Poisonous Foods to Avoid in Dog Cake Recipes

Although there are some people foods out there that can be good for dogs, or at least merely safe, there are also ingredients that should be avoided at all costs. Smaller dogs fall ill should they ingest any of these ingredients due to their size. The most important thing to remember when using any ingredients in dog cake recipes or homemade dog food recipes is to introduce any ingredient in small amounts. That way, you can gauge the sensitivity of your pet and ensure their safety. With that in mind, below is a compilation of ingredients you should never, never even consider throwing in any dog cake recipes.

Baby Food

Baby food is often a popular choice in dog cake recipes because it is a mashed up version of vegetables and other nutrients that many owners may think that their dog needs. However, baby food may contain onions or onion powder, both of which are extremely toxic to dogs. Additionally, baby food contains excess sugar and salt which is foreign to a dog. Dog cake recipes should typically just steer clear of baby food for these potential pet health hazards.

Liver

Liver is one of those ingredients that is based on proportionality to determine whether or not it is toxic. For this reason, many owners should feel uncomfortable including it in their dog cake recipes or homemade dog food recipes. Large amounts of cooked liver can cause vitamin A toxicity. Mind you this would be caused only by very large amounts, but determining this threshold is difficult depending on the size of a dog. Just for safety reasons, avoid using liver in any of your meaty dog cake recipes.

Macadamia Nuts and Walnuts

A lot of owners like to incorporate macadamia nuts and walnuts for a little crunch in their dog cake recipes. Unfortunately, these are two ingredients known to be toxic to dogs. They contain many unknown toxins that can cause anything from muscle weakness, to paralysis. It is also a good idea to stay away from other nuts in your dog cake recipes because they contain high amounts of salt and fat, both of which can be harmful to animals.

Salt, Sugar and Sweeteners

The fact of the matter is that dogs have a lot less taste buds than humans. Salt, sugar and sweeteners, therefore, are just unnecessary additives in dog cake recipes or homemade dog food recipes that do little more than increase the chances of health complications. In large amounts, salt can lead to kidney issues in dogs and poses the risk for sodium ion toxicity. Additionally, too much sugar can cause hypoglycemia, obesity and tooth decay. Because there is really no purpose for any of these ingredients, avoid them at all costs.

With so many falsehoods out there surrounding ingredients that are ok and are not ok to give to dogs, it is always better to err on the side of caution. If you find multiple sources that state that an ingredient is ok to use in your dog cake recipes, use it with confidence. If the results are mixed, however, try to stay as far away from it as possible. Treats are meant to be a healthy reward, not a health hazard waiting to happen. By avoiding the ingredients listed above, you can be on the right track to making healthy treats your dog will love.

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