What Cockapoos Should Not Eat

The cockapoo, also called cockerpoo or cock-a-poo, is a hybrid breed.

Cockapoos are part cocker spaniel and part poodle, with characteristics of both breeds. According to My Cockapoo Friends, cockapoos should be fed a premium dry dog food two to three times per day. Like all dogs, cockapoos should not eat certain foods such as chocolate, alcohol, avocados, meat or fish bones, certain nuts and certain fruits and vegetables.

According to Dog Food Scoop, chocolate poisoning is the most common form of dog poisoning. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, a stimulant also found in cola and tea. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate have the highest levels of theobromine. However, milk chocolate and white chocolate are also dangerous to cockapoos. Initial signs of chocolate poisoning emerge within two four hours of ingestion and may include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and frequent urination. Advanced symptoms include twitching, stiffness, tremors, hyperactivity and sensitivity to noise. Without treatment, a dog could die within 12 to 36 hours. Coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages produce similar symptoms.

Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine or liquor contain ethanol, which is poisonous to cockapoos. Early symptoms of alcohol poisoning include diminished coordination, vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced breathing and slow heart rate. Severe poisoning may result in liver damage, brain damage, coma and death.

Avocado pits, leaves, stems and bark contain persin, which is poisonous to all animals.

Persin poisoning may damage the lungs or heart. Early symptoms are breathing problems.

Advanced symptoms include swelling of the abdomen and fluid accumulation in the abdomen, chest and heart. The amount of fat in avocados can also cause vomiting, abdominal discomfort and pancreatitis.

Bones are not poisonous. However, feeding a cockapoo a bone may lead to an obstruction in the digestive system or laceration along the gastrointestinal tract. Cooked bones, chicken and especially pork bones are the most dangerous and most likely to splinter. Symptoms include abdominal sensitivity, vomiting, rectal bleeding and whimpering.

Raw bones are considered to be safe. However, dogs should be supervised at all times to avoid ingestion of a jagged edge.

Certain nuts are dangerous to cockapoos.

Macadamia nuts may damage muscle tissue, the nervous system and affect digestion.

Symptoms of macadamia poisoning include tremors, weakness in the hind legs, raised temperature, fast heart rate and anxiety. Walnuts, pecans, pistachios and Brazil nuts contain small amounts of aflatoxin, which is toxic to dogs and can cause liver cells to die.

That decreases liver function and can lead to gastroenteritis. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, diminished appetite and listlessness.

Raisins and grapes contain an unidentified toxin that causes kidney damage in cockapoos. Onions and garlic contain disulfides and sulfoxides, which can cause damage to a cockapoo's red blood cells, resulting in anaemia.

Mushrooms contain toxins that affect multiple areas in the cockapoo's body. Mushroom poisoning can lead to death.