Top 10 Toxic Foods to Avoid Giving to Your Pets

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Toxic Foods to Avoid Giving to Your Pets

We often think of our pets as one of the family, which they are. But they are not human. Foods that are safe for us may not be safe for our pets and could be toxic to our furry friends. They have allergies just like we do. We need to be aware of what foods to avoid giving to our pets. In general, we are told not to give human food to our cats, dogs, birds and rodents. This means no table scrapes, though most of us are guilty of saving a piece of meat or some potato chips for Tabatha or Fido. We are conditioned to look into those pleading sad eyes and give in.

In general, nature eliminates toxic foods before they do harm by vomiting and diarrhea, before they can be absorbed and cause serious illness. If you suspect your pet has eaten any type of toxic food, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

This is a list of the top 10 toxic foods to avoid giving your pets as listed with the ASPCA.

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West Paw Design Dam Beaver Squeak Toy for Dogs, Chocolate

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Only chocolate that should be given to your pet is a squeaky toy.

1. Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine 

Puppies

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My husband's aunt fed their dog a small Tootsie Roll every day. This dog lived a long life. Perhaps a Tootsie Roll isn't that toxic. But chocolate, coffee and some nuts contain substances called methylxanthines. This chemical is found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. If you dog or cat ingest too much of these, they can have severe vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate has a higher level of methylxanthines and is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level.

2. Alcohol 

Hare of the Dog

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It goes without saying to not give your pets alcohol. Some people actually get a kick out of getting their pets drunk. Even a small amount of alcohol can be devastating to a pet. To do this intentional is animal abuse. Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

3. Avocado 

Avocado

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The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin. This can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds, pet mice and other rodents can be poisoned as well. Avocados will trigger fluid accumulation in the lungs and chest, causing congestion, leading to difficulty breathing and death due to oxygen deprivation. Fluid accumulation can also occur in the heart, pancreas and abdomen.

Nutty Squirrel Nut Cracker 

RSVP International Nutty Squirrel Nut Cracker

Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 12/23/2009)Buy Now

This is a favorite whimsical gift that you may want to keep for yourself! The "Nutty Squirrel" is handsomely detailed in cast aluminum, and he loves to crack nuts. Simply lift his tail and place the nut in his mouth. Press his tail down, and the nut is cracked!

4. Macadamia Nuts 

Though all nuts are not safe

All About Cats

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Macadamia nuts are the most toxic of all the nuts in dogs and cats. These famous Hawaiian nuts are considered toxic to dogs because they tend to cause gastrointestinal upsets, lethargy, vomiting and muscle tremors or stiffness. As few as six nuts can cause severe poisoning. Macadamia nuts and walnuts are toxic to dogs, and these foods can also trigger pancreatitis.

Peanuts can trigger a deadly allergic reaction. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

5. Grapes & Raisins 

Orange Cat in Raisin Box
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A handful of raisins or grapes can make a pet ill. If your dog or cat ingests large amounts of grapes or raisins, they can experience kidney failure. There are cases where animals have died. Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.

6. Yeast Dough 

Doughs For Pizza petshirt
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Though this is six on the ASPCA list, to me it seems unlikely that someone would give their pet yeast dough. Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet's digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or 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. But these treats should not constitute more than 5 to 10 percent of your pet's daily caloric intake.

Our dog is on a prescription for life. We were told by the vet to fold the pill in bread. She never told us that bread might be unsafe.

7. Raw or Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones 

Salmonella and E. coli that is found in raw meat and eggs can be just as 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. Raw bones are not recommended to give to your pet. It can be dangerous for a domestic pet. Your pet could choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet's digestive tract.

8. Xylitol 

Xylitol is used as a substitute sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. This can cause liver failure by increasing insulin to harmful levels in most animals. An increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia. Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. This can progress to seizures. Liver failure can be seen within a few days.

9. Onions, Garlic and Chives 

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I knew that onions were not something our foster dog, Trixie should eat. But she was like a vacuum in the kitchen. The day that I was chopping onions and accidentally spilled half of the chopped onions on the floor, it was already too late to retrieve. We kept an eye on her, but she showed no signs of sickness.

These types of vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Onions can destroy red blood cells in dogs and cats causing anemia. Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Though onions are more of a danger to their system, this is more of a problem for cats than dogs, but not recommended to give to either. Symptoms include Hemolytic Anemia, labored breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea, and discolored urine. Onion powder is toxic to dogs.

10. Milk 

Dog and a Cat Drink Milk from a Large Bowl

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Abdominal cramps and diarrhea are the usual symptoms and maybe severe. Adult dogs and cats are lactose-intolerant. They don't have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. It isn't even recommended to give cow's milk to kittens or puppies.

My sister-in-law is always telling us how she gives a bowl of milk to the farm cats and kittens, though we tell her that she shouldn't do this. Later on, she complains that they have diarrhea.

Woofing it Down 

Woofing it Down: The quick & easy guide to making healthy dog food at home

Amazon Price: $11.69 (as of 12/23/2009)Buy Now

If you want to make your own healthy food for your dog, then this is the book to get.

Additional Foods Not to Give to Your Pet 

Salt can cause excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Too much salt can produce vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death.

Tomatoes, potatoes and rhubarb contain oxalates, which trigger abnormalities with the nervous system, kidneys and digestive tract. Especially toxic are green tomatoes, green potatoes, potato skins, and tomato leaves and plants, can trigger tremors, seizure and heart arrhythimia, so tomatoes should never be given to dogs.

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Pets give us unconditional love. They count on us to give them a good home and keep them safe. Being aware of the toxic foods to avoid is one way to keep our pets safe.

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Lensmaster sandyspider has been a member since July 4 2008, has rated 1,916 lenses, favorited 3,338, and has created 121 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Christmas in Hawaii". See all my lenses

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