I got my first qualification in 2004, and I have to say the hardest battle is getting people to understand moderation. In most cases they never get it. What owners do to their dog feels fine to them, right up until it is not. A trip to the vet, ending in tears, is often the reward of that neglect. Biology works like that. Right up until that moment, they puff their chest out and tell everyone how brilliantly their beloved dog is doing. They judge it by coat shine or tail wags, as if they have X-ray vision and can see inside the organs. They cannot.
It is the hardest part of being a canine nutritionist.
Then comes the second battle. It is the one against those who feed foods that biology, vets, and anyone qualified in the field all agree should never be fed. I have seen people in comment sections, what I call "internet Karens," who usually post nonsense all day, actually telling someone off because their dog just had its second Mars bar or a doughnut. And the scary thing? The Karen is right. Imagine that. You got told off by a Karen, and the Karen is correct. That is an entirely new level of stupid.
❌ Common Foods That Harm Dogs
Alcohol: Even small amounts can poison a dog. Their bodies cannot process alcohol the way humans can. It is toxic. It is deadly.
Avocado: The outer peel causes vomiting and sickness. It is not worth the risk.
Chocolate and Caffeine: Contains theobromine and other methylxanthines. A dog’s body reabsorbs these chemicals multiple times over 36 hours. Each cycle does more harm. The human body clears it in 4 to 6 hours. Dogs take eight times longer. Lethal doses of milk chocolate start at 56g per kg of bodyweight. That is just a bar or two for a small dog.
Dairy Products: Dogs are mostly lactose intolerant. Dairy causes bloating, sickness, and digestion issues. It is a strain their bodies do not need.
Excess Fat: Fat from meat trimmings or greasy leftovers can trigger pancreatitis. That is not a small issue. It is agony for the dog and often fatal.
Grapes, Raisins, Currants: Even a few can shut down the kidneys. Christmas puddings and mince pies are dangerous. Grapes are a chemical bullet with no antidote.
Macadamia Nuts: The toxin is still unknown, but the effect is clear. Vomiting, weakness, and collapse follow quickly.
Onions and Garlic: Onions destroy red blood cells due to sulphides. Garlic might be safe in tiny amounts, but the risks often outweigh the benefits. Use garlic only if you really know what you are doing.
Raw Eggs: Contain avidin, which blocks absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). Leads to coat problems, skin issues, and neurological decline if fed regularly.
Yeast and Dough: Expands in the stomach. That expansion can be fatal.
Xylitol: Found in sugar-free gum, mints, toothpaste, and low-calorie snacks. It triggers a sugar crash, liver failure, and often death.
🧠 The Final Warning
If you feed your dog something you know is harmful, you are gambling with biology. And biology always wins. It might not be today. It might not be tomorrow. But one day the consequences arrive.
And if you ever find yourself being told off by someone who usually posts nonsense, and they are right, then that should be the wake-up call you never forget.
This is the battle western dogs now face. They are battling stupidity and blind love. Dogs are overfed like their organs are industrial factories desperate for more, when in truth they are anything but. Then comes the stupidity, and I promise you, it is out there in full force. And your dog’s delicate organs are left to process not just the excess, but sometimes what is biologically poison to them.
Imagine eating eight Sunday dinners, eight puddings, snacks, a full English breakfast, and sugary drinks all in one day. Now imagine doing that every single day, and being asked to go for two runs. Imagine also being made to consume antifreeze, washing up liquid, or cough syrup in small amounts. How would you feel?
Well, that is how many dogs are fed. The only saving grace is that dogs have a tougher and kinder personality than most people ever will.
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