Owning a Bull Terrier is a rewarding experience. These dogs are larger than most terrier breeds but don’t let that fool you.
Even small amounts of certain foods can be harmful to them. It’s common for dogs to snatch up household food items.
We also love treating them from time to time. But caution is key.
There are specific foods that can pose serious health risks to your Bull Terrier. In this article, we’ll go through a list of 20 foods your dog should absolutely avoid.
Keep in mind, this isn’t a comprehensive list. Other foods may also be harmful. So let’s dive in and keep your family pet safe.
1. Chocolate
Many people love chocolate, but it’s not for dogs. Made from cacao, chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Dogs can’t metabolize these well.
The result? Toxicity. Signs include central nervous system stimulation, rapid breathing, and irregular heartbeats. Muscle spasms and elevated body temperature can also occur.
In addition, look out for vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst and urination.
Even a small amount can be harmful, so keep chocolate well out of reach of your Bull Terrier.
2. Caffeine
Caffeine is in many items we consume daily—coffee, tea, and some sodas. It’s a central nervous system stimulant, belonging to the methylxanthine drug class.
Dogs can’t handle it. If ingested, symptoms like heavy breathing and a racing heart rate may show up. Your dog may also display increased thirst and urination.
Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea are other red flags.
Be cautious and ensure that any caffeine-rich items are securely stored away from your dog.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol is highly toxic for dogs, even in small amounts. Found in beers, wine, and other alcoholic beverages, it can cause central nervous system depression. This leads to symptoms like sleepiness and disoriented behavior.
Additionally, alcohol can drop your Bull Terrier’s blood sugar, causing low body temperature or hypothermia. Watch out for vomiting, increased thirst and urination, tremors, and even coma.
In severe cases, it can be fatal. Keep alcoholic beverages away from your Bull Terrier.
4. Kale
While you may enjoy kale for its nutrients, it’s a different story for your Bull Terrier. This green vegetable belongs to the cabbage family. Eating it in small amounts generally isn’t harmful.
But larger quantities can be risky. Kale is high in calcium oxalate, which can lead to kidney and bladder stones in your Bull Terrier.
These crystals can deposit in the urinary system, causing urine retention. In extreme cases, this can be life-threatening. Exercise caution and limit kale in your dog’s diet.
5. Avocados
Avocados may be nutrient-rich for humans, but they’re toxic for Bull Terriers. The fruit contains a compound called Persin, found in all parts of the avocado, even the bark and leaves.
If your Bull Terrier ingests avocado, gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea can occur. Worse, the seed can cause a dangerous gastric obstruction. This could be life-threatening.
Keep avocados away from your Bull Terrier to avoid any risks.
6. Onions
Onions contain a compound called N-propyl disulfide, toxic to Bull Terriers. It damages red blood cells, leading to a condition known as hemolytic anemia.
Symptoms include a reduced number of circulating red blood cells, pale gums, lethargy, and red-colored urine.
Keep onions out of your Bull Terrier’s diet to prevent these health risks.
7. Garlic
Garlic is another no-go for Bull Terriers. It contains thiosulfate, which, like onions, can lead to hemolytic anemia. Consuming 15 to 30 grams per kg body weight is enough to cause toxicity.
Watch for signs like rapid breathing, jaundice, lethargy, fainting, and dark-colored urine. It can also upset your dog’s stomach.
Keep garlic away from your Bull Terrier.
8. Chives
Chives, like onions and garlic, belong to the Allium family and are unsafe for Bull Terriers. They contain sulfides that can cause red blood cell damage when ingested in large amounts.
Symptoms include pale gums, jaundice, dark red urine, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Make sure to keep chives out of your Bull Terrier’s reach.
9. Grapes and Raisins
It’s a common mistake to give grapes and raisins as treats to dogs, but they’re toxic for Bull Terriers. They contain tartaric acid, which can lead to gastric upset and even liver and kidney failure.
Early signs include vomiting and drooling. Other symptoms are frequent urination, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and tremors.
Keep both seeded and seedless varieties away from your Bull Terrier.
10. Macadamia Nuts
While macadamia nuts are a tasty treat for humans, they’re a hazard for Bull Terriers. Just a few nuts can have negative health impacts.
Symptoms include lethargy, fever, joint stiffness, a stumbling gait, and vomiting. High in fat, these nuts can also lead to pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas.
Keep macadamia nuts well out of your Bull Terrier’s reach.
11. Nutmeg
Nutmeg, derived from the Myristica fragrans plant, is a common spice but toxic to Bull Terriers. Ingesting even a small amount can cause harmful psychotropic effects like hallucinations.
Symptoms to look out for include rapid breathing, abdominal pain, and seizures.
Keep nutmeg stored safely away from your Bull Terrier.
12. Xylitol (Check Your Peanut Butter!)
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in various products like sugar-free gum, peanut butter, and baked goods. It’s highly toxic to dogs.
Consuming xylitol causes a quick insulin spike, dropping blood sugar levels dangerously. This can lead to hypoglycemia, hypothermia, liver failure, vomiting, and recurrent seizures.
Always read labels on peanut butter or any treats you may consider giving your Bull Terrier to ensure they’re xylitol-free.
13. Corn on the Cob
A small amount of corn isn’t harmful to Bull Terriers, but the cob is a different story. Ingesting the cob can lead to serious issues like gastric obstruction, rupture, or telescoping of intestinal segments.
Symptoms to watch for are heavy vomiting, abdominal pain, and a gas-filled stomach.
Keep cobs away from your Bull Terrier.
14. Cooked Bones
While raw bones are generally safe, cooked bones are a no-go for Bull Terriers. Cooking makes bones brittle, which can lead to dangerous fragments causing obstructions in the stomach or intestines.
This results in acute gastroenteritis, marked by severe ulcers, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. These obstructions can even cause necrosis and endotoxic shock, a life-threatening condition.
Stick to approved dog treats and avoid giving your Bull Terrier cooked bones.
15. Lemon and Lime
In small quantities, lemons and limes are generally safe for Bull Terriers. However, their high citric acid content can disrupt the acid-base balance in the stomach when consumed in larger amounts.
This can lead to mild stomach upset, including symptoms like colic and diarrhea.
Keep these fruits limited in your dog’s diet.
16. Raw Yeast Dough
Raw yeast dough is a serious hazard for Bull Terriers. The fermenting yeast disrupts the normal gut flora and creates an acidic environment.
This leads to a range of issues like tympany, as well as symptoms similar to alcohol toxicity, such as CNS impairment and tremors. Signs to watch for include nausea, difficulty breathing, and disorientation.
Keep raw dough away from your pet.
17. Raw Potatoes
Feeding your Bull Terrier boiled potatoes in moderation is fine, but steer clear of raw ones. They contain solanine, a compound toxic to dogs.
Solanine inhibits the nervous system by blocking a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This can lead to stomach upset, breathing difficulties, arrhythmia, and even liver damage.
Symptoms include muscle weakness and tremors.
Always boil potatoes to eliminate the solanine before feeding them to your dog.
18. Unripe Tomatoes
Unripe green tomatoes and their plants are a no-go for Bull Terriers. They contain toxins like solanine and tomanine.
Signs of toxicity include excessive drooling, vomiting, and muscle weakness, among others.
Play it safe and avoid giving any form of tomato to your dog.
19. Cinnamon
Small amounts of cinnamon are generally okay. However, large quantities can be an issue for Bull Terriers.
Essential oils in cinnamon can cause stomach upset and even liver issues. It can also irritate your dog’s mouth and digestive system.
Use caution with cinnamon treats.
20. Fruit Pits and Cores (Peaches, Apples, Plums, etc.)
While some fruits like bananas and strawberries are safe, Bull Terriers should avoid pits and cores from peaches, apples, and plums. These parts contain toxins like amygdalin, a form of cyanide.
Though a large amount is needed for toxicity, the risk exists. Symptoms include rapid breathing and fainting.
Also, these pits and cores can be a choking hazard for your dog. Exercise caution and remove these parts before offering fruits.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Something They Shouldn’t?
If your Bull Terrier ingests a harmful item, stay calm and act quickly. Remove the item and call your vet or the ASPCA poison control hotline at (888) 426-4435.
Depending on the situation, your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. Activated charcoal may also be given to prevent further toxin absorption.
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Immediate action can save your dog’s life.
Moving forward, be vigilant about what your dog eats.