There are particular foods that we humans love to eat and may be nutritious for us but may be dangerous for our pets. Feeding our pets these foods may only make them unhealthy or even make them really sick enough to take them to the veterinary doctor in urbane scrubs. Below are some of the foods that you should avoid giving your pets.
Chocolates, Coffee and Caffeine
Cacao seeds contain a substance called methylxanthines which, when ingested by pets, can cause diarrhea, vomiting, panting, urination, excessive thirst, tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, hyperactivity, seizures, and even death. Thus, you should never feed your pet any product that contains cacao or caffeine as a major ingredient including chocolates, coffee, and coca sodas. Take note that dark chocolates contain more cacao than milk chocolate and that white chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines. Baking chocolate has the highest level of methylxanthines.
Avocado
Avocado fruit, including its leaves, seeds and bark contain Persin, an ingredient that can cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. Rodents and birds are also very sensitive to avocado poisoning, the ingestion of which can cause difficulty of breathing, congestion, and fluid accumulation around the heart. In some cases, avocado poisoning may be fatal to these pets.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts, while delicious for humans especially when used in candies and cookies, can be very dangerous for dogs. Macadamia nuts have been known to cause vomiting, tremors, weakness, hyperthermia, and depression in dogs. The symptoms can appear within 12 hours of eating macadamia nuts and can last for as long as 12 to 48 hours.
Raisins, Prunes and Grapes
Raisins, prunes, grapes and other similar fruits have known to cause kidney failure in animals, especially those with certain health problems. However, the toxic substances in these fruits are unknown.
Alcohol
Food products with alcohol as an ingredient, especially alcoholic beverages, ca cause diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, poor coordination, abnormal blood acidity, tremors, depression in central nervous system, coma, and even death in animals when ingested.
Raw Meat, Eggs and Bones
Raw or undercooked meat and eggs can contain bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella which may be harmful to pets. Raw eggs also contain avidin, an enzyme that decreases the absorption of the B vitamin, biotin, which is essential to having a health coat and skin. Raw bones can be dangerous for domestic pets as they may choke on these, since they are not used to eating in the wild. Splinters from the bones can also become lodge and puncture their digestive tract.
Garlic, Onions and Chives
These powerful herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation in some pets and lead to red blood cell damage. Cats are more susceptible to this problem but dogs are also at a risk if large amounts of garlic, onions, chives, or such herbs are ingested.
Milk
Milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhea and digestive upset in pets because they do not have enough amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk.
Yeast Dough
Yeast dough can cause gas to accumulate in the pet's digestive system. When this happens, it can be painful and even cause the intestines or stomach to rupture. While pets can have bits of bread and baked treats, it should not consist more than 10 percent of their daily caloric intake.
