Tips for Protecting Your Dog from Toxic Ingredients

All dogs love food -- even food that is not good for them. Many a dog owner can recount a story or two about their mischievous canine getting into a roast, a cake or evenfruit that has been left on the kitchen counter. While this act in itself is benign, the potential for your pet to become seriously ill from eating something that is dangerous to his or her system is more prevalent than you think. But, how do you know what ingredients are toxic to your dog? Protecting your dog is important, learn the list so you can do this.

Memorize the List

Food that is good for humans can have the opposite effect on dogs, as the following list demonstrates:

• Chocolate
• Grapes
• Coffee
• Garlic
• Raisins
• Avocados

Although not exhaustive, this list includes the six most-common toxic ingredients for canines. Depending on the size of your dog and the amount that he or she ingests, serious illness or even death can ensue as a result. Therefore, it is imperative to commit this list to memory -- and perhaps even post it on your refrigerator -- as a reminder to be vigilant about keeping foods with these ingredients out of reach of your pet.

Protecting Your Dog Takes Safety Measures

In addition to recognizing ingredients that are toxic to dogs, other practical ways to protect your pet from harmful ingredients include the following:

• Install a security gate, similar to a child safety gate, to your kitchen.
• Never store food on the counter or leave food out unattended.
• Keep toxic ingredients in sealed containers and on the top shelf of your cupboard.

While these actions may appear to be overkill, you can never be too cautious when it comes to your pet’s well-being. In addition, some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and Labradors, are notorious for their unbridled instinctive determination when it comes to hunting down food. These measures will help ensure both peace of mind for you,and a healthy and happy dog for years to come.