The Belgian Malinois is strong, intelligent, and very high-energy but just like any other breed of dog, the body is sensitive to food.
A lot of human food that is consumed every day would be very poisonous or may even kill a Belgian Malinois immediately in case of consumption in some quantities.
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There are those that assault the nervous system, those that kill red blood cells and others that can lead to impromptu organ failure in a few hours.
This is a step-by-step handbook that elaborates on the types of food that can cause instant death of a Belgian Malinois, based on veterinary toxicology, physiological facts, and practical risk evidence. Being aware of these hazards may help save your dog.
Belgian Malinois are fatal to some foods
The way dogs digest food is very different to the way humans digest food. Innocuous chemicals may remain in the system of a dog over a long time accumulating to toxic quantities. Belgian Malinois, in spite of their sports appearance, is not a resistant creature to these influences.
Some toxins:
- Disrupt heart rhythm
- Cause severe hypoglycemia
- Cause acute renewal failure or liver.
- Epileptic seizures, coma, or cardiac arrest.
Symptoms manifest very fast in most instances hence giving very little time to take action.
Foods that will kill a Belgian Malinois in a second
| Food | Why It Is dangerous | Major Health Effects | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theobromine and caffeine dogs are unable to process | Contains theobromine and caffeine | Death, heart failure, seizures | Extremely High |
| Causes sudden kidney failure | Causes sudden kidney failure | Vomiting, lethargy Kidney shutdown | Extremely High |
| Causes extreme insulin secretion | Hypoglycemia, liver failure, coma | Very High | |
| Onion & Garlic | Kill red blood cells | Anemia, oxygen deprivation | High |
| Nervous and respiratory Systems Depressant | Nervous and respiratory Systems Depressant | Depth, respiratory failure | High |
| MACADAMIA Nuts | Unknown toxin | muscles, nerves – impacts – tremor, weakness, hyperthermia | high |
| Cooked Bones | Splintering, internal damage, obstructed | internal bleeding, obstruction | High |
| Ferments to alcohol in stomach | Ferments to alcohol in stomach | Bloat, alcohol poisoning | High |
| Avocado Pit | Persin toxicity and choking | GI distress, blockage | Moderate |
| Fruit Seeds (Apple, Peach, Cherry) | Contains cyanogenic compounds | Cyanide poisoning | Moderate |
1. Chocolate and Caffeinated Foods
Chocolate is considered to be one of the deadliest in the case of Belgian Malinois. It has both theobromine and caffeine which are stimulants that are very slow to metabolize in dogs. Even moderate portions of the dark or baking chocolate may result in toxicity.
Effects:
- Rapid heart rate
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Severe vomiting and diarrhea.
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Sudden cardiac arrest
Theobromine is found in darker chocolates in greater proportions and thus it is much more hazardous compared to milk chocolate.
2. Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins are particularly unsafe since there is no dosage that is safe. Other dogs die of acute kidney failure having eaten only a few.
Effects:
- Vomiting within hours
- Lethargy and dehydration
- Decreased or total loss of the urine flow.
- Shutting of kidneys with resultant death.
The causative agent is not known exactly hence prevention is key.
3. Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener)
Xylitol is an example of the quickest and deadliest toxin to dogs. It is frequently present in sugarless gum, candies, baked goods and a few brands of peanut butter.
Effects:
- Acute blood sugar levels reduction in 30-60 minutes.
- Loss of coordination
- Seizures
- Acute liver failure
- Lack of speed of treatment in death.
A Belgian Malinois can die even by tiny quantities.
4. Allium Vegetables, Garlic and Onions.
They all belong to the Allium family, which destroys red blood cells in dogs, all consisting of onions, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots.
Effects:
- Hemolytic anemia
- Weakness and collapse
- Pale gums
- Oxygen deprivation
Depending on the form used, toxicity may be experienced in raw, cooked, powdered or dried and symptoms may become apparent days subsequent to ingestion.
5. Alcohol and Fermented Foods
Dogs are more adversely affected by alcohol. Even minute amounts are able to block important operations.
Effects:
- Loss of coordination
- Vomiting
- Slowed breathing
- Coma
- Death
Raw yeast dough is the particularly dangerous one as it grows up in the stomach and it makes the alcohol inside the body, making the process of bloat and poisoning even more dangerous.
6. Macadamia Nuts
Small amounts of Macadamia nuts are lethal to dogs.
Effects:
- Muscle weakness
- Tremors
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Difficulty walking
The symptoms normally present themselves in 12 hours and this could take up to two days.
7. Bones that have been cooked and Chokes Hazards
Bones are in themselves natural but cooked bones are very harmful.
Risks:
- Splintering which pricks organs.
- Intestinal blockage
- Internal bleeding
- Choking
Unless such injuries are addressed as soon as possible, they may prove fatal.
8. Fruit Seeds and Pits
Apple, cherry, apricot, cherry, cherries, and plums have cyanogenic substances which release cyanide upon crushing.
Effects:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shock
- Sudden collapse
Megapits are also a great obstruction and choking threat.
What To Do When Your Belgian Malinois Eats a Toxic Food
- Action is the order of the day–haste.
- Do not wait till you start to have the symptoms.
- Call an emergency veterinarian immediately.
- Do not make yourself vomit without an order.
- Early treatment is important as it enhances the survival probabilities.
Knowing the type of foods that kill a Belgian Malinois in a single instance is imperative to being a good dog owner.
Other things such as chocolate, grapes, xylitol, onions, alcohol, and macadamia nuts may result in rapid and life-threatening reactions. Most of these foods are household products thus accidental exposure is a reality.
The safest practice is stern prevention, which is never give human food without first demonstrating that it is safe for a dog, always read ingredient labels, and store the potentially harmful food in a secure place.
Their Belgian Malinois may die or survive depending on the speed and introduction of awareness.