7 foods to never feed your Beagle
Cocoa is relieved that ‘nomnom chicken’, however dubious the name, isn’t on this list.
It is no secret that Beagles have very healthy appetites, and will enjoy tucking into a wide range of different foods! However, some foods should never be fed to your Beagle, as they come with some serious health risks. Foods to avoid feeding to a Beagle include chocolate, cooked bones, grapes, onions, and anything sweetened with Xylitol.
To help keep our beautiful Beagles fit and healthy, let's take an in-depth look at the most dangerous foods to give to a dog!
Below is a list of some commonly found and often surprising foods that are dangerous for Beagles to eat. All of these can cause serious health problems and should never be given to a dog, no matter how much your beloved Beagle begs to have a nibble.
DISCLAIMER ALERT! Please note that this is not an exclusive list of foods that are potentially toxic to Beagles. We've aimed to highlight commonplace foods that pose the highest risk, but many other foodstuffs can also cause health problems in dogs. If you're not 100% sure whether something is safe for dogs to eat, it is best to err on the side of caution and swap to safer treats instead.
1) Chocolate
I'm sure your Beagle will tell you that chocolate is the most delicious thing on earth, but this sweet treat should never be fed to dogs. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine which is toxic to dogs, causing kidney dysfunction and heart failure. Chocolate toxicity often requires medical treatment, so contact your veterinary clinic straight away if you have any concerns.
You will meet people who tell you that their dog ate chocolate without any problems, but why is this? Chocolate toxicity is directly proportional to the strength of the chocolate and the size of the dog. A tiny Yorkshire terrier that ate a large bar of dark chocolate is much more likely to become seriously ill than a Great Dane that snaffled a bite-size piece of milk chocolate.
I’m sorry to say that I have first-hand experience of just how toxic chocolate can be to Beagles.
Cocoa was once staying with friends while my husband and I were away. They left her in the car for 5 minutes to do some shopping (it was winter, so no problem with them doing this), and Cocoa jumped over the back seats of the car to investigate a shopping bag with some wrapped chocolates in. Being the food-loving dog she is, she quickly ate 12 or so chocolates.
Luckily, our friends knew how serious this was, and they counted the exact number of chocolates Cocoa had eaten They worked out which ones were white chocolate (thankfully most of them), which ones were milk chocolate. Thankfully none of them were dark chocolate, or the outcome could have been much worse!
We consulted Poison Control and spoke to Cocoa’s vet. The conclusion was that the dose of theobromine was not high enough to be fatal, but we had to just let the chocolate work its way through her system. Poor Cocoa was poorly for 48 hours with vomiting and diarrhea, then continued to be lethargic and just not herself for three or four days afterwards.
All in all, the experience was pretty awful for all of us, and has made us doubly aware of how careful we have to be around chocolate. If we have chocolate in the house, it goes in closed drawers or locked cupboards well out of the reach of our sweet-toothed Beagle.
2) Cooked bones
Feeding bones to dogs is a controversial topic in itself, but one area that most people agree on is that cooked bones should never be given to dogs. When cooked, the structure of bones changes, causing them to splinter into shards rather than crumble. These sharp pieces of bone can damage or even pierce your Beagle's mouth, throat, and intestinal tract, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences. The worst culprit of all is cooked chicken bones, but any type of cooked bone is best avoided.
If your Beagle is anything like mine, they will have an amazing sixth sense for finding cooked chicken bones when we are out on our walks in our local neighborhood.
We have to be so vigilant, because Cocoa will seek them out with her amazing Beagle radar, and grab them if she can. I frequently have to extract pieces of crunched-up bone from her mouth, which is, honestly, disgusting, as my hands end up covered with Beagle slobber and half-eaten food. And my fingers have been accidentally chomped down upon a few times too. But it’s better than letting Cocoa eat the chicken bones.
3) Xylitol sweetener (commonly found in peanut butter and chewing gum)
Peanut butter is a delicious treat for Beagles, but these days we have to be super careful about which type we buy. The reason for this is a sweetener called xylitol, used to reduce the amount of sugar in human foods.
In dogs, xylitol is metabolized quickly, stimulating a sudden release of insulin by the pancreas. This overproduction of insulin causes blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low. Emergency treatment is required to stabilize blood glucose levels, and if left untreated xylitol poisoning can quickly lead to seizures, collapse, and death.
Xylitol is not only found in some nut butters but is also commonly added to chewing gum and other sugar-free or low-sugar treats. It is also used in mouthwash, toothpaste, over-the-counter medicines, and sugar-free desserts.
4) Grapes, raisins, and sultanas
The phenomenon of grape poisoning in dogs is very unusual - scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact reason why these juicy fruits are toxic to dogs, although researchers have uncovered some clues in recent years. Not all dogs are adversely affected by grapes, but those that are will develop kidney failure after eating just a small quantity.
Raisins and sultanas are the dried form of grapes, so should also never be fed to dogs. So, if your Beagle adores a nibble of fruit cake or a bite of your cereal bar, make sure to check it is free from raisins first.
5) Onions (and other alliums)
Alliums - onion, garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives - are widely used ingredients in human cooking that make our food taste great. But although I'd be lost without them in the kitchen, I take care to make sure that Cocoa never eats any food containing vegetables from the onion family.
The reason for this is that alliums contain a toxin called N-propyl disulfide. This toxin can lead to anemia in dogs as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells. Onion toxicity can be fatal, and prompt veterinary treatment is required to maximize the chances of a full recovery.
It is important to note that onion and garlic powder are even more toxic than their fresh counterparts, and are often hidden in pre-prepared ready meals and freezer dinners.
6) Coffee
Coffee has the same effect on dogs as it does on humans, but they are far more sensitive to the stimulant effects of caffeine. A dog that has consumed caffeine will be hyperactive and have an increased heart rate, and this can lead to raised blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias.
Caffeine is also found in some teas, sodas, energy and sports drinks, and over-the-counter medications. Many diet pills also contain caffeine, and just one of these is enough to cause a fatal reaction in a small dog.
7) Macadamia nuts
Most nuts are safe for dogs to eat in moderation, but macadamia nuts are the exception. As with grapes, the exact reason why macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs is as yet unknown, but even a small amount can cause severe side effects. Trail mixes and cereal bars often contain macadamia nuts, as well as baked goods such as cookies and muffins.
8) Other foods that are toxic to your Beagle
As well as the highly toxic foods listed above, there are some other dangerous delicacies lurking in your food cupboard and refrigerator. According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center, all of the following foodstuffs can be toxic to Beagles:
Alcohol
Avocado
Baked goods (as they often contain xylitol)
Caffeine
Citrus fruits
Coconut and coconut oil
Coffee
Milk and dairy products
Nuts, including almonds, pecans, and walnuts
Peaches, plums and other stoned fruits, like apricots
Raw eggs, meat, and bones
Salt and salted foods
Yeast dough
But, like I said before, this isn’t an exhaustive list. So if in doubt, don’t feed it to your Beagle.
Summary
Although my lovely Cocoa would tell me that all of these foods are absolutely delicious, it is clear to see that our food cupboards hold many items that are potentially toxic to dogs. So, don't rely on your Beagle's instincts when figuring out what is safe for them to eat, as our cuddly canines do not always know what is good for them!
I can certainly vouch that my Beagle has no sense of self-preservation.
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