10 Foods Never to Feed Your Dogs
Alcohol: All alcoholic beverages and food products
containing alcohol can have disastrous effects on the human liver and brain, and the effects
are amplified for our pets. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause vomiting,
diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty
breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.
Avocado: This fruit contains Persin, a toxic component
which has adverse effects on the heart and lungs of our pets, and can cause
vomiting and diarrhea.
Caffeine: I love my morning coffee, and indeed tea and
coffee are known for their positive effects on our health. But the same is not true for our
pets. These products all contain methylxanthines, and when ingested by pets,
methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and
urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm and seizures.
Chocolate: You probably already know this one, but you
should never share a bite of your favorite chocolate bar with your pet. The theobromine
in chocolate can cause irregular heart beats in dogs and cats, which could
prove fatal. Don’t even let your dog lick the chocolate frosting on that cake.
Grapes & Raisins: It’s unclear what it is about grapes and
raisins that creates problems, but it is certain that these fruits can cause
kidney failure in dogs and cats, so don’t leave them lying around.
Milk: As a child, I watched my mother giving our cat
Timmy a bowl of milk every day, so this one was a total surprise to me. Mom was
making a big mistake: cats do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the
enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), which means that milk and other
milk-based products may cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.
Onions & Garlic: You may love to cook with a perfect combination
of these two, but onions and garlic are highly toxic to animals. Onions, in particular, have a destructive effect on your pet’s
red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, breathing troubles and weakness.
Raw/Undercooked Meat,
Eggs, Bones: Some people may
consider raw bones to be a natural food for dogs, but they are definitely a
choking hazard. Raw meat and raw eggs also may contain Salmonella and E.coli
bacteria, which can affect your pet’s health. In addition, raw eggs contain an
enzyme called avidin that restricts the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin),
leading to skin and coat problems.
Salt: Too much salt produces excessive thirst and urination,
or even sodium poisoning. Don’t let your pet have any of those salty chips, or
you may find she is throwing up, has diarrhea, tremors or an elevated body
temperature.
Xylitol: Candy, chewing gum, peanut butter, and baked
goods may contain a sweetener called Xylitol, which can cause insulin release
in most species, potentially leading to liver failure. The increase in insulin
triggers a sudden fall in blood glucose level, and this could cause seizures
and/or loss of coordination.
Of course, even if you
know what to avoid feeding your cats or dogs, they do have minds of their own,
and accidents can happen. If you suspect your pet has eaten any of these foods,
note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal
Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Updated list for 2017 of even more things that can harm your beloved pet: https://www.thegoodypet.com/bad-toxic-foods-for-dogs
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/10-foods-you-should-never-give-your-cat-or-dog.html#ixzz3jeP3blYu