You wouldn't poison your boxer, would you?

Many of us feed our boxers people food. There is much debate if this is good for your boxer or not. We fed our boxers people food because we did not like the additives in the commercial food, and quite frankly, the dogs didn't eat it very well.

With that said you must also be careful what food you feed you boxer as you could be poisoning him and not even know it. Many of the foods we enjoy are toxic to your boxer.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains the compound theobromine. Theobromine is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic.

If you boxer is affected by an overdose, he can become excited and hyperactive, he may pass large volumes of urine and be constantly thirsty. He may also vomit and have diarrhea. The most dangerous effect of the Theobromine is on the heart. It will either increase his heart rate or cause an irregular hear beat.

Death is possible especially with excercise.

Coca powder and cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms. These forms of chocolate contain 10 times more theobromine that milk chocolate. Semi-sweet and dark chocolate are the next most dangerous forms and milk chocolate is the least dangerous.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic can also cause sickness in your boxer. The contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger than garlic.

A boxer affected by onion poisoning will develop haemolytic anemia. This is where the boxer's red blood cells burst while circulating in its body.

Signs of onion poisoning are vomiting and diarrhea. They will also show no interest in food and will be dull and weak. The urine may have a red tint and the dog will have trouble breathing because the red blood cells that carry oxygen are reduced in number.

Poisoning typically occurs several days after ingestion. All forms of onions are toxic, including dehydrated, raw, cooked and table scraps containing onions or garlic.

Garlic is less toxic than onion and extremely large amounts would have to be eaten to cause illness.

Macadamia Nuts

The toxic compound in macadamia nuts is unknown, but it causes locomotory difficulties. Boxers will develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Boxers affected may be unable to rise and are distressed and panting. Some boxers have swollen limbs and show pain when the joints are manipulated.

Fortunately, while painfull, it is usually short lived and the boxer will recover from the poisoning.

Here is a list of other potentially dangerous foods:

Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pips

Potato peelings and green looking potatoes (mashed potatoes are fine)

Rhubarb leaves

Moldy/spoiled foods

Alcohol

Yeast Dough

Coffee Grounds, beans, and tea (caffeine)

Hops

Tomato leaves and stems

Broccoli (in large amounts)

Raisins and Grapes

Cigarettes, tobacco, and cigars

We like to give you information you can use and we hope the above helps you not to accidentally poison your boxer.

There is a National Animal Poison Control Center. The number is 1-888-426-4435.

We also like to make you aware of information you might be interested in. We would like to recommend you look at Veterinary Secrets Revealed. We do not agree with everything in the book, but it is worth the price.

Next month we will cover toxic plants....

Remember Hug your boxer everyday!