Boxer Dogs and Human Food – 7 Noted Foods To Avoid

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Boxer Dogs and Human Food – 7 Food Boxers Should Avoid

Boxer dogs and human food is it good for our Boxer?  

Most of us love to reward our boxers with human food.  They look up with those sad eyes and it is hard to resist not giving our boxer treats of table scraps or human food.

But, often our love for our boxers and rewarding them with human foods can have deleterious effects on our boxer’s health and well-being.  These negative effects can include, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and in severe cases can even be fatal.

These are the 7 foods you should never feed your boxer to keep them healthy.

The 7 Foods Never to Feed Your Boxer

1. Onions, Garlic, Chives
2. Grapes and Raisins
3. Chocolate
4. Alcohol & Bread Dough
5. Sugar-Free Products Containing Xylitol
6. Macadamia Nuts
7. Mushrooms

How often do owners feed their pets human food? A study, Do Feeding Practices of Obese Dogs Before Weight Loss Affect the Success of Weight Management found that

• 85% of Dog Owners in this study fed their dog’s human food.
• 25% of Dog owners fed their dogs table scraps

We can see from this study that a majority of us feed our dogs human food.  While most human food can be safe for both humans and boxers, the 7 foods you should avoid listed above are particularly toxic to your boxer.

Read our Post on Best Treats For Boxer Dogs to get information on natural, healthy, and raw dog treats for your boxer.

The table below lists the 7 human foods that should not be fed to Boxers to keep them healthy.  It lists the clinical signs if they do eat these foods and the prognosis.

Table 1  – Boxer Dogs and Human Food – Harmful Effects on Health

Disclaimer:  I am not a veterinary professional.  The information on clinical signs and prognosis was drawn from peer-reviewed scientific journals that are listed below.  I purposely did not discuss treatment.  As each food is discussed in detail below under treatment, it states to seek veterinary medical intervention in the case of ingestion.  Veterinarians are trained to handle these types of emergencies.

The data in the table is drawn in part from the two studies listed below

Is there data that supports boxer dogs and human food is toxic or is this just an urban legend, that is passed around where boxer owners’ say “You really shouldn’t feed these human foods to your boxer”.

The toxic effects of these foods on dogs are published in the following peer-reviewed journals.

• Hidden Dangers In The Kitchen – Common Foods Toxic To Dogs and Cats, Vetlearn.com Compendium, Gugler, DVM, Piscitelli, DVM and Dennis, DVM 2013
• Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 22 March 2016

As you can see from the table above, it’s imperative that we don’t feed our boxers the 7 foods listed because of their toxic effects.  

For Additional Information read our post

As the saying goes, “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”.

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Pet Owners and Veterinary Professionals’ Dog Feeding Habits

So, how prevalent is feeding dogs human food?  Is it just pet owners or do veterinary professionals give their dogs human food as well? 

 Let’s take a look at the results of several surveys.

Vetstreet Poll for Vetstreet Readers and Veterinary Professionals, Veterinary Technicians, and Office Managers, March 2014

The survey had the following response rate

• Pet owners – 2, 347 respondents
• Veterinary Professionals – 253

Table 2 – Boxer Dogs and Human Food Vetstreet Poll on Feeding Habits

Table Vet Street Readers Poll  data March 16, 2014

In another study, Do Feeding Practices of Obese Dogs Before Weight Loss Affect the Success Of Weight Management, Pud Med, NIH, 2011

The researchers found among 100 dog owners participating in the study

• Feeding treats was common and included the following food types

• 43% Purchased treats
• 25% Table scraps
• 87% Pet Food
• 85% Human Food 

• Owners admitting to feeding their dogs human food fed them a broad range of food types
• 54% Cheese
• 54% Bread
• 49% Sweet Biscuits
• 44% Fruit

As you can see feeding dogs human food is a widespread practice.  While a majority of the time, human food is a nice reward for your boxer it’s important not to give them the toxic foods listed above.

Read our post

Your Boxer will love Peanut Butter Superfood Dog Treats with Koji From Wild Earth.com as a healthy treat that doesn’t contain any of the 7 harmful foods

Now let’s take a look at each toxic food individually.

Boxer Dogs and Human Food – 7 Food Boxers Should Avoid

The data on the 7 Toxic Foods is drawn from the following peer-reviewed Journals to support why boxer dogs should not eat these foods.

Hidden Dangers In The Kitchen – Common Foods Toxic To Dogs and Cats, Vetlearn.com Compendium, 2016

Household Food Items Toxic To Dogs and Cats, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 22 March 2016.

Boxer Dogs and Human Food – Onions & Garlic

• Onions and garlic are members of the Allium family, which also includes leeks, chives, and shallots.
• The toxicity of onions and garlic has been well documented and was initially discovered in the 1930s.
• All forms of onions can be toxic for your boxer.  These include raw onions, onion juice, dehydrated and powdered onion.
• A single intake due to accidental ingestion of raw onions or feeding your dog foods containing onions or garlic can cause toxicosis.

Onions & Garlic Ingestion – Clinical Signs, Treatment & Prognosis

Clinical Signs of Onion & Garlic Ingestion

These clinical signs usually occur within 1 to 5 days after your boxer ingests onions or garlic

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hypersalivation

Additional Symptoms

• Pale mucous membranes
• Weakness
• Depression

Treatment

There is no specific antidote for onion ingestion.  Take your boxer to a Veterinarian as soon as possible after ingestion.

Prognosis

According to the published data, the prognosis for recovery is good with appropriate supportive care.

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Boxer Dogs and Human Food – Grapes and Raisins

• Grapes are the largest fruit crop grown in the world.
• Acute Renal Failure (ARF) has been reported in the literature since the 1990s after dogs ingested grapes or raisins.
• The specific toxin in grapes and raisins has not been determined.
• Not all dogs that ingest grapes or raisins will develop Acute Renal Failure.
• The amount of grapes or raisins consumed by the dog does not necessarily predict how much kidney damage a dog may experience if treatment is not administered promptly.

Grapes & Raisins – Clinical Signs, Treatment & Prognosis

Clinical Signs

• Vomiting – the most common and usually occurs within 24 hours after eating grapes or raisins.

Other Symptoms

• Lethargy
• Anorexia
• Abdominal Pain
• Decreased Urine Output

Treatment

Take your boxer to the veterinarian immediately if they eat grapes or raisins or if you suspect they have eaten grapes.

Prognosis

Based on the data, dogs receiving rapid medical intervention have an excellent prognosis for recovery.

Boxer Dogs & Human Food – Chocolate & Caffeine

• Caffeine is a plant alkaloid found in chocolates, coffee beans, energy drinks, energy bars, etc.
• Other sources of caffeine commonly found in the kitchen include teas and sodas.

Chocolate & Caffeine – Clinical Signs, Treatment & Prognosis

Clinical Signs

• Can be seen as early as 1 to 2 hours after eating chocolate or products containing caffeine.
• Symptoms
  • Hyperactivity
  • Vomiting
  • Panting 
  • Diarrhea
  • Urinary Incontinence
  • Muscle Tremors

Treatment

Take your boxer to the vet as soon as possible after ingesting chocolate or caffeine-containing products so appropriate treatment by the veterinarian can be started.

Prognosis

The data indicate that the prognosis is excellent for dogs receiving immediate veterinary care.  Dogs with severe toxicosis have a guarded prognosis.

Boxer Dogs and Human Food – Alcohol & Bread Dough

• Fermentation of sugars by yeast produces alcohol, specifically Ethyl Alcohol or Ethanol
• Alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and is broken down in the liver.
• Toxic effects occur after accidental or intentional Ingestion by the dog.
• Dogs eating uncooked bread dough and rotten apples have been reported to experience alcohol poisoning.
• Dogs may experience distended stomachs after eating raw bread dough because their body temperature starts the fermentation process which releases carbon dioxide causing the stomach to swell.

Clinical Signs

Initial Symptoms

• Vomiting 
• Excitation

Additional symptoms

• Lethargy
• Hypothermia
• Urinary Incontinence
• Central Nervous System Suppression

Treatment

Immediately seek treatment from a veterinary professional

Prognosis

Based on the data the prognosis is excellent for mild cases.  With proper supportive care, symptoms should resolve in 24 hours.

Xylitol – Found in Sugar-Free Foods & Candies

• Xylitol is a sugar alcohol found in low levels in fruits and vegetables, berries, and mushrooms.
• Food manufacturers use Xylitol in a variety of sugar-free gums and candies, cakes, cereals, beverages, and even toothpaste.
• Xylitol is used because it doesn’t cause spikes in the insulin level in humans.  Continually high levels of Insulin in the bloodstream have been associated with obesity and weight gain.
• Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs

Xylitol Clinical Signs, Treatment, and Prognosis

Clinical Signs

• Vomiting
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) due to the sudden release of insulin.  Usually occurs within 30-60 minutes

Clinical signs of Hypoglycemia

• Weakness
• Ataxia (poor muscle control causing clumsy voluntary movements)
• Altered vision
• Seizures

Symptoms of hypoglycemia may appear 24-48 after ingestion of Xylitol.

Treatment

Seek Veterinary medical care immediately if you know your boxer has ingested sugar-free foods or candies containing Xylitol.

Prognosis

The scientific literature indicates the prognosis is GOOD if the dog has uncomplicated hypoglycemia.

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Boxer Dogs and Human Food Macadamia Nuts

• Macadamia nuts grow on trees of the genus Macadamia
• Macadamia nuts are a popular snack food.  They can be consumed directly from the package or they are often times used when baking cakes or cookies and making candies.
• Macadamia nuts are a popular snack item because they have low cholesterol and sodium content.
• Macadamia Nuts are an excellent source of manganese and Thiamine

Macadamia Nuts – Clinical Signs, Treatment, and Prognosis

Clinical Signs

Symptoms usually develop in dogs within 12 hours of ingesting Macadamia Nuts.

Symptoms:

• Weakness (Particularly hind limb weakness)
• Vomiting
• Depression
• Tremors
• Ataxia
• Stiffness 
• Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature)

Treatment

Seek Veterinary medical care immediately if you know your boxer has ingested Macadamia Nuts.

Prognosis

Macadamia nut poisoning is relatively low.

The data indicate that dogs are expected to fully recover within 24-48 hours with minimal veterinary intervention.

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Boxer Dogs and Human Food – Mushrooms

• North America has thousands of varieties of different mushrooms.
• Of the thousands of mushroom varieties (species), there are roughly 100 that are poisonous.
• Dogs often get mushroom poisoning when they are scavenging around.
• The two most poisonous or toxic to  humans and dogs are
  • Death Cap or Death Angel
  • Angel of Death

Mushrooms – Clinical Signs, Treatment, and Prognosis

Clinical Signs

• Severe GI Signs usually within 6-24 hours
  • Hypersalivation
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea 
  • Abdominal Pain

Treatment

Seek Medical Attention from a veterinary professional immediately if your boxer ingested any type of mushroom.

Prognosis

Based on the data, fatalities from mushrooms are rare.  The prognosis for most mushroom poisoning in dogs is fair to good.

Conclusions

The 7 Foods that you should never feed your boxer include

1. Onions, Garlic, Chives
2. Grapes and Raisins
3. Chocolate
4. Alcohol & Bread Dough
5. Sugar-Free Products Containing Xylitol
6. Macadamia Nuts
7. Mushrooms

While fatalities are rare for most of these boxer dogs and human food, they can cause significant symptoms that affect your dog’s health and happiness.

Avoiding these Boxer Dogs and human food will help ensure you have a happy healthy boxer.

For information on Boxer on healthy treats for your dog visit our post Best Treats for Boxers.