Our German Shepherds are very adorable and, most times food driven. This may leave you wanting to feed them whatever they want, especially when they give you that sweet and helpless look. Though feeding them whatever they want is with the best intentions, you will be causing more harm than good to your dog. Why? Because not all foods and supplements are good for your German Shepherd. Some food sources may cause little harm, while others cause more harm.
If you are interested in knowing some of the great ingredients to include in your dog food to improve the overall health of your German Shepherd, click the link. In this post, though, we will look at some of the worst foods for your German Shepherds, which we suggest you completely avoid. Here is a list of ten of them.
Here is a list of ten horrible foods your German Shepherds should avoid to live a healthy and fulfilled life.
- Raw meat.
- Spicy stew.
- Boney fish.
- Bone.
- Chocolate.
- Rotten food.
- Raw eggs.
- Peanut butter.
- Avocado.
- Onions and Garlic.
Well, as you were reading this list, did you identify food in this list that you have been guilty of feeding your dog? This could be either as a main meal or as an additional supplement. Well, whatever the case may be, you must avoid feeding your German Shepherds these foods. Why? Because of the properties that make up these foods. This post will cover why we suggest not feeding your dogs any above foods.
Topic Categories
MEAT
1. RAW MEAT.
Feeding a dog (German Shepherd) raw meat is a controversial topic and opinions vary among veterinarians and dog owners. Some proponents of raw meat diets claim that it provides dogs with a more natural and nutrient-rich diet, while others argue that raw meat diets can be unsafe and nutritionally incomplete.
Raw meat may contain harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, that can cause illness in dogs and pose a risk to human health. Additionally, raw meat diets may not provide all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that a dog needs to maintain good health. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which can cause a variety of health problems over time.
It is for these reasons that we highly recommend strictly feeding your dog commercially prepared dog food which has been produced with the best and most nutritious contents to help promote a healthy, balanced dog.
2. SPICY STEW.
Feeding your dog stew, like meat stew or chicken stock is cool, but when the stew becomes spicy, there is a problem. German Shepherds have probably one of the most sensitive stomachs of the dog family. And so feeding them spicy stew could cause irritations to their stomach, vomiting, and even diarrhoea. In some cases, the effect of spicy stew could come much later in your dog’s life. For these reasons, we recommend not feeding your dog spicy stew at all.
3. BONEY FISH.
When fish is well prepared it is a delicious meal for dogs. But when choosing the type of fish to prepare, it will be best to ensure that whatever fish you choose is not boney. It will be best to avoid fishes with tiny bones which can not be picked out. We have seen cases when dogs get sent to the ICU because of a tiny bone getting stuck in their throat.
4. BONE.
Just like boney fish, a bone from meat or chicken is very harmful to German Shepherd dogs. Especially if the bone is very strong and small enough for your dog to swallow whole. Why? Well, because most dogs are very impatient eaters, including German Shepherds.
So when they work hard to break such a bone and fail too, they often end up trying to swallow it. And if your dog does try to do this, it could lead to your dog choking because of a bone stuck in the throat.
The only air of relief is that 98% of the time your German Shepherd will be most likely able to remove whatever bone is stuck in its throat without having to go to the ICU. But just to be on the safe side we recommend you completely avoid feeding your dog bone.
5. CHOCOLATE.
Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Theobromine can cause a range of health problems in German Shepherd dogs, including vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, and even death.
The toxicity of chocolate depends on the type and amount of chocolate ingested, as well as the size and weight of the dog. Dark chocolate and baked chocolate contain higher levels of theobromine than milk chocolate, making them more dangerous to dogs.
Therefore, it’s crucial to keep all forms of chocolate out of reach of your dog and to seek immediate veterinary attention if you suspect your dog has ingested chocolate.
If you do decide to feed your dog food having chocolate content, ensure it is of little quantity, and once in a while. This will help ensure your dog doesn’t suffer any complications that come from consuming it in large quantities.
6. ROTTEN FOOD.
Feeding rotten food to dogs can have severe consequences on their health. Rotten food can contain harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause severe digestive problems, including vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. In severe cases, it can lead to a condition called gastroenteritis, which can be life-threatening for dogs.
Moreover, rotten food can also lead to food poisoning, which can cause symptoms such as fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. It can also cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and other vital organs, leading to long-term health problems.
Furthermore, some foods, such as mouldy bread, can contain toxins that can cause neurological problems, seizures, and even death in dogs. Feeding your dog rotten food can also create bad habits and encourage them to scavenge for food, leading to a range of behavioural issues.
Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that your dog’s food is fresh and free of any spoilage. Feeding your dog a balanced and nutritious diet will help ensure their long-term health and well-being. If you suspect that your dog has consumed rotten food, it’s crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately.
So to prevent feeding your dog rotten food, ensure to stick to a dry food diet. And if you must feed your dog cooked food, ensure you cook only what your dog can finish so that there are no leftovers.
7. RAW EGGS
Feeding a German Shepherd raw egg can be harmful to its health. Raw eggs may contain salmonella, a harmful bacteria that can cause severe digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration in dogs.
In addition, feeding a dog raw eggs can interfere with their biotin absorption, which can lead to skin and coat problems, as well as poor growth in puppies. Raw egg whites contain avidin, which can bind to biotin and prevent its absorption in the body.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog raw eggs and instead opt for cooked eggs, which are safe and nutritious for dogs.
8. PEANUT BUTTER
It is not inherently wrong to feed your German Shepherd dog peanut butter, but it’s essential to do so in moderation and with caution. While peanut butter is a safe and healthy treat for dogs, some brands may contain added sugars, salt, or xylitol, which can be harmful to your dog’s health.
Xylitol is a sweetener used in some peanut butter brands, and it’s highly toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. It can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia, seizures, liver damage, and even death.
Moreover, some dogs may have peanut allergies, which can cause an allergic reaction, including itching, swelling, and breathing difficulties.
Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a high-quality, unsweetened peanut butter brand and feed it to your dog in moderation, as part of a balanced and healthy diet. It’s always best to consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new food to your dog’s diet. Some of the best peanut butter brands include.
- Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter
- Teddie Natural Peanut Butter
- Crazy Richard’s Natural Peanut Butter
- Once Again Organic Peanut Butter
- Adams 100% Natural Peanut Butter
It’s always a good idea to read the label and check the ingredients before giving any peanut butter to your dog. Remember to feed peanut butter to your dog in moderation, as it is high in fat and calories, and can contribute to weight gain if overfed.
FRUITS/VEGETABLES
1. AVOCADO
Feeding your dog avocado is not recommended as it can cause digestive issues and other health problems. Avocado contains a substance called persin, which is toxic to dogs in large amounts. Persin can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and other digestive problems, including pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening for dogs.
Moreover, avocado is high in fat, which can lead to weight gain and other health issues such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Additionally, the pit and skin of the avocado can cause a choking hazard or gastrointestinal blockage, which can be dangerous and require surgery to remove.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog avocado and stick to a balanced and healthy diet, specifically designed for their nutritional needs. If you suspect that your dog has consumed avocado or any other toxic substance, it’s crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately.
Some cool alternatives to avocado include…
- Blue Berry
- Carrot
- Pumpkin
- Sweet potato
- Green beans.
These alternatives are very rich in vitamins and all the healthy nutrients needed for your dog to thrive. So we recommend feeding your dogs these instead.
2. ONIONS AND GARLIC
It’s not recommended to feed German Shepherds onions and garlic as they contain compounds called thiosulphates, which are toxic to dogs. Thiosulphates can damage a dog’s red blood cells, leading to a condition called hemolytic anaemia, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
The toxicity of onions and garlic can vary depending on the form and amount consumed. Raw onions and garlic are more toxic than cooked, and small amounts can cause health issues in some dogs.
Symptoms of onion and garlic toxicity in dogs may include vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, pale gums, and rapid breathing. In severe cases, it can lead to collapse, seizures, and even death.
Therefore, it’s essential to avoid feeding your dog onions and garlic in any form, including powdered or cooked, and to check the ingredients of any food you give them to ensure they do not contain these harmful substances. If you suspect that your dog has consumed onions or garlic, it’s crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this post was very helpful in identifying foods you should avoid giving your German Shepherds. It is important to note though that though your German Shepherd can’t eat the foods listed above, there still are a lot more foods they could eat. check out our post on the 10 amazing foods and fruits for German Shepherds.
