Dogs are known for being very opportunistic when it comes to sniffing out tasty treats, tiny puppies.
While you’ll understandably be wanting to make your new canine addition feel at home by sharing food with them occasionally, not all of the yummy treats that you enjoy are healthy or safe for your new puppy.
In this article, we’ll be looking at those foods that you should avoid when it comes to snacking with your special puppy, as well as suggesting foods that you both can enjoy.
Foods you Should Never Feed your Small Puppy
As a proud new owner of a small puppy, you’re no doubt looking for ways to make your home as puppy-proof as possible.
While you can fill your home with helpful puppy ramps and equipment from manufacturers like Chasing Tails to make the human world more manageable for your new tiny friend, you can also set the little buddy up for success by clearing the following foods out of your cupboards and fridge.
1. Chocolate
As much as it’s beloved by humans, chocolate is very toxic for puppies and dogs and should never be fed to them.
Dark, milk and white chocolate all contain methylxanthines, which can interfere with and even stop your puppy’s crucial metabolic process.
Even a tiny amount of chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, while large amounts can be fatal.
If you’re a chocolate lover, make sure to store yours out of your small pup’s reach.
2. Xylitol
An artificial sweetener found in everything from sugar-free gum to toothpaste, cough drops, and even chewable vitamins, Xylitol is a hazardous substance for dogs.
When ingested by dogs, it can produce a fatal drop in blood sugar levels, liver damage, or seizures.
According to veterinarian research, even a single piece of sugar-free gum will cause serious side effects in a 10-pound dog, while large amounts can lead to liver failure.
3. Garlic, Onions, Chives, and Leeks
These four vegetables are all members of the Allium family, and while they offer plenty of nutritional benefits to humans, they too can be very toxic to puppies and dogs.
In particular, Garlic can cause pale gums, weakness, elevated heart rate, and anemia in canines, all of which could be devastating to a growing pup.
Meanwhile, onions, chives, and leeks can also generate a strong allergic reaction.
Dogs can also experience delayed symptoms after ingesting these plants, so if you think your pup has eaten some, it’s best to monitor them for a few days afterward.
4. Avocado
Often hailed as a super-food for health-conscious diets, avocado is another plant that can be toxic to dogs.
Avocados contain Persin, found in the fruit’s flesh and its leaves and seeds, which can have unpleasant side effects, including vomiting and diarrhea.
5. Macadamia Nuts
While there are some nuts that you can enjoy with your small puppy, macadamia nuts are not one of them.
Like chocolate, macadamia nuts are very toxic to dogs.
Belonging to the Proteaceae family, macadamia nuts can affect a dog’s nervous system, producing side effects including vomiting, fever, lethargy, swollen limbs, and excessive panting.
6. Cinnamon
While it’s not toxic to dogs in the way that the other foods on this list are, cinnamon is nevertheless best avoided as a dog treat.
The oils within the spice can cause gum and mouth irritation, which is particularly unpleasant for small puppies, while the more severe side-effects include vomiting, diarrhea, and arrhythmia.
Foods to Enjoy with your Small Puppy
Generally speaking, it’s best to feed your new puppy with treats specially designed for them, but there are some human foods that the two of you can enjoy together – in very small doses!
7. Honey
Delicious and healthy – honey contains micronutrients like Vitamin A, B, C, D, and K, magnesium, copper, and calcium – feeding a tiny amount of honey now and again to your puppy can actually help boost their immune system.
Honey also has unique antioxidant properties, so it can be used as a topical treatment for any minor injures like superficial cuts or light burns – just remember to cover it with a bandage to prevent your pup from licking it off.
8. Peanuts and Peanut Butter
Unlike macadamia nuts, peanuts and peanut butter are both safe for puppies and dogs to eat.
Packed with good fats like Vitamins B and E and essential amino acids, a small portion of unsalted peanuts or peanut butter can be beneficial to your pup’s overall health.
What to do in an Emergency
Under no circumstances should you feed the dangerous foods listed at the beginning of the article to your puppy, or any dog of any age, for that matter.
If you notice that your puppy has managed to get its paws on any of them, contact your local veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline immediately for advice on what to do.