Certain foods, while safe for humans, can be extremely harmful to your Bernese Mountain Dog. It's crucial to know what to avoid to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. Here’s a detailed guide on what your Bernese Mountain Dog should never eat.

Chocolate: A Dangerous Treat

Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and in severe cases, death. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous due to their higher theobromine content.

Onions and Garlic: Toxic to Red Blood Cells

Onions, garlic, shallots, and chives contain thiosulphate, which damages a dog’s red blood cells and leads to hemolytic anemia. Even small amounts can cause serious health issues, including bloody urine. Avoid feeding your dog any foods that contain these ingredients, such as burgers, curries, and soups.

Bones: Potential for Injury

While it may seem natural to give a dog bones, they can be dangerous. Large bones can splinter and cause internal damage, such as perforations in the esophagus or stomach, and lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. If you choose to give bones, they must be cooked until very soft in a pressure cooker. Bone marrow is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and copper, and chewing on large bones can help with dental hygiene.

Raw Eggs and Raw Meat: Risk of Illness

Raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that depletes biotin (vitamin H) in dogs. This can lead to coat discoloration. Raw eggs and raw meat can also contain harmful bacteria and parasites, which can cause severe diarrhea and other health problems.

Milk: Lactose Intolerance

Cow’s milk is different from dog’s milk, and many dogs are lactose intolerant. Feeding your Bernese Mountain Dog cow’s milk can cause diarrhea. However, if your dog seems to tolerate it well and enjoys it, a small amount may not cause harm. Monitor your dog closely for any adverse reactions.

Grapes and Raisins: Kidney Failure

Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and can cause poisoning, leading to acute kidney failure. They contain high levels of glucose and fructose, and dogs are highly sensitive to these sugars, which can cause severe reactions. It's crucial to keep these fruits away from your dog.

Spicy and Irritating Foods

Avoid feeding your dog spicy foods like chili, as well as ingredients like onions, ginger, and garlic, as these can cause allergies. Seafood should also be avoided due to its high histamine content, which can trigger allergic reactions.

Animal Liver: Risk of Vitamin A Toxicity

While liver can be a good source of nutrients in moderation, excessive consumption can lead to Vitamin A toxicity and calcium deficiency. Feeding more than a few pieces of chicken liver (or an equivalent amount of other animal liver) per week can cause bone problems.

Foods High in Salt and Sugar: Unhealthy for Dogs

Foods with high salt content, such as those from human meals, are extremely salty for dogs and can overburden their kidneys. Excessive salt intake can also disrupt fluid balance and cause skin issues. Similarly, high sugar intake can lead to obesity and diabetes in dogs.

Mushrooms: Risk of Poisoning

While commercially sold mushrooms are generally safe for dogs, it’s still best to avoid feeding them to prevent your dog from developing a taste for them. This minimizes the risk of your dog consuming toxic mushrooms while out in nature.You might also like:Pet Breeding