We all know that pets aren’t supposed to have people food. But let’s face it, it happens… Something falls on the floor when you’re cooking dinner and your pet is quickly there, vacuuming up the crumbs. When you’re not looking, they steal pieces of food off the plate or scraps left on your coffee table when you walk away for a few seconds.
There are some healthy “people foods” for pets but there are also foods that are dangerous to our feline friends and canine companions. Here’s a list of the most common foods that are toxic to your pet along with tips on what to do if your pet happens to get a hold of any of these substances.
Avocado
Studies have shown that avocado leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain a toxin called Persin. According to the ASPCA, the Guatemalan variety, which is commonly found in stores, contains the most toxicity. Persin in avocado can cause vomiting and diarrhea for dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.
Onions, Onion Powder, Chives and Garlic
These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are at a greater risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your pets large quantities of these foods.
Grapes and Raisins
These can be toxic to dogs and cause kidney failure. There are still many unknowns about the toxicity of grapes and raisins, including whether only certain types of dogs are affected, but it is advised not to feed grapes or raisins to dogs in any amount.
Yeast Dough
Dough that is not cooked and contains yeast can rise in your pet’s stomach, causing pain, and can potentially cause the intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.
Raw/Undercooked Meat and Eggs
Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria that are harmful to pets. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems.
Left-over Bones
Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.
Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeine
The substances in chocolate, coffee, and caffeine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and potentially death in pets. The higher the cocoa percentage, the more dangerous the chocolate is, making dark chocolate more toxic than milk or white chocolate. All these products can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even death.
What do you do if your pet ate something poisonous?
If your animal is having seizures or losing consciousness, bring him or her to your veterinarian or emergency vet center. If your pet is not showing symptoms, but ingested something potentially toxic, call the ASPCA hotline at (888) 426-4435. Have the following information available: the species, breed, age, sex, weight, and information about the product exposure. It is best to have the package of the product available for reference.
For a list of foods potentially poisonous to pets, check out HumaneSociety.org.