One of the most popular online searches regarding pets is the question “Can my dog eat BLANK?” The reason this query is so popular is because, for better or worse, many dogs will eat anything they can get their mouth around, especially human foods. Often, pet owners are asking the question after said item has been eaten, and they are looking for quick answers about whether they need to make a sudden trip to the veterinarian. (NOTE: If you ever have serious questions about something your pet has eaten, even the most benign human foods, call your vet immediately!)
To pre-emptively answer some of these questions, Taste of the Wild has created an ongoing and ever-growing guide that answers the question, “Can my dog eat that?” We will be limiting our questions and answers to food items, so if your dog has eaten an entire couch cushion…call your vet. Bookmark this page because it will keep growing. There’s no end to the list of human foods dogs have tried to eat, and no end to the trouble caused to the dog’s digestive system!
CAN MY DOG EAT GRAPES?
Your dog should never, ever, eat grapes. They can be toxic to dogs, potentially leading to acute kidney failure and even death. And, they’re an obvious choking hazard. And that goes for all grapes: red, green, seeded or seedless, organic or grown conventionally. It also includes raisins and foods that include raisins. Until recently, no one knew why, exactly, dogs and grapes shouldn’t mix. But veterinarians at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center discovered that tartaric acid might be the culprit.
READ MORE ABOUT DOGS AND GRAPES
CAN MY DOG EAT SWEET POTATOES?
Humans seem to either love or hate sweet potatoes. Dogs, however, might not be so ambivalent. The good news is that your dog can not only eat these non-potato potatoes, they gain benefits if they do so. Sweet potatoes can provide energy, support gut health, maintain healthy eyes and support the digestive system. They’re better than safe for dogs; they’re good for them!
READ MORE ABOUT WHY SWEET POTATOES ARE SAFE FOR DOGS
Some dogs are picky and aren’t too awfully interested in anything but dog food, at least in its nonprocessed form. Other dogs will literally eat anything. This ongoing feature will continually add sections and links that detail why or why not your dog should eat certain foods. We’ll cover why they should avoid seemingly innocent foods (like grapes!) because they’ll make a dog sick, but we’ll also explain why some not-so-obvious foods, like blueberries, end up as important ingredients in many dog foods. No matter what, always remember that your dog’s stomach can be just as sensitive, if not moreso, than a human’s, so if your dog eats something questionable, call your veterinarian immediately. Your dog’s health matters, so we want to make sure that you offer quality food and a healthy snack.
Stay tuned!
The information in this blog has been developed with our veterinarian and is designed to help educate pet parents. If you have questions or concerns about your pet's health or nutrition, please talk with your veterinarian.