Article: Dangerous Foods and Substances for Dogs, Cats and Other Pets
Foods and other Substances that are Known to be Toxic and Dangerous for Dogs, Cats and Pets
By:Thom Williams, Animal Healings,Animal Communication &Animal Reiki Master
When we think of dangerous toxins to our pets, we immediately think of the standard household cleaners under the sink and bathroom. The fact is that more pets end up in the vet emergency room from many common human foods right off your kitchen table and household plants. The statics of pet toxic emergencies tracked by pet insurance companies are alarming. The fact is the list of foods dangerous for dogs, cats and other pets is so long, its pretty difficult to remember every item day to day. Have a printed copy handy just so you can prevent an accidental poisoning.
Our dogs, cats, birds and even reptiles seem to have a bigger curiosity about our human foods and household plants more than anything else. Holidays escalate these matters due to chocolate candies and shiny wrapped sweet candy goods being displayed all over the home and within easy reach of most pets.
No Fast Food Burgers for Fluffy!
Did you know that foods cooked in onions can pose a serious threat to your cats' immune system, and depending on the health of the cat, it can even cause a type of anemic shock which can be fatal. No fast food burgers for Fluffy! Before Fido and Fluffy come to the table looking so cute that you can't resist giving them a few table scrapes - better check the list below. It's hard to say "no", but if it's on the list below you simply have to to say no for better health and safety of the ones you love forever.
You (and your family) can help prevent an expensive trip to the vet, and avoid a potentially life threatening event for your cherished pet family member(s) by arming yourself with the knowledge of the list below andthe plant information on the following page) of what can potentially hurt your pets.
How Animal Healings Can Help
If you have a pet that is always curious about tasting items off the ground, or eating things it shouldn't, Animal Healings professional animal communicator can be a great option for you and your pet family. We have conducted sessions with pet families and helped many different species of pets understand the dangers of their actions and behaviors. Please see our testimonials to better understand how we have helped many pet families!
Please feel free to Tweet, Facebook and share this list of foods dangerous for dogs, cats and other pets with all your pet loving social media friends & family. As mentioned earlier - keep a printed copy on hand just in case you need to know the information fast. Just like poison control for you children, you can call pet poison control for your pets:
For poison-related emergencies, call your regular Vet, 24 hour Emergency Vet or the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.List of dangerous household plants
E-cigarette Warning for Pets
New warnings are being issued about the rise of nicotine ingestion emergencies at pet poison control centers and vets across the USA. The shiny and colorful packing is extremely attractive to dogs and they see it placed up to human's mouth and lips frequently so they make a food connection These E-cig products are now more frequently coming in sweet flavors attractive to dogs too.
Cats can be affected by the Propylene Glycol in E-Cigs, the vapor behind the product can caused severe red blood cell damage in felines.
Symptoms for dogs, cats and most pets include vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, elevations in heart rate and respiration rate, depression, tremors, ataxia, weakness, seizures, cyanosis, coma, and cardiac arrest.
Dangerous Foods for Dogs, Cats and Other Pets:
- Apple Seeds:
- Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.
- Avocados:
- Avocados contain a toxin known as persin and is in various parts of the avocado and avocado trees which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Mostly small pets, birds and pets with compromised immune systems are most affected.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda:
- Baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents. Ingestion of large amounts of baking soda or baking powder can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium and/or high sodium), congestive heart failure or muscle spasms
- Beer Wine /Mixed Drinks / Alcohols :
- Drinks and food that contains alcohol are never good for your pets. Alcohol has the same effect on a pet's liver and brain that it has on humans. The smaller the pet, the greater the effect. With pets it leads to vomiting, diarrhea, depression, difficulty breathing, coma, and possible death. Just because you are the life of the party, don't share it with Fido or Fluffy - ever!
- Bones :
- Small bones can splinter when dogs and cats chews them, fish, poultry, or other meat sources are usually the worst culprits. These splinters can cut the inside of your cat's mouth and throat, or get stuck on the way down and choke her. Additionally, bones can cause obstructions or lacerations of the digestive system.
- Chocolates:
- Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine which is toxic to all pets and if enough is ingested, your pet can suffer vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and possible death. Cocoa mulch in gardens contains theobromine; the ASPCA advises pet owners to avoid using this landscaping item around unsupervised dogs, and dogs with indiscriminate eating habits since it can be toxic. Depending on the type of chocolate ingested and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. The high fat content in chocolate may result in vomiting and possibly diarrhea. Once toxic levels are eaten, the stimulant effect becomes apparent. You may notice restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and possibly excessive panting. Heart rate and blood pressure levels may also be increased. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases.
- Candy, Gum, Toothpaste, Mouthwash with Xylitol (sugar replacement):
- Chocolate candy is one the most common candies that is toxic to pets, especially to dogs, cats and ferrets (see above.) Other candies, chewing gums, toothpastes and thousands of human food products containing the sugar replacement / sweetener xylitol can be toxic to pets. Hard candies can also be a choking hazard as well as candy wrappers. Keep candy out of reach and out of sight of paws for curious pets, especially during holidays when it's usually placed in dishes around the home for guests.
- Cat food:
- (for dogs) Generally too high in protein and fats.
- Citrus oil extracts:
- Can cause vomiting and nervous system issues.
- Coffee, Tea & Caffeine:
- (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans, Caffeine in all forms; pills, liquids, candy, other foods) is highly toxic to pets, having negative effects on both the cardiac and nervous systems. Side effects can include vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and possible death.
- Eggs (Raw):
- While cooked eggs are high in protein and make an excellent treat, raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin, which can deplete your cat of biotin, one of the B vitamins (Biotin is essential to your cat's growth and coat care). Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella .
- Fruits & pits:
- especially those of apricots & pits, peaches & pits, plums, nectarines, and cherries & pits
- Garlic:
- (see "onions" )
- Grapes and Raisins:
- A toxin in grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure and ultimately lead to death. Symptoms of this poisoning can include hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, and irregular heartbeat. Grapes can also be a choking hazard to certain pets who gorge on food.
- Herbs, Essential oils and Herbal Remedies:
- While holistic medicine is one of the best approaches to pet care, not all herbal remedies that humans use are safe for pets. Some essential oils and herbs can be toxic and even fatal to certain species of animals. Always consult with your holistic vet before using any remedies.
- Hops:
- (used in home beer brewing) Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.
- Human medications (prescriptions and over the counter drugs OTC - some):
- While vets do prescribe some human medications for pets, most are highly toxic and fatal. Acetaminophen, ( Tylenol ) and other similar products, can be fatal to cats. Only use human medicines on the advice and exact dosages given by your vet for each pet. Each pet's weight, age, breed and other factors have to be considered when your vet prescribes these medicines.
- Human vitamin supplements:
- Vitamins containing iron, can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.
- Liver :
- In small amounts, liver is good for a cat, but too much of it can cause nutritional problems. Liver has a high amount of vitamin A. Consumption of this vitamin in large amounts can lead to vitamin A toxicity, which affects bones. Therefore, NEVER feed your cat any liver, raw or otherwise, if she is also on vitamin A supplements
- Marijuana:
- Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.
- Milk:
- If your pet has been drinking cow's milk since she was a kitten, and has never had any problems, you are the proud owner of a truly lucky pet. We always see images of cats lapping up bowls of milk, but the truth is, many cats are lactose-intolerant — unable to produce the enzyme lactase — they cannot break down the lactose, or milk sugar, in dairy products. Contrary to popular belief, milk just doesn't sit well with cats. If your cat drinks milk and you observe symptoms of diarrhea or dehydration, you should consider the possibility that she is lactose-intolerant. To avoid or correct the problem, without eliminating the milk that your cat craves, you can purchase lactose-free brands of milk specially formulated for your cat.
- Moldy foods:
- Moldy or spoiled food, garbage: Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.
- Mushroom plants:
- Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.
- Mustard seeds:
- unknown toxins have been reported to cause issues with pets.
- Nuts:
- A toxin in all nuts (especially Macadamia & Walnuts ) can have negative effects on the nervous, digestive, and muscular systems of your pet. Symptoms can include muscle tremors, weakness, an upset stomach, vomiting, depression, inactivity, and stiffness. Nuts can also pose a choking hazard. (Also see Peanut Butter)
- Nutmeg:
- You may not realized this but high levels of nutmeg can be toxic, even fatal. The toxic principle is not well understood. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death.
- Onions / Onion Powder:
- ( Onion powder used in most fast foods) along with garlic and chives, raw and cooked onions contain N-propyl disulphide, a compound that, while harmless to humans, can destroy the red blood cells in cats, dogs, horses, sheep and cattle . All part of the same species of plant, the Allium species, which contain sulfur compounds that can cause stomach irritation and can result in damage to red blood cells causing anemia, the condition is called Heinz body hemolytic anemia, which can also be referred to as Allium poisoning. Severe anemia in compromised pets can be fatal. Most cats will not be interested in onions unless they are cooked, but for good measure, section off your garden if you are growing onions. Do not feed your cat any leftovers that contain onions, and make sure your garbage cans are inaccessible.
- Peanut Butter:
- Some brands of Peanut Butter have sugar substitutes like Xylitol (see below) or other sugar and low fat substitues. Also see "nuts" above
- Potato leaves and stems:
- unknown toxins have been reported to cause issues with pets.
- Persimmons, peaches, and plums
- are a problem from their seeds or pits. Peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs. The difference is that humans know not to eat them.
- Pork:
- Fat is generally beneficial to cats, but the fat globules in pork are larger than the fat globules in other meats, and can clog the small blood vessels of a cat. Avoid any pork products, especially bacon, which contains the hazardous preservative, sodium nitrate.
- Raw meat:
- May contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli , which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Rhubarb leaves:
- Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.
- Salt:
- If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyteimbalances.
- String:
- Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."
- Sugary foods:
- (check your pets foods & treats, some manufactures add sugar) Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.
- Table scraps:
- (in large amounts) Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.
- Tobacco:
- Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heartbeat, collapse, coma, and death.
- Tomato leaves and stems::
- unknown toxins have been reported to cause issues with pets.
- Tuna:
- A little tuna is okay (Human canned tuna is much worse than if its prepared for pets with proper vitamins and supplements.) However, if your cat has become a tuna addict, the consequences could be terribly unpleasant. Tuna contains extremely high levels of methyl mercury, especially the red tuna used in some canned cat food. For a cat, too much tuna can lead to mercury poisoning.
And that's not all - human tuna canned in oil may also cause an illness called steatitis, or yellow fat disease, which involves inflammation of the fatty tissue in cats and is most often found in kittens. The oil in which the tuna is packed does not have the correct balance of antioxidants to polyunsaturated fats which leaves her susceptible to steatis. As with humans, a well balanced diet is always best for our pets. Seek the advice from your vet and/or a holistic pet food counselor. - Xylitol (sugar replacements found in many foods these days):
- can be extremely oxic to pets in just about any amounts. Be careful with various things like letting cats drink ceral milk that has had low sugar, low fat, or any item marked "sugar substitue" These all pose a serious threat to your pets health.
- Yeast dough:
- Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.
- Misc Toxic Household Items:
-
- Antifreeze
- Liquid potpourri
- Polyurethane glue
- Pennies
- Pine-oil cleaners
For poison-related emergencies, call your 24 hour Emergency Vet or the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
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