Bichón Maltese dogs are opportunistic when it comes to eating. You’re finishing your dinner, and Sparky thinks it’s his turn to eat at whatever table is left over on your plate. Or you’re having a quick snack, and you look down to see Spot looking at you with those big pleading eyes.
When it comes to snagging a bite, there’s nothing wrong in the Maltese’s opinion of him. However, there are some edibles that shouldn’t be turned into treats for his Bichón Maltese, no matter how much they beg.
Certain foods that are even considered healthy for humans can be downright toxic when eaten by your canine. Others will not be fatal, but can cause serious discomfort to the canine. It’s best to stick to the Bichón Maltese dog food that the vet recommends for your pet, but it’s natural to want to give him treats on occasion. That’s fine and fine, as long as you avoid using these foods.
“”No matter how much he begs, you should not feed your Maltese dog certain foods.””
Jamie Hoyt
If you come home to find your pet has broken into the pantry, or you accidentally give your dog one of these treats without thinking about it, be sure to seek specialist advice.
“”CALL YOUR VET AND ASK WHAT YOU SHOULD DO.“”
Onions And Garlic
If you use any form of garlic and onion in your meals, save the leftovers for your own lunch instead of sharing them with your canine. Garlic, onion and leeks are part of the allium family of plants, which can disrupt red blood cells in canines. This can cause your dog to become anemic, explains Justine Lee, a graduate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.
Garlic in particular is five times more toxic to Maltese dogs than other allium plants, but even onion powder found in baby foods can cause a problem. Eating large amounts of raw garlic and onion is particularly worrisome, but eating smaller amounts over an unremitting amount of time can also cause problems. Symptoms of anemia in your Maltese dog can include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, and shortness of breath, among many others.
Peaches, Plums And Kaki
Who knew that so many fruits were a bad idea to feed your dog? It’s unlikely a dog would start munching on one of these fruits on his account, but if he lives in an area with peach and plum trees, he’d better pay close attention. The fruit itself isn’t the problem – it’s the internal pits that do the damage.
Most obviously, pits can cause intestinal obstructions that can become serious. However, the pits also contain cyanide, which is toxic to both humans and pets. Humans know not to bite the hole, while their dog can continue to chew. In addition to this, kaki seeds can cause inflammation in the intestines, adding to your canine’s discomfort.
Yeast Shorts its life
If your canine has set up its Dog Olympics not to jump up and grab food off the kitchen counter, it’s best not to leave your rising bread dough unattended. Diastase in any form before baking is extremely dangerous for your dog, as it will continue to rise in his stomach.
Ingesting the diastase mass can cause gas to build up in your dog’s digestive system as a result of the increased mass,” explains VetsNow. The yeast also generates ethanol as a byproduct, which in your canine can make them drunk.
Grapes And Raisins
The compound in grapes and raisins that is toxic to Maltese dogs is unknown, reports the ASPCA. Whatever it is, it is dangerous enough to cause kidney failure in canines, and feeding grapes or raisins to your dog should be absolutely avoided. According to the Canine Journal, eating these innocuous snacks can also cause severe liver damage.
The way your pooch responds to nutrition will change based on their breed and size, but even a handful can cause serious problems. I’ve seen little pups that have only had two raisins go into horrific kidney failure and have to be hospitalized for days,” Lee told Good Housekeeping. If you don’t seek medical attention for your pet, it can be fatal.
Alcohol
As he has probably gleaned from the yeast information, your canine getting drunk is not a good thing. It might be fun to watch your canine toss and spin after lapping up spilled beer, but it’s not a pleasant inconvenience for your Maltese dog. Alcohol has the same effect on a dog’s liver as it does in humans, but it takes much less to do the same damage. Just a little can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nervous system depression, coordination problems, difficulty breathing, coma, even death,” reports WebMD.
Veterinarian Sonja Olson suggests that pet owners think of their Maltese as children when it comes to ingesting alcohol in any form. Their enzymes are similar to ours, but the effects of alcohol are more potent,” Olson told Good Housekeeping. Keep an extra eye on sangria and jungle juices – Maltese dogs are more likely to try fruity cocktails that disguise the smell of alcohol compared to red wine.
Candy and gum
If your gingerbread houses and other candy decorations are at risk of being gobbled up, it might be time to switch to the new holiday traditions, and keep candy and gum out of sight. Both often contain a sweetener called xylitol, which is also found in toothpaste and some diet foods. (It’s almost guaranteed to be in all “sugar-free” candy.)
In dogs, xylitol can lead to an insulin spike, which is ultimately bad for blood sugar and can potentially cause liver damage. According to Good Housekeeping, if xylitol is in the first three to five ingredients, it’s probably toxic to your pup.
Macadamia nuts
If you regularly snack on macadamia nuts or are a white chocolate-macadamia cookie fiend, be sure to keep your stash hidden from your furry friends. Along with chocolate, grapes, and garlic, these particular nuts are some of the worst foods you can feed your canine.
As little as six macadamia nuts can make canines sick, reports WebMD, whether they’re raw or roasted. Poisoning can manifest itself through muscle tremors, vomiting, and even paralysis. Symptoms may last only twelve to 48 hours after ingestion.
Corn on the cob
Corn might be the No. 1 filler ingredient in many dog foods, but skip the au naturel version that comes on a cob when you’re feeding it to your pet. Maltese dogs will continue to chew on the cob long after the kernels are gone, and ingesting large pieces of the cob could cause digestive problems, mainly blockages.
A piece of corn cob that is just a few inches long can be enough to cause a problem, Lee told Good Housekeeping, and apparently can be quite difficult to locate on X-rays. At worst, eating corn on the cob can land your pooch into surgery.
Caffeine
Most dogs won’t be found sipping coffee, but they should stay away from caffeine in all forms, including sodas and energy drinks. This is essentially poison to your dog if he swallows it,” the Canine Journal bluntly states.
Caffeine contains substances called methylxanthines, which are found in “the fruit of the plant used to make coffee, and in the dried fruit of an extract used in some sodas,” reports the ASPCA. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and even death.
Chocolate
You may have dismissed it as over the top or an old wife’s tale, but chocolate is no good for your Maltese. Like caffeine, chocolate contains methylxanthines and can have the same dangerous side effects as caffeine.
All types of chocolate contain these compounds, although it is more common in some types. Dark chocolate, chocolate mulch, and unsweetened bakery chocolate are particularly potent and harmful to Maltese dogs, according to WebMD.
Salt
Feeding your Maltese a handful of chips or pretzels when his own craving for a snack isn’t the best example of “sharing is caring.”
Eating too much excess salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning,” writes WebMD. While we know to drink plenty of water — especially around the time we start to feel thirsty — we may not remember to monitor our pet’s water intake.
A chip or two won’t cause major harm, but it’s best to eliminate low-sodium alternatives when possible.
Milk and milk products
Not all dogs are lactose intolerant, and those who aren’t will be fine with the occasional ice cream or yogurt. Still, it’s best to avoid milk and milk products for the most part. As with most foods that dogs cannot eat, they will experience vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive problems if they are lactose intolerant.
In some cases, an allergic reaction could also occur, which will likely take the form of itching.
Avocados
While avocados may be having a moment on toast, in guacamole, and even by themselves for humans, our furry counterparts won’t reap the same health benefits as the fruit. Avocados contain a compound called persin, which can be toxic to Maltese dogs. Among other problems, persin can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart congestion in canines.
Not only does it persist in the fruit itself, but it is also in the pit, leaves, and even the bark of an avocado tree. If you live in a warm climate where avocados grow naturally, keep your pet away from these trees.
Fat And Bone Trimmings
Dogs thrive on fat trimmings in your bowl, right? Not quite, but it turns out it is. Eating too many fat trimmings can lead to pancreatitis in dogs, also known as an inflamed pancreas.
Also, bones given to pet dogs can choke them, or the bones can splinter and become a hazard during digestion. Cooked bones are a particular risk, as they are more likely to splinter. Although some sources say raw bones are fine, others suggest giving them up entirely.
Human Medicine
This should go without saying, but don’t assume that the medication you take for a headache or other ailment will work the same way for your Maltese. Unless you get specific instructions from your vet, don’t become your Maltese’s over-the-counter pharmacist.
Conclusion
The love and care you invest in your Bichón Maltese extend to their diet. Steering clear of harmful foods is a crucial part of being a responsible pet owner. Always consult your veterinarian to ensure you’re providing a well-balanced and safe diet for your beloved Bichón Maltese. A nutritious and safe diet, coupled with love and care, will help ensure a happy, healthy, and energetic life for your furry friend.
