Avoid feeding your dog these fruits and vegetables

We’re all guilty of spoiling our dogs with a human snack every now and again, but some foods are best kept away from our canine companions. To help keep Fido fit and healthy, avoid these fruits and vegetables that are toxic to pets:
 
1. Grapes, raisins and currants: We may enjoy a healthy handful of grapes, but for our canine companions, this snack can be fatal even in small doses. Although experts don’t know why, grapes, raisins and any foods containing the two can cause severe kidney damage. Pet owners who are familiar with the dangers grapes may be surprised to learn that currants carry the same, life-threatening level of renal toxicity, too.
 
2. Cherries: While the flesh itself is safe for Fido to eat, cherry stems and pits are toxic to dogs. That’s no surprise, give that they contain cyanide, a deadly poison that deprives the body of oxygen and can lead to respiratory failure and even death.
 
3. Onions and garlic: Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate, which can cause damage to your dog’s red blood cells. Some experts say that garlic is even more toxic than onions, so avoid this pungent food, too.
 
4. Mushrooms: Only some species of mushroom are poisonous to humans, and the same goes for our pets. While some mushrooms are safe to feed Fido, you need to be 100 percent positive about what you’re feeding him, since other mushrooms can cause tremors, seizures, organ failure and even death.
 
5. Apricots: Like cherries, apricots contain toxic seeds and stems. While dogs can safely snack on the fruit’s flesh, the cyanide in the pits can cause respiratory failure and death in large enough doses, so be sure to peel Fido’s sweet treat before handing it over. 6. Raw or undercooked potatoes: Raw, green and unripe potatoes are toxic to dogs. If Fido scarfs down a bad batch, look out for nausea and vomiting, seizures and heart irregularities as they can contain solanine, a defensive poison found in the plant’s stems, leaves and skin that can damage your pet’s nervous system.
 
7. Rhubarb: A seemingly innocent ingredient in a classic pie, rhubarb contains xalate crystals in its leaves and stems that can deplete dogs’ calcium levels. In large enough doses, this can kidney failure and other symptoms such as drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, tremors and bloody urine.
 
8. Apple seeds: Like other fruits, apple seeds contain cyanide. While Fido may have to eat quite a few to suffer any ill effects, it has been known to happen and is best to dispose of the core before feeding your dog any apple snacks.
 
 
If you know what your dog has eaten and he is displaying symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness or other ill effects, call your veterinarian immediately. You can also contact a Pet Poison Helpline after hours to find out the level of risk your dog is facing after eating something he shouldn’t have.