Being a responsible pet parent goes beyond cuddles and playtime. It also means knowing what not to feed your pets, which is just as important as knowing what they need. Many everyday foods that are safe and even healthy for humans can be extremely harmful to cats and dogs. While it might feel like a sweet gesture to share a bite from your plate, your furry friend’s digestive system works very differently from yours. Feeding them the wrong treat can lead to serious health problems, including vomiting, organ failure, or worse. The article sheds light on various foods poisonous to dogs and cats, and pet health tips to help them stay healthy.
Also Read: Natural Pet Care: Ayurveda Benefits For Skin, Immunity, And Digestion
What Not To Feed Your Pets?
Keeping pets healthy involves more than just love. Vigilance about what goes into their food bowl is non-negotiable. Even a well-meaning treat can go wrong if it includes certain items. Always rely on vet-approved treats and meals, and when in doubt, consult a professional before introducing anything new to your pet’s diet.To help you keep your pets safe and healthy, the article has a list of 10 toxic foods that should not be a part of your lovely four-legged companions. Keep these toxic foods out of reach!
Caffeinated Beverages And Products
Caffeine is a potent stimulant that can play havoc in a pet’s heart and nervous system. Coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, cocoa, chocolate, and certain pain medications all have caffeine. In pets, even small amounts can trigger restlessness, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, tremors, and seizures. Unlike humans, pets cannot metabolise caffeine efficiently, making it dangerous.
Macadamia Nuts
Though not fatal in most cases, macadamia nuts can cause a strange set of symptoms in dogs. Weakness in the hind legs, vomiting, tremors, high body temperature, and depression are a few examples. Since pets rarely show interest in nuts, incidents are rarer, but caution is still advised.
Table Salt And Salty Snacks
Excessive salt intake can cause electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and sodium ion poisoning in pets. A few chips or salted popcorn kernels may seem harmless, but if consumed frequently or in larger quantities, pets can suffer from symptoms like extreme thirst, vomiting, lethargy, tremors, or seizures.
Raw Yeast Dough
Raw dough poses two major threats: it expands in the warm, moist stomach environment, potentially causing blockages or stomach rupture; and as it ferments, it produces ethanol, which can lead to alcohol toxicity. Signs may present as a swollen abdomen, episodes of vomiting, difficulty walking, or intense stomach discomfort.
Onions, Garlic, Leeks, And Chives
Allium family foods are toxic in all forms for your pets, be it raw, cooked, or dried, and can damage their red blood cells. Even small doses over time can add up. Symptoms include vomiting, weakness, pale gums, high heart rate, and dark-coloured urine.
Fatty And Greasy Foods
Fried foods and gravy-heavy meals may smell tempting to your pet, but such high-fat foods can lead to inflammation of the pancreas. Early symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, a hunched back, and refusal to eat. Chronic exposure can also lead to obesity, diabetes, and liver disease.
Foods Made With Alcohol
Alcohol affects pets much faster than it does humans. Foods prepared with alcohol (such as cakes) can result in vomiting, poor coordination, depressed breathing, tremors, or toxicity. Ethanol, the main ingredient in alcoholic drinks, and hops (used in brewing beer) are both extremely toxic to dogs and cats. Always keep it away from pets.
Spoiled Leftovers
Spoiled food and mouldy leftovers are a breeding ground for mycotoxins; substances produced by certain fungi that are neurotoxic to pets. Trash scavenging or being fed expired food can result in muscle tremors, high fever, vomiting, and seizures. Blue cheese contains roquefortine C, which is especially dangerous for dogs.
Citrus Fruits
All citrusy fruits contain citric acid and essential oils that can irritate pet’s stomach. While a lick may cause only mild discomfort, ingestion in larger amounts can depress the central nervous system or harm the liver. Citrus essential oils used in cleaning agents or aromatherapy diffusers pose an even greater threat.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg contains a natural compound called myristicin, which can cause hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and even seizures in pets. Often used in baked goods and seasonal recipes, it should always be kept away from pets. Also, watch out for other spices like clove or allspice, which contain eugenol, which may irritate the liver in cats.
(This content is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile: Preeti Sharma
Preeti Sharma has a Master's in Electronic Media and Mass Communication and certification in short-term writing from Florida. With close to a decade of experience, she specializes in crafting engaging blogs on beauty, veterinary care, and healthy cooking. Preeti is proficient in video editing tools and produces captivating and informative content across multiple platforms.
References:
Pet ownership and human health: a brief review of evidence and issues
June McNicholas, psychologist, Andrew Gilbey, lecturer, Ann Rennie, general practitioner, Sam Ahmedzai.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1289326/
https://international-animalhealth.com/
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics
