For millennials, dogs have been humans’ best friend, and not without reason. The species is uniquely intelligent and has a staggering ability to understand us and cooperate with us.

The challenges of measuring a dog’s intelligence

It is hard to define a dog’s smartness on a general basis because there are several sides to what can be defined as intelligence. Practical intelligence and intuitive intelligence are two completely different types of smartness; however, they are typical dog traits.

Unbelievable facts about the human’s best friend

Dr Stanley Coren is a renowned dog expert. He graduated from the British-Colombia University and has since published several top-selling dog books.

He has done throughout analyses and research as he studied the dog’s intelligence. His findings have proved that dogs are a lot smarter than we think.

“We all want insight into how our furry companions think, and we want to understand the silly, quirky and apparently irrational behaviours [that] Lassie or Rover demonstrate”.

“Their stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity are reminders that they may not be Einsteins but are sure closer to humans than we thought”, Coren has previously stated in a press release.

- They can understand more than 150 words

- They have the brain capacity of a two-year-old human child

There is more than one type of intelligence, and according to Coren, among dogs, there are three prevailing types to consider.

This type of intelligence applies to the dog’s ability to receive information and perform practical work based on the information received.

This is the intelligence dogs are born with. However, it often varies within breeds due to different type of breeders.

The dog’s ability to adapt to new situations and environmental challenges.

Work intelligence is the most accessible form of intelligence to study. You can easily judge a dog’s obedience and ability to learn new commands and task solving. Like in this instance, a dog doing yoga:

In a study conducted in the USA, 208 professional dog competition judges got the task of ranging different dog breeds based on their intelligence. According to the results, these are the top ten most work intelligent dog breeds:

Dogs can understand more words than you think!

If you doubt whether or not dogs are intelligent, maybe this will help persuade you into believing; dogs can learn on average 165 words!

According to Coren, a dog can, on average, learn to understand about 165 words. However, some of the most intelligent dogs can learn to understand more than 250 words. The most conspicuous example is a Border Collie named Chaser, who learned the name for more than a thousand toys.

Witness the miraculous Chaser in action here:

Dogs cannot calculate the answer to the great challenges of the universe; however, they can count.

According to Coren, dogs can count to four or five.

A study done by students at the University of Emory proved that dogs have the mental capacity to recognize quantities. For example, the number of dogs in the dog park or treats in their owner’s hand.

Many dog owners have tried to convince other people that their four-legged family member is intelligent. Now, there is evidence to back this up.

Dogs are intelligent creatures with the ability to learn words, solve tasks and see the bigger picture. Their mental capacity could be compared to a human child at 2 years of age. For a pet, that is pretty impressive.

The degree of smartness varies between breeds, and even within the breeds themselves. Either way, one should not underestimate how much a dog understands. They are surprisingly bright.

The understanding we have of our dog’s intelligence isn’t just fascinating; it is also something we need to better understand the dog. By better understanding how they work, we can improve their quality of life­.

For example, a border collie will need a lot of stimuli to thrive. They are dogs that have extraordinary abilities that need attention to become a resource for us.

This also applies to all other dog breeds. To thrive, they need stimuli, and the more we teach them, the more we learn about them.

Øyvind Skogmo Hansen

The smartest dog breed in the world

Renowned dog scientist: – We have underestimated them. 

How smart are dogs? 

Have you ever thought about how lucky we are to have the ability to communicate our desires, demands and meanings by using words? Dogs do not have this ability, which is why they have developed their own way of communicating.

Their way of communicating is essential. Without it, dogs cannot avoid conflicts within their pack. They need communication to hunt and when raising their young. At least, that is what dog trainer, Turid Rugaas, says.

Rugaas has devoted most of her life to dogs. She has travelled the world as a dog trainer, author and is the woman behind the renowned dog term ‘calming signals’.

Rugaas’s discoveries regarding calming signals in dogs have cleared the way of how the world now sees how dogs communicate. Keep in mind that Rugaas isn’t a scientist, and there is a lack of scientific evidence. However, her life-long experience as a dog trainer is just as valuable to the dog community.

According to Rugaas, calming signals is something dogs use when they attempt to deescalate a potential conflict. She refers to the signals as ‘a dog’s life insurance’ precisely because it can help save a dog’s life.

Sometimes the signals are obvious. However, there are also subtle signals that humans might not register as easily. After reading this article you might start to notice new things about your dog.

Why is it important that you learn about calming signals?

Generally, dogs have more than 30 different types of calming signals, Rugaas says. Maybe even more. By learning these signals, you can become a better dog owner, which will improve your dog’s quality of life. The key to a perfect dog/human relationship is mutual understanding.

Calming signals work well between dogs because they have practised this behaviour for millennials. It has become their language. It becomes more challenging for the dog when it tries to use the same communication tool to an oblivious human.

If no one understands the dog when sending these signals, or if someone misunderstands the signals for disobedience and punishes the dog for trying to communicate, it might lose its ability to signal other dogs.

The best way to learn about the dogs calming signals is to try to understand them.

Below is a list of examples that Rugaas refer to as "calming signals". 

- Licking (licks their snout or lips a lot)

- Lays down on their belly with their head in front of their legs

In what situations do dogs use calming signals?

Suppose your dog shows any of the abovementioned signs around other dogs. In that case, it can be because it is trying to deescalate a situation. Below is a few examples of when dogs might try to use calming signals:

- When someone is angry (For example, the owner)

- When someone directly approaches the dog

Most dogs behave according to Rugaas theory about calming signals. However, there are exceptions. If a dog has previously been punished for using calming signals, it might stop using them.

Suppose a dog tried to deescalate a situation by using calming signals but still got attacked by another dog. In that case, it might also stop using it as a way of communicating.

If the dog is too stressed, it might not think rationally and therefore will not try to deescalate anything.

What does science say about calming signals

When Turid Rugaas first referred to the phenomenon as ‘calming signals’, it was not made any scientific research on the subject. It is a term she has invented through her life-long experience with dogs.

Whether or not calming signals is a part of a language developed between dogs over time or is an intuitive response to stress has not been proven. However, in 2017, a study was conducted, and the results indicate that calming signals affect dogs.

The study needs further research, but it acknowledged the term ‘calming signals’ as something that plays a big part in how dogs communicate.

The study was done by the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Pisa. The data collected was by studying the behaviour of 24 dogs. The dogs got paired together and filmed by the scientists.

In total, they observed 2130 calming signals. Over 109 instances of aggressive behaviour occurred during the study, in which 67% of the instances were followed by calming signals, between the dogs.

In 79% of those instances, the conflict got deescalated due to the communication between the dogs.

If anything, the basis of this study indicates that calming signals are indeed true.

There was one instance during the study where one of the dogs did not respond to calming signals. The aggressive behaviour continued despite various attempts to deescalate the situation by the other dog. But does this mean that this type of signalling isn’t universal for dogs? Not necessarily. The same often happens in the human world, where one part has no interest in conflict. Still, the other part wants to escalate the situation.

The scientists concluded that ‘the results indicate that calming signals can play a role in how dogs prevent aggressive behaviour’.

Calming signals by dogs 

Calming signals – what they are and why you need to know them 

Have you just bought a new pup or maybe obtained a rescue dog? Even if it is just a part of your future plans, it is good to know what essential dog equipment you will need.

We have made a list of things you should put at the top of your priorities.

This might sound like a ‘no-brainer’; however, you’d be surprised what people forget. Except for snuggles, affection, care and love, food is absolutely one of the most essential parts of a dog’s day. Whether old or young.

Pet shops and dog shops can help you find the right food for your dog. If you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about a recommended type of food, as they will know what food suited the pups’ parents best throughout their lives. You’d be surprised by how requirements vary between the different breeds.

You should have two different bowls for food and water. We recommend getting a few extra bowls for when you’re travelling. Another safe card here is to buy a matt to keep underneath the bowl, so you don’t have to sweep the floor after every meal. Puppies are particularly messy eaters.

On many occasions, you will have to keep your dog on a leash. But should you choose a collar, a harness, or both?

It depends much on the dog’s size, breed and personal preference. Most dogs grow accustomed to the harness. It evenly distributes the applied pressure if the dog pulls the leash a lot.

A collar will put all the pressure around the dog’s neck. However, if you want the dog to pull you, then a harness is definitely an advantage.

A collar might reduce the dogs pulling as it will eventually struggle to breathe. It is also more practical in terms of taking it on and off.

A collar is practical in terms of a collar tag too. Leave a name and number on the collar, and it will increase the chances of getting your dog back if it runs off.

With that being said, you could also attach a collar tag to a harness.

The most significant advantage of a collar is that it will be more comfortable to wear inside. The harness might have to come on and off every time you bring the dog outside.

Most dog owners will agree that you can never have enough poopie bags. If you’re surprised by how much your puppy eats, then you’ll be surprised by how much it shits too. So the poopie bag quickly becomes a mandatory item when strolling around with your dog.

And please don’t be that person who never picks up his dog’s poop. You bought this dog, and with it came the responsibility of cleaning up after it. No one wants to see dog poop everywhere.

Dogs are family. Dogs are also adventurous little suicide machines. So please make sure they are seen at all times. Something as simple as a reflector-vest can save your dog’s life on several occasions. You’d be surprised how hard it is to see a little dog running around in the dark along the road.

Dogs need regular brushing, coaming, bathing and sometimes trimming. You will at least need a brush, dog shampoo, a towel, a nail clipper and perhaps a scissor. Dental care is also necessary, whether you brush their teeth or buy them dental sticks.

Your beloved dog definitely deserves a comfortable place to sleep. Dogs aren’t particularly picky, so just choose one that fits and that suits wherever you’re planning to keep it. Some dogs sleep in cages, others in a room.

If your dog moves around a lot during the night, then contemplate getting an extra blanket it can sleep on so it doesn’t have to sleep on the hard floor.

If you are transporting your dog via car, then you should definitely get a cage. A cage will likely save your dog’s life in a car accident.

If you use a cage inside your house, remember not to use it as a punishment if your dog acts naughty. Instead, the dog should associate the cage with a safe spot. The cage can then become a safe retreat whenever the dog wants a break.

Dogs have surprisingly fragile and sensitive paws. So if you are taking your dog for a walk in extreme heat or cold, then paw-socks will be necessary.

In heat, if you’re struggling to keep your hand on the asphalt or in the sand for more than 5 seconds, then your dog will struggle too.

In the cold, remember that even if your dog can handle extreme cold, it will get ice cubes stuck to its feet which will be unpleasant for the dog. Other dogs simply do not handle the cold well.

Many roads are also salted during the winter. This will dry out your dog’s paws and ruin the skin under their feet. This can lead to infections. Wear paw-socks when the environment calls for it, regardless of how much your dog hates the socks.

Most dogs do not need a coat for warmth or shelter, but the ones that do really need it.

Examples of dog breeds that easily get cold and need extra warmth are Italian Greyhound, Toy-poodle, Chihuahua, Bichon Havanais, Yorkshire terrier, and Basset hound.

Dog essentials – a buyer's guide for new owners 

Dog owners could have been right all along.

We already know that dogs can feel joy, anger, and sorrow. Three primary feelings we all share.

Whether dogs can feel so-called secondary feelings is another question. Those kinds of feelings are better known as, among others, shame, guilt, resentment and jealousy. It has long been debated among scientists whether dogs are capable of carrying such emotional baggage.

Up until recent times, it has been anticipated that secondary feelings are a human sensation. However, just based on dog owners experience, that is wrong. It is not uncommon for dog people to sense jealousy coming from their dogs when they pet other dogs.

The question is whether it is, indeed, jealousy or if the dogs somehow feel something similar but different.

Scientists have suspected that what we perceive as jealousy in dogs is actually something else. However, a recent study has made significant discoveries on the topic. Now, they can prove that it is, in fact, jealousy dogs feel.

According to the study done by the University of Auckland, New Zealand, dogs just don't feel jealousy when their owner pets another dog. However, they also feel it when they imagine their owner petting another dog.

Their studies support what many dog owners already believed based on experience. Dogs do show jealous behavior when their owner interacts with a potential rival, says psychologist Amalia Bastos.

She could inform that scientists wanted to study this behavior and find out if dogs could also imagine a situation and feel jealous of something happening in their own minds.

In the study that included 18 dogs, the scientists staged a couple of scenarios. In one scenario, the dog got to see its owner sitting close to a fake but realistic-looking dog. Then, after a little while, the scientists brought in a wall so the dog couldn't see the fake dog anymore.

Moreover, they removed the fake dog and replaced it with a fleece cylinder. The owner then had to pretend the cylinder was the fake dog and give it some snuggles.

Due to the wall blocking the dogs' view, the dog didn't really know what or whom the owner was caressing. Either way, when the owner was pretending to pet the other dog, their own dog expressed visible dread.

The scientists mean that the dog imagined their owner petting the dog that was no longer there and felt jealous as a result.

Dogs that expressed jealousy pulled their leash only when they thought their owner was petting the fake dog.

When they removed the wall, and the dogs got to see their owner petting a fleece cylinder, they reacted less again.

Scientists say this proves that jealousy occurs due to their owner interacting with another dog. Not just because another dog is present.

These results, therefore, suggest that dogs do feel jealousy. However, it also proves that dogs can imagine social settings and act based on their conclusions based on their imagination.

Can dogs be jealous?

Dog owners might have been right all along

Research shows dogs can feel jealousy 

Between 15-20 percent of the population is allergic to dogs. This causes challenges for people who want to get a dog and people who live around dog owners.

Many of those who dreamt of becoming dog owners had to give up on their dream due to allergies. However, a big part of those who dream, despite their allergic reactions, decide to get a dog either way.

Many of those who decide to get a dog get a so-called allergy-friendly breed. Rumors say those breeds are hypoallergenic and therefore provoke no reactions in people with allergies. Those rumors are not true, and in the worst-case scenario, a dog owner will have to give his dog away because of allergic reactions.

Many breeders still advertise the dogs they are selling as hypoallergic dogs. And if you search for allergy-friendly dogs on google, many of the results will claim that dogs can be allergy-friendly. However, if we were to follow scientific advice, there is no such thing as a hypoallergic dog breed.

It is not the fur that provokes reactions.

A common misconception about allergy-provoking dogs is that their fur awakens allergic reactions. In reality, it is the dogs, spit, urine skin cells, and different glands that provoke allergies. The same protein is called ‘can f1’ and is impossible to avoid altogether.

Some dog breeds get advertised as allergy-friendly because they shed extraordinary little or have little or no fur. However, many allergic people are not aware that the fur is irrelevant to their allergic reactions.

A study conducted in 2011 concluded that a household consisting of only allergy-friendly dogs accumulated just as much of the allergy-provoking protein as a household with ‘normal dogs.

Over 60 so-called allergy-friendly dogs were used in the study but had no desired effect on the result. The breeds used include labradoodle, Hairless dog, Portuguese waterdog, amongst more.

Spend time with a dog breed before buying one

Completely hypoallergic dogs are not a thing. However, some allergic owners still report that certain breeds are more suitable to live with. Therefore, it is not entirely impossible for allergic people to own a dog.

However, you must spend time with a few different breeds to experience the outcome before buying one.

Hypoallergenic dogs - myth or fact? 

Back in the old days, people often assumed dogs were empty inside, with no emotions, just pure, raw, animalistic instincts deriving from wolves. These assumptions led to poor treatment towards what later became recognized as the human species' best friend: the dog.

Because yes, it turns out dogs do have feelings.

Since the good old days, science has enlightened us with new and valuable information about how dog brains work. And it turns out we were ever so wrong; dogs do have feelings. Not only that, but scientists have drawn a general consensus that dogs have the mental complexity of a 2-year-old human baby.

Most scientists within the study of ethology even agree that dogs have a well-established arsenal of emotions to choose from.

In more modern days, most humans realize that dogs do have feelings. Dog owners witness emotions such as joy, anger, fear, surprise, and frustration on a daily basis.

However, how dogs perceive their own emotions is a field where we humans are less certain.

The pitfall you’re doomed to stumble into

The abovementioned feelings are something both dogs and humans share in common. These feelings affect our mood and decision-making. However, there is another aspect we need to consider from the spectrum of emotions.

Joy, anger, fear, surprise, and frustration are all primary feelings. Almost primitive feelings, if you like. However, the complexity of the human brain has eventually led us to feel secondary feelings. For example, we can feel emotions such as shame and jealousy.

In dogs, shame hasn’t been scientifically proven to be a feeling. However, they express emotions similar to what we recognise as shame, but how do we really know what they are feeling?

The study of the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intention to non-human entities is called Anthropomorphism, and it is a bit of a pitfall. In this instance, the non-human entities are the dog.

There are countless videos of dogs expressing shame on the internet after behaving rather naughty. Like, being unable to resist eating their owner’s dinner when he or she isn’t paying attention.

We recognize the body language the dog expresses as similar to what we express when we are ashamed of ourselves. Head bent over and desperately trying to look away to get the sensation we are not present at this moment.

However, we cannot just assume that dogs feel shame. It needs to be proven. Dogs also have a signaling system that works like a defensive mechanism: calming signals.

A calming signal is something dogs express to deescalate a situation. For example, if a dog wants to fight another dog, the other dog might show calming signals out of fear to avoid conflict. Likewise, if a dog has eaten his owner’s dinner, the dog will know that he has done something wrong.

Whether the dog is ashamed about his inability to avoid eating the food, or, if the dog is simply afraid of getting punished for it, and therefore attempts to deescalate the situation, we cannot know.

We do not have enough scientific data to draw a conclusion on the topic of shame in dogs.

We have previously published an article containing a study on whether or not dogs can feel jealousy. As with shame, jealousy is a secondary feeling, a range of emotions scientists previously believed dogs cannot feel. The 

study indicates that dogs indeed can feel jealousy

. If science keeps pushing in this direction, maybe dogs’ emotions change our perception for good?

Either or, the dog brain is a complex topic to study. MR-tests show that the areas of the brain that highlights emotions glow up when dogs are being stimulated. Though, how dogs themselves perceive these emotions is almost impossible to say without further research.

We should not exclude the alternative option that dogs can feel things humans cannot. Dogs have a vast and sensitive apparatus for their senses and emotions. They can definitely sense things that we can’t, so why would it be impossible for them to feel things we can’t feel?

What do dogs feel? 

Primary feelings, secondary feelings – to what extent does your dog have emotions? 

What do dogs feel?

Does your dog remember his last visit to the veterinarian? Does he think back at his young days as an inexperienced puppy? Do they remember at all?

These questions fascinate dog enthusiasts all over the world. However, there is limited scientific literature to answer the questions about the dog's memory. Although, there are a few aspects about their memory that scientists have already established, and their discoveries might just surprise you.

Let's get this out of the way straight of the bat: dogs' memory does not work the same way as our memory. Humans tend to get lost in our heads, whether we daydream or reminisce about past relationships and mistakes made. Dogs, on the other hand, tend to live in the moment.

For the dog, the important things in life are happening right here, right now. Everything else is secondary. But does this impulsive lifestyle mean that dogs can't remember?

Not necessarily– a lot of factors imply that dogs can remember.

Dogs have something called 'associative memory', which means that most of their behaviour is decided by their previous association with things.

For example, you have probably seen YouTube videos with titles similar to 'my dog knows he is going to the vet, and he doesn't like it.' Where the dog in the video is clearly uncomfortable when they pull up to the vet.

For us humans, it would be natural to think that the dog remembers the last time he went to the vet, and therefore it is stressing out now.

But this assumption is wrong. The dog can't even remember a glimpse of the last time he went to the vet. However, its 'associative memory' strikes. The dog has heard the word veterinarian before and therefore associates it with something bad based on previous experience.

The dog doesn't remember the vet vividly. Still, it recognises that a veterinarian is something that has caused it stress or anxiety before.

The 'associative memory' plays a big part in the dog's everyday life. It often leads to both outbursts of joy and dread. Because dogs can remember experiences, people and places based on what they associate them with.

Another example is when a dog gets excited about a walk. It associates your behaviour, like putting your shoes on, with a walk in the park.

As a dog owner, it can be sad to think that your dog doesn't remember the special moments the way humans do. But maybe we really have something to learn from our four-legged friends, such as remembering to seize the moment?

For dogs, the moment itself means as much as the memory we are left with– on good and bad terms.

Besides, the dog's associative memory is a blessing in disguise because, without this behaviour, it'd be impossible for us to train them. By creating new associations, you can completely transform its behaviour and therefore contribute to a better dog life by creating new associations.

The knowledge we have about a dog's associative memory could make all the difference for a dog owner. When you know how their minds work, you can start using this knowledge to create good associations for the dog. If your dog associates everything with something good, wouldn't it always be happy?

When you have guests who give the dog positive attention, the dog will associate them with something good the next time they meet. And on the contrary, if they provide the dog negative attention, the dog will have a more reluctant behaviour toward that person the next time they meet.

Could have an episodical short time memory

Even if the dog's memory works quite differently from how our brains work, we can't completely exclude the possibility that dogs can still remember something, but for short periods—a so-called episodical short time memory.

A study conducted in Budapest implies that dogs can look back at a few previous experiences. However, they will only remember it for a short time.

For example, it might remember that you walked out the door ten minutes ago. Still, it will likely not remember a walk that happened over a month ago.

What do we know about dogs memory

Can your dog remember its last visit to the vet, does it think back on its younger days– or can it remember anything at all? 

What we know about dogs memory 

Before dog food was typical to find on shop shelves, it was normal to feed the dog leftover food. Some people still do, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, many people are not aware of the things they should not feed their dog.

Knowing what is good for your dog's digestion system is important, but even more so, it is essential to know what can cause harm to your dog's digestion.

Not all dogs react the same way to all foods, and it is not uncommon for a dog to pass gas when something new is introduced to their diets. And even though some foods might be relatively safe to eat, it doesn't mean your dog will take advantage of the nutrients in them.

Dogs can safely eat bread without causing them too much harm. However, it should not be a big part of their diet, but it contains no nutritional value. On the contrary, in large doses, bread consumption can lead to overweight and diabetes, as it has many sugar and carbs. The gluten can also cause a bit of a distressed bowel, leading to some really smelly farts.

Carrots are safe and sound for a dog to eat. It even contains valuable nutrition, and it can be consumed both cooked and raw. Carrots are an excellent replacement for dog treats if you seek to trim some fat off your dog. The vegetable contains few calories, is rich in fibre, and has many valuable minerals and vitamins.

Blueberries are also a safe alternative for dogs. They contain a lot of valuable nutrition and can work as a replacement for dog treats. The berries are full of antioxidants, fibre, minerals, vitamins and is nothing but good for your dog. However, you should not feed your dog anything but blueberries. It still needs other foods.

If you want to provide your dog with a healthy reward, then oranges can be a good option. They contain a lot of valuable nutrition and only a few calories. However, keep in mind that too much orange could cause a bit of a 'fart-o-rama', as the acidity in the orange can upset a dog's stomach if it overeats.

Dogs can safely eat small amounts of pineapple. The fruits natural acidity could cause a distressed bowel if it overconsumed. With the right doses, the pineapple will provide valuable minerals, vitamins and fibre.

Your dog can safely consume strawberries. They contain loads of valuable nutrition. It is rich in antioxidants, fibre and vitamins.

Don't exaggerate your dog's celery consumption. However, in small doses, this can be a low calory reward snack rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals.

There is nothing wrong with providing your dog with bananas. The berry is rich in vitamins, minerals and is high in fibre.

Boiled potatoes can safely be consumed. Raw potatoes are poisonous to dogs. The raw potato contains solanine, which can be lethal to dogs.

Boiled potatoes are fine, but are high in carbs, so don't exaggerate.

Some cheese is fine; however, it is high in fats and lactose, leading to an overweight and fart-full dog. If your dog is lactose intolerant, then cheese is a big no-no.

Your dog can safely eat cooked eggs. Raw eggs can contain salmonella, so refrain from that.

Eggs are high in protein, which is good for your dog. But remember, eggs are also high in cholesterol, so do not exaggerate for your dog's artilleries sake.

Fish is probably one of the better things you can feed your dog. It contains healthy fats and amino acids; it is rich in proteins and vitamins. Pick out the biggest and sharpest bones, but tiny soft bones can still be safely consumed. The bones are rich in calcium too.

Ham can be consumed in small doses. It often contains a lot of salt and fat, which isn't great for your dog. However, small amounts are fine.

For mist dogs, drinking milk is fine unless they are lactose intolerant. Make sure to pay attention to how your dog reacts after consuming milk. Farting and diarrhoea mean that you should stop feeding your dog things that contain lactose.

It will be unproblematic for a dog to eat shrimp as long as they are boiled and peeled. Shrimp contain a lot of antioxidants, vitamin B-12, is low on carbs, fats and calories.

Mushrooms are generally healthy for dogs. Just make sure you do not feed it anything that would also be poisonous to humans. Mushrooms contain a lot of healthy antioxidants, minerals and are low on carbs and fats.

Popcorn can safely be consumed by dogs. Do not exaggerate the amount, and refrain from feeding them salted or buttered popcorn, it will make it unhealthy.

Due to toxic substances found in both grapes and raisins, dogs should not eat this. The substances are harmful to the dog's organs and can, among other things, lead to kidney failure.

Onions may look innocent, taste good, and are healthy for us, but the reality is different for dogs. This vegetable contains a toxic substance called n-propyl disulphide, which the researchers believe damages the dog's red blood cells that transport the blood efficiently around the body. The result can then be that the dog becomes limp and weak, loses appetite and in some cases faints. If this condition develops far enough, the dog may need blood transfusions. The advice not to let the dog eat onions also applies to garlic.

Even in small amounts, chocolate can be very harmful to the dog's health. This is due to the stimulant's theobromine and caffeine, which dogs cannot digest. Dark chocolate is more dangerous than lighter chocolate, but the dog should not have either.

Dehydration, vomiting and diarrhoea can be symptoms of chocolate poisoning. If the dog has ingested large enough amounts, internal bleeding, uncontrolled muscle contractions, epileptic seizures, and death can occur in the worst case.

Can dogs eat mango? 

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