Top Ten Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog at Your Fourth of July Picnic

Dr Amy Cousino's Top Ten List of Foods that should not be fed to your dog at the Fourth of July Picnic.

1. CHOCOLATE: cakes, cookies, chocolate chips, s'mores, chocolate bars, chocolate mousse (fancy picnics).

All chocolate contains toxic theobromine, which if consumed by a dog in a large enough quantity will cause neurologic symptoms such as
seizures. And a trip to an expensive Veterinary Emergency Room.

2. POP (SODAS): Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, or any pop that contains caffeine.

Caffeine is toxic to dogs.

3. HOT DOGS/SAUSAGES: Hey, dogs really like hot dogs and sausages, but do not feed them. These foods contain preservatives,

garlic (all forms of garlic are toxic to dogs), and onions (all types of onions in the onion family are toxic to dogs).

4. TACOS: taco meat fillings contain chili, which is toxic to dogs. And they also are flavored with garlic and onions, which are toxic to dogs.

5. CORN ON THE COB: all kinds of corn are indigestible to dogs. Corn provokes diarrhea in dogs. Cobs are often eaten by dogs and

cause intestinal obstruction (and a visit to your Veterinary Surgeon at the Veterinary Emergency Hospital ).

6. POTATO SALAD: contains onions (toxic to dogs).

7. BAKED BEANS: baked beans contain lots of seasonings that are toxic such as onions, or that provoke illnesses such as diarrhea such

as hot sauce, chili sauce, or cayenne pepper (toxic to dogs).

8. BEER/WINE/LIQUOR: alcoholic beverages of all kinds contain alcohol, which is toxic to dogs. Again, if your dog drinks enough beer, you will be taking

a trip to the Veterinary Emergency Room.

9. BROCCOLI: broccoli is toxic to dogs. Broccoli is often found in salads at picnics.

10. POTATO CHIPS/DORITOS/TACO CHIPS: have iodized salt, onion, garlic, chili flavorings that are toxic to dogs. Also see # 5 as corn found in chips is

indigestible.

Have a great Fourth of July Picnic! Keep your dog healthy!