Sharing a bite from your plate may feel loving, but some everyday foods can be harmful or even life-threatening to pets. Knowing the risks helps you keep your companions safe.
Foods to Keep Away from Pets
- Chocolate and cocoa: contain theobromine and caffeine, which affect the heart and nervous system.
- Grapes and raisins: linked to kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts.
- Onions, garlic, and chives: can damage red blood cells, especially in cats.
- Xylitol: an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum, some peanut butters, and baked goods. It is very dangerous for dogs.
- Macadamia nuts: may cause weakness and tremors in dogs.
- Alcohol and caffeine: can cause serious poisoning.
- Cooked bones: can splinter and injure the digestive tract.
Fatty Table Scraps
Rich, fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially serious condition.
What to Do in an Emergency
If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or a local animal poison control service immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear, and do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to.
Prevention Tips
- Store food securely and use lidded trash cans.
- Tell guests and children not to feed your pet.
- Check ingredient labels for xylitol.