Every pet owner likes to occasionally give his or her pet a bite of people food. Your pets like it, it makes you feel good, and it does not do any harm — as long as you give only small amounts and avoid feeding any human foods that can be toxic to pets. Our Burbank veterinarian would like to remind pet parents that many human foods can harm dogs and cats. If you think your dog or cat has ingested any of the following toxic human foods, call Rainbow Veterinary Clinic right away for advice.
Avoid Feeding Your Pet These Foods
Many human foods are perfectly safe for dogs and cats, but there are also many people foods that can make your pet desperately ill. Protect your cat or dog by educating yourself. Keep the following foods away from your furry friend:
- Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in many sugarless gums
- Undercooked or raw meat, bones, and eggs. Raw and undercooked meat and eggs can contain bacteria that could harm your pet. Bones, raw or cooked, can splinter and injury your pet internally.
- Chives, onion, or garlic
- Avocado
- Alcohol
- Yeast dough, which can expand dangerously in your pet’s stomach
- Salty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Grapes and raisins
Other human foods that can pose a threat to your dog or cat include coffee, chocolate, and foods or drinks that contain caffeine. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which are poisonous to pets. The higher the concentration of pure cocoa in a product, the more toxic it is. Unsweetened baker’s chocolate is the most toxic to dogs and cats, while milk chocolate is much less toxic and may not even cause problems at all if eaten in small quantities. If your dog eats a chocolate product, call our vet right away for advice. Many pets get ill due to the lactose in milk chocolate. Remember that most pets are lactose intolerant!
Has your pet ever eaten a toxic human food? What did you do about it? Tell us in the comments!
