should never give to your dog.
Leaves
Roots
Stems
Green, unripe tomatoes
The parts listed above are toxic to dogs because they contain a few different components that are harmful to dogs, including solanine (tomatine in tomatoes). Solanine is found in the leaves, stem and in green tomatoes, along with plants in the same family. It is harmful to dogs in large quantities and can cause some serious health complications.
Luckily for dogs, solanine is mostly concentrated in the green parts of a tomato plant rather than the ripe, red fruit. Ripe tomatoes do contain trace amounts of solanine; however, the amount is so small that red tomatoes are generally considered safe for dogs to eat.
While it is great news that ripe tomatoes are safe for dogs to eat, it is still problematic for those of us who love to grow our own tomatoes in our garden.
Keeping dogs away from certain places is always a battle and stopping them from chomping down on a nice tomato plant is easier said than done. If you decide to grow tomatoes in your garden, make sure you put them in a place where your canine companion is unable to each them.
Can Puppies Eat Tomatoes?
We now know that ripe tomatoes are ok for dogs to eat and the green parts of tomatoes are not, but what about puppies? Puppies tend to have weaker immune systems that are still developing, so the effects of harmful parts of tomatoes may be stronger. We recommend you avoid giving tomatoes to your puppy, until they get a bit older.
Nutritional Value of Tomato (100g)
Calories – 18
Water – 95 %
Protein – 0.9 g
Carbs – 3.9 g
Sugar – 2.6 g
Fiber – 1.2 g
Fat – 0.2 g
Saturated – 0.03 g
Monounsaturated – 0.03 g
Polyunsaturated – 0.08 g
Omega-3 – 0 g
Omega-6 – 0.08 g
How Are Tomatoes Good for Dogs?
Tomatoes are loaded in good nutrients and minerals, and are good for dogs when consumed in appropriate quantities. They are low in calories and high in fibre. Additionally, tomatoes contain large amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene, which can help to fight certain diseases.
Tomatoes are also loaded with vitamins including vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B12.
We’ve listed some of the benefits of tomatoes below.
Vitamin C – Boosts the immune system and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is also important for your dog’s skin condition and can help wound healing.
Vitamin A – Is good for your dog’s vision. Like Vitamin C, it is also beneficial to your dog’s skin.
Beta-carotene – Can improve cognition and helps to prevent metabolic syndrome.
Lycopene – Promotes healthy, strong bones and aids in the prevention of cancer. It can also help to reduce the risk of strokes and heart disease.
Fibre – Aids your dog’s digestive system
Minerals such as folate and potassium – helps to promote healthy blood pressure and muscle health.
You will have to decide if the health benefits of giving tomatoes outweighs the possible negatives. It may be best to talk to your vet before supplying your dog with them. We have outlined some of the negatives below.
How Are Tomatoes Bad for Dogs?
We know that green tomatoes and the leaves, stems and roots of tomato plants are toxic to dogs. While your dog would have to eat large amounts of them, you should always have this in the back of your mind.
The most common sign of tomato poisoning in dogs is gastrointestinal issues; however, dogs can also suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, an abnormal heart rate, and a few other symptoms. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your vet immediately.
When you give your dog ripe tomatoes, you should make sure you wash them thoroughly and even remove the skin if possible.
This is important because non-organic tomatoes are often grown with the use of many different pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilisers, insecticides, dyes and synthetic agents. Organic tomatoes will have less of these; however, it is still a good practice to was them thoroughly before serving them to your dog.
Unknown chemicals used to grow tomatoes can make your dog sick, so it is best to be cautious.
While ripe tomatoes are generally safe for dogs to eat, the skin is another place that can harbour toxins or unknown chemical products. The risks however, are probably quite low.
Some dogs also suffer from medical conditions, such as acid reflex or other gastrointestinal issues, which can be aggravated by tomatoes.
All things considered, ripe tomatoes that have been washed thoroughly are safe for dogs to eat in moderation. Just remember to keep an eye out for any symptoms that may be a sign tomato poisoning.
What About Allergies to Tomatoes in Dogs?
Like all things, tomatoes can cause an allergic reaction in some dogs. Tomato allergies are rare, however, they can occur.
Ultimately, there is no real way to discern if your dog has an allergy to tomatoes before they eat one.
If you are feeding tomatoes to your dog for the first time, then you should watch out for signs of an allergic reaction. You will generally notice any symptoms within the first hour of your dog ingesting tomatoes, although it can take more or less time. We’ve put together a list of some of the signs you should watch out for. These symptoms may be caused by an allergic reaction to other food items as well. They are as follows:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Rashes on their skin
Gas and strange bowel movements
Itching, scratching and licking in excess
Hot pink or red ear skin
Respiratory issues
As you can see, if your dog is suffering from an allergic reaction to tomatoes, the symptoms are different to if they are suffering from tomato (tomatine) poisoning. You can see those symptoms earlier in this article, or check out the American Kennel Club for more information on tomato poisoning.
If your dog is showing any signs of an allergic reaction or tomatine poising, you should take your dog to the vets immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Cherry Tomatoes and Other Varieties
There are so many different varieties of tomatoes from cherry to beefsteak, and everything in-between. Are any of these different varieties more or less toxic to dogs?
The answer is no, not really. Cherry tomatoes, beefsteak and other varieties are safe for dogs to eat as long as they are nice and ripe. Remember that you may want to feed less of a larger variety of tomato to your dog.
When it comes to the plant of tomatoes, there is no difference as well. All varieties of tomato plant are toxic to dogs!
Can Dogs Eat Tinned or Canned Tomatoes
Cooked or canned tomatoes are perfectly safe for dogs to eat; however, there are a few things to consider. Some of these tomato products can contain added salt or extra ingredients that can be bad for dogs, or upset their stomach. Only ever feed tomatoes that have no extra additives.
Additionally, some cooked or tinned tomatoes can contain green or unripe tomatoes, so watch out for that.
One benefit of cooked or tinned tomatoes is that the lycopene contained in them can be more easily absorbed by the body, which is a major health benefit.
Can Dogs Eat Tomato Sauce or Tomato Soup?
You can feed tomato sauce or soup to dogs, but you need to remember that the additional ingredients added to these products can be bad for your dog. Tomato sauce is generally loaded in salt, which is bad for dogs and the same can be said about tomato soup.
Additionally, be careful about feeding tomato products to your dog where you do not know the source of the tomatoes. They could have a whole load of chemicals on them, or green tomatoes could have been used in the manufacture of the product.
Some other products that may be used in tomato sauce or soup include garlic and onion, which are highly toxic to dogs. Avoid any products with these in them.
We recommend that you just stick to regular tomatoes, or plain cooked ones from a tin.
Help! My Dog Ate a Green Tomato or Plant!
If your dog has ingested a green tomato or the plant, don’t panic. Dogs who have only eaten a small amount will probably be fine, unless they are allergic to tomatoes. Keep an eye on your dog for the next few hours and note down any symptoms they may be showing.
If your dog has ingested a large amount, it is best you contact your vet straight away. Your vet should be able to give you advice on what to do if your take has eaten large amounts and determine whether any further action should be taken.
If it is your first time feeding your dog a ripe, red tomato, you should monitor them over the next couple of hours to make sure they are not showing any signs of an allergic reaction or tomatine poisoning. You should also check their stools for the next day or so, to see for any signs of gastrointestinal issues.
Summing Up Can My Dog Eat Tomatoes
As you have probably figured, there is a bit more to the question than meets the eye. If there is one thing to remember from this article is that, red is okay and green is bad.
For most dogs, tomatoes in moderation is perfectly fine and safe; however, we suggest that you do not build your dog’s diet on them.
As a dog owner, it can be hard knowing what food items are safe and unsafe for dogs to eat. We often think fruit is safe for dogs to eat, but some can be dangerous to your canine companion. Today, we are asking the question “are pears bad for dogs to eat?”
In this article we are going to be looking at the different parts of a pear, and whether they are safe or dangerous for dogs. We are also going to be looking at products that contain pears and see if they are safe for canines to eat.
Once you have finished reading this article, you should have all the information you need to answer the question “can dogs eat pears” and whether you should feed them to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Pears?
In one word, yes, your dog can eat pears, but as with all things there is a bit more to it than that. While pears contain a whole load of nutrients that are great for dogs, the fruit itself may not be ideal for canines.
Pears can produce some unwanted side effects and you need to know the risks of feeding your dog pears. Some parts of a pear are more dangerous than others and you should always exercise moderation when feeding them to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Pear Cores?
We now know that pears are safe for dogs to eat, but what about pear cores. Dogs should not eat pear cores and you should always remove them before giving a pear to your dog. The seeds of a pear can also be dangerous to dogs as they contain cyanide (although a small amount admittedly), which can lead to cyanide poisoning.
Additionally, if your dog swallows a pear core it can lead to a blockage in their intestinal tract. If you believe this has happened, you need to consult with your vet immediately. In most cases, a pear core will pass through without trouble, but an obstruction can happen.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Pears?
Just like most canned fruit, canned pears are not good for dogs to eat. They typically contain way too much sugar, which can lead to tooth decay and weight gain. Canned pears can also contain other added ingredients that may irritate your dog’s digestive system.
Nutritional Value of 178g Pear
Before we go into why pears are both good and bad for dogs, let’s look at the nutritional content of one.
Fiber – 22% DV
Copper – 17% DV
Vitamin C -10% DV
B6 Vitamin – 5% DV
Vitamin K – 9% DV
Magnesium – 3% DV
Potassium – 5% DV
Sugar – 17 grams
Remember the “DV” is the recommended daily value for humans.
Why Pears Can Be Good for Dogs
They Contain Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an incredibly important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for humans, but it’s slightly different for dogs. While humans need to get vitamin C externally, dogs can naturally produce it on their own.
That means that vitamin C is not considered to be an “essential” nutrient for dogs; however, it may be useful for older dogs. This is because some older dogs may not be able to produce vitamin C as efficiently. Supplementing with fruit like pears may give an extra boost to an older dog’s vitamin C levels.
Vitamin C is important because it fights many diseases in dogs and can help to boost their immune system.
Pears Are High in Fibre
Fibre is an extremely important part of a dog’s diet. It can help to improve their heart health, lower cholesterol levels and keep their digestive system in good working order.
If your dog is suffering from diarrhea or constipation, increasing their fibre intake is one option that may help their problem. While increasing fibre is great, giving your dog too much can lead to the opposite effect.
They Can Help Strengthen Your Dog’s Bones
Pears contain a whole lot of vitamin K which is known to increase bone density in both humans and dogs. Higher bone density results in healthier and stronger bones in dogs, which can only be a good thing.
This means that pears are great for active breeds of dogs that put a lot of stress through their bones from running and jumping about. Increasing bone density is also important for older dogs as well, as a dog’s bones will inevitable become weaker as they age.
In addition to increasing bone density, vitamin K is also known to improve many blood functions of a dog’s body.
They Can Make Your Dog Smart
Well, that’s not exactly true, but pears do contain a good amount of vitamin B6. This vitamin is essential for proper brain development and function. Vitamin B6 is also responsible for the secretion of important hormones like norepinephrine and serotonin. These hormones affect your dog’s mood, so make sure you keep your dog loaded with vitamin B6.
They Contain a Good Amount of Antioxidants
Antioxidants can help to protect your dog’s cells from deterioration and fight different forms of cancer (such as colon cancer). They can also aid in preventing problems that come along with gaining in both humans and dogs alike.
Pears Are Great for A Healthy Heart
While pears are not typically known for their potassium content, they do contain a sizeable amount. A single pear contains about five percent of a humans recommend daily intake of potassium, so they should provide more than enough of it for dogs.
So what does potassium actually do? It is an electrolyte mineral that is known to promote regular heart function. This is obviously incredibly important for a healthy heart in both humans and dogs. If potassium levels get too low, it can lead to Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats).
Why Pears Can Be Bad for Dogs
Pears, like all fruit, can be bad for dogs. Overfeeding your dog pears can lead to health complications and side effects. The more pears you feed your dog, the more likely they will develop negative side effects.
Too Many Pears Can Lead to Tooth Decay
One major issue with pears is their sugar content. A single pear contains around 17 grams of sugar, which is similar to other fruit such as oranges, pineapples and blueberries. While this is a significant amount, pears still have less sugar than fruits like mangoes and cherries.
The problem with too much sugar is that it can lead to tooth decay in dogs (and humans of course). While it is recommended that dog owners regularly brush their dog’s teeth, the reality is that many of us don’t. Dental dog food products can also be expensive, so many dog owners do not use them.
Before you feed your dog pears or any fruit for that matter, always consider the sugar content. If you do start feeding your dog pears, watch for any signs of tooth decay and try to regularly clean their teeth.
They Can Lead to Weight Gain
Sugar can not only lead to tooth decay, but it can also cause your dog to gain weight. Too much sugar will pack on the pounds, so it is best to avoid it. Excess weight gain can lead to a number of health complications like diabetes, heart problems and joint issues.
You should always consider your dog’s overall diet before introducing a new food item to them.
Pears Can Cause Diarrhea in Dogs
Like we said earlier, fibre can be beneficial to dogs, however, it can be both a blessing and a curse. Fibre can help your dog’s digestive system, but too much of it can cause changes in their stools, and possibly diarrhea.
A dog’s diet tends to be much higher in protein, with fibre being less important. This is because dogs do not actually need that much fibre to have a healthy digestive system. Giving them too much fibre can overload their system and produce unwanted side effects.
If your dog is suffering from minor constipation, increasing their fibre intact can be beneficial. Dogs who are experiencing severe constipation should be taken to a vet immediately. You can then ask your vet if supplementing fruit into your dog’s diet would be beneficial for their condition.
As we have already stated, moderation is the key here. Instead of giving your dog a whole pear all at once, you should only give them a couple of slices as an occasional treat. Avoid giving your dog pears everyday as this can lead to the problems we listed above.
The main basis of your dog’s diet should be quality dog food, not fruit. Fruit and other food items should only make up around 5% of your dog’s daily food intake.
How Can Dogs Eat Pears?
The first thing you should always do is was the pear as thoroughly as possible. Pear skin can contain a range of different bacteria, and pears are usually sprayed with a whole host of different chemicals. While pesticides and chemicals sprayed onto pears are not likely to cause trouble, it is better to be safe than sorry.
For the next step remove the core, stem and seeds of the pear. As we have already stated, these parts of a pear should not be fed to dogs because of a number of risks.
The skin of a pear is perfectly fine for dogs to eat, so feel free to leave it on. Pear skin contains a lot of nutrients, which can be beneficial to dogs.
As we wrote above, only give your dog a couple of small slices as a treat. Don’t give them the whole pear, especially if it is your first time feeding it to them. Over the next 24 to 48 hours, monitor your dog’s stools for any changes.
Additionally, monitor your dog to see if they are showing any signs of side effects or an allergic reaction. While it is unlikely that your dog will be allergic to pears it can happen. If your dog is acting happy and they experience no problems, feel free to occasionally feed them pears.
Kiwi fruit are one of life’s superfoods. They have a whole host of benefits for humans, but what about dogs?
Unlike humans, dogs do not need fruit in their diets and their nutritional requirements should be met by their dog food. Still, many people want to know what they can feed their dog whether it is kiwi fruit, chocolate or any number of other food items.
In short, kiwi fruit can be eaten by dogs, however, as with all things there is a bit more to it than that.
Facts About Kiwi fruit
Kiwi fruit or Chinese gooseberry is the edible berry of several species of woody vines in the Actinidia family. They are about the size of a large hen’s egg and have a fibrous, brown-greenish skin. The flesh is bright green or gold with tiny, black, edible seeds.
In 1962, New Zealand based growers began calling the fruit “Kiwi fruit” for marketing purposes. By 1976, the name was widely recognised and New Zealand was exporting more kiwi fruit than were being eaten by the people in the entire country.
Can I Feed My Dog Kiwi fruit?
Human food should really only be used as occasional treats for dogs. If your dog does happen to taste this sweet fruit, you should not be worried. Kiwi fruit should not cause your dog any harm, however, don’t go feeding your dog a whole lot of them.
What Are Some of the Benefits of Kiwi fruit for Dogs?
Like we wrote earlier, dogs do not need fruit and their main nutrients should come from their regular food. While dogs won’t benefit from eating a kiwi fruit the same way you and I would, there are a few health benefits they can provide.
Kiwi fruit have a tough, outer skin, which in conjunction with the delicious flesh contains a whole load of insoluble fibre. This helps stimulate the intestines and makes it easier for food to pass through more quickly. However, too much fibre can upset a dog’s stomach and lead to an episode of the runs.
While kiwi fruit are high in Vitamin C, the benefits of this for dogs is little. A dog’s body works completely differently to a human’s, so they do not have the same vitamin C requirements we have.
The main benefit of feeding your dog kiwi fruit is that they will love it as a tasty snack. Most of your dog’s nutrition should come from their regular dog food, but don’t let that stop you feeding them the occasional piece of a kiwi fruit.
How Should I Give Kiwi Fruit to My Dog?
Before you go feeding your dog a kiwi fruit (or any fruit for that matter) always make sure you wash them thoroughly. You should also remove the skin as dog’s cannot properly digest it. Kiwi fruit skin that becomes stuck in your dog’s digestive system can cause gastrointestinal issues and can even become a blockage risk. Additionally, the skin provides almost no nutritional benefits to dogs, so there really isn’t any reason you should be feeding them it.
Kiwi fruit are best served in smaller pieces to dogs. A whole kiwi fruit is too large and your dog may even try to gulp the whole thing in one go, which poses a choking risk.
An entire kiwi fruit also has too much sugar for a dog, so make sure you only feed them a couple of small pieces. Keep it for when you want to treat them.
Can I Feed My Dog Dried Kiwi Fruit?
We recommend that you only give your dog fresh, skinless kiwi fruit. Dried kiwi fruit often has added sugar, which is bad for you dog and can cause tooth decay and weight gain.
Summing Up Kiwi Fruit for Dogs
Kiwi fruit are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, however, there is really no nutritional benefit in giving them one. Don’t make kiwi fruit a regular part of your dog’s diet, save them for the occasional treat only. Remember to always remove the skin and only give your dog a few small pieces.
