Not everything that you eat is safe for your pet to eat as well. What may be delicious to you could harm our furry friends! Here is a list of foods to avoid when it comes to pets:
Toxic Food for Your Pets
-
Xylitol - Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in some candy and gum- it can cause low blood glucose, seizures, or even liver failure in dogs.
-
Fruit pits - All fruit pits are potentially a choking hazard for pets, which could also block the intestines if swallowed. Cherry pits and apple seeds actually contain cyanide, which is a toxin.
-
Alcohol - It is never okay to give your dogs alcohol- it causes nervous system damage, liver problems, vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, coma and could ultimately lead to death. Seek veterinary help immediately if your dog has ingested any type of alcohol.
-
Onions and garlic - When pets consume large amounts of onions and garlic it causes red blood cell damage and anemia in our pets. It may also cause vomiting and diarrhea.
-
Caffeine - Dogs and cats are much more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than humans, and a large ingestion could lead to both cardiac and neurologic issues for your pet. Watch your pets around coffee grounds and diet pills, especially!
-
Chocolate - The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine. While humans are able to metabolize this easily, dogs do so more slowly, thus allowing it to build to toxic levels in their system. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine is present.
-
Grapes and raisins - While the toxic substance is unknown, ingestion of grapes and/or raisins could lead to kidney failure. Avoid feeding both to your dog!
-
Macadamia nuts - Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs and cause gastrointestinal issues, neurologic issues, and even hyperthermia.
-
Bread dough - When an animal consumes raw dough, it will expand in their stomach, causing it to bloat and potentially twist, which requires emergency surgery. Additionally, the yeast in the dough has ethanol in it, which is a toxin to your pets. If your pet consumes dough take them to the vet as soon as possible.
-
Dairy - Dogs and cats do not have significant amounts of lactase (an enzyme that breaks down lactose), so dairy products (such as milk) are not a good choice of food for your pets. It can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea.
Choose Healthy Treats for your Pets
We know your pets can be hard to resist at times when you are eating food but their safety is very important! Human food should always be fed to your pets in moderation. Too much of anything can cause your pets to gain weight and get sick.
Talk with your veterinarian about what foods are best for your pet. Especially if your pet has an underlying health concern, such as Diabetes or kidney disease.