Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet
Posted on Mar 18, 2010 11:35am PDT
While most dogs and cats are able to stomach pretty much anything you put on their plate, there are some foods veterinarians warn can be particularly harmful to your furry friends. In fact, if you are going to feed your pet anything other than dog or cat food, it’s best to ensure they receive only natural and fresh foods and ingredients. That being said, even some of the healthiest foods for humans can be very unhealthy for your pet. Some of the foods you should never give to your dog or cat include:
- Grapes and Raisins: very toxic, avoid whole grapes and raisins or foods with grapes and raisins as ingredients. Can cause kidney damage.
- Avocados: can cause diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain in dogs
- Mushrooms: some species of mushrooms are very toxic to dogs, and can even lead to death.
- Chicken Bones: bones aren’t toxic but they can be dangerous as they can get stuck in the animal’s throat, intestines, or in the roof of their mouth.
- Tomatoes: could lead to gastrointestinal problems for cats. Avoid whole tomatoes or any food products that contain tomatoes.
- Garlic and Onions: both are toxic to both cats and dogs. Can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. Both raw and cooked garlic and onions are harmful.
- Milk & Dairy: approximately 50% of dogs are lactose intolerant. Could lead to severe diarrhea.
- Chocolate: is highly toxic to both cats and dogs. Large quantities can lead to coma or death, but more often the side effects of consuming chocolate include diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems.
- Macadamia Nuts: can cause diarrhea, stomach pains and vomiting in dogs.
- Xylitol: this sugar substitute is often found in candies and sugarless baked goods, and is highly toxic to dogs. The ASPCA estimates that within 30 minutes of consuming something containing Xylitol, a dog may experience a drastic drop in blood sugar, followed by lethargy and coma. Other side effects include seizures, internal hemorrhaging, lesions, liver failure, or even death. It is believed that as little as two or three sticks of gum could kill a 20 lb dog.
It’s best to consult your veterinarian for more information about what you should and should not feed your pet. Click here to search for a vet in your neighborhood.