Human Foods that are TOXIC to Your Pets!

[samanthac]

We know most of this already, but I thought I would post as a reminder and info to newbies...the most disturbing is # 4.

1. Chocolate can be lethal to pets -because it contains theobromine, which causes increased heart rate, central nervous system stimulation and constriction of arteries. Clinical symptoms range from vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, and excitability to cardiac failure, seizures and death. This can occur as quickly as four to six hours after ingestion. Baking chocolate is the worst because it contains the highest amount of theobromine. A potential lethal dose is only one pound of chocolate in a 16-pound dog. If your pet has gotten into chocolate you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

2. For people who think its funny to let their dog sip beer...Alcohol is also very bad for cats and dogs. It doesn't take much alcohol to intoxicate a pet. Animals will stagger and bump into things, hurting themselves, and it also causes them to urinate uncontrollably. In high doses, alcohol will suppress the central nervous, respiratory and cardiac systems and can lead to death. It is best to just give your pet water.

3. Milk is also not good for animals - many of them are lactose intolerant and will develop diarrhea. Pets often lack the enzyme that is required to break down the sugar in milk and this can cause them to develop
vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Even though they like it, especially cats, refrain from giving your pets milk.

4. Ham, bacon, lunchmeat and other salty/cured/smoked meats and foods are very dangerous to pets- In addition to being high in fat, they are also very salty which can cause serious stomach ache or pancreatitis. Also, large breeds of dogs that eat salty food may drink too much water and develop a life-threatening condition called "bloat." This is where the stomach fills up with gas and within several hours may twist, causing the pet to die. Please avoid giving ham and salty foods to your pets. This also includes any high salt human snack such as chips, pretzels,nuts, etc.

5. Onions are toxic to pets.They contain allyl propyl disulfide, which damages their red blood cells and can cause fatal consequences in animals. They may become anemic, weak and have trouble breathing. The best thing to do if your pet ingests onions is to get them to the vet right away.

6. Caffeine is also bad for pets. It contains methylated xanthine that, like chocolate, stimulates the central nervous and cardiac systems and within several hours can cause vomiting, restlessness, heart palpitations and even death. So make sure your pets stay away from that early morning brew.

7. Avocados are also bad for pets. First, they are really high in fat and can cause stomach upset, vomiting and even pancreatitis. Second, the pit is also toxic and can get lodged in the intestinal tract leading to a severe blockage, which may require surgery.

8. It may come as a surprise to many that tuna fish is bad for cats. The feline heart muscle requires an amino acid called taurine to maintain normal strength and function. Regular tuna fish for humans does not have this amino acid and cats that eat too much tuna fish will develop heart
problems. If you want to give your cats that taste of tuna that they love,
just make sure it is tuna fish for cats which has this amino acid added.

9. Studies found that raisins & grapes EVEN IN VERY SMALL AMOUNTS can lead to quick and total kidney failure in dogs. Small dogs can also choke on grapes.

[Judi W]

I believe it is alarmist to list things that might disagree with an animal under a heading of "toxic". There is a very big difference.

[samanthac]

This is the way it was forwarded to me, with permission to crosspost, and was said to have been forwarded from a respected veterinary online journal that labeled these items as potentially toxic to companion animals.

My error for not editing and saying 'potentially toxic', but I did not really feel it my place to edit the original content. I simply copied and pasted what was forwarded to me.

Reespectfully, I think the content is very important and not at all alarmist as I saw people feed these things and even worse to their pets out of so-called 'love' during my years in the industry. The worst offenders by far are the elderly who equate sharing their people food with love...no matter what the food. Some of the things would make you shudder.

[Patty1231]

I'm curious as to who these people are that think it's funny to give alcohol to their pets. People like this need to get some serious help!

[Homerhomer]

it should come as no surprise to anyone that if you overdose alcohol, salt, sugar, caffeine, fat, lactose etc, it will be harmfull to any living creature, and if they can choke on grapes than they can pretty much choke on any non liquid foods.

[samanthac]

Originally Posted by Homerhomer

it should come as no surprise to anyone that if you overdose alcohol, salt, sugar, caffeine, fat, lactose etc, it will be harmfull to any living creature, and if they can choke on grapes than they can pretty much choke on any non liquid foods.

Well, ya'd think, but apparently not as vets are still seeing these problems. I don't get it either, but as we know most of the pet owning pop really don't have a clue. The things I see people do to/with/feed their pets never amazes to utterly horrify/dumfound me. :(

[German Vanegas]

What is important about this posted warning is that we have to look out for our pets and protect them from exposure to harmful or toxic foods. The point is, just because a dog eats whatever is edible that does not mean is good for the dog. I think Samantha is trying to create some awareness. And Patty believe me when I tell you that some stupid people give beer and wine to their dogs for their personal amusement.

[Lookie]

I knew most of that list, but I did not know about the grape thing. I've offered Harley a grape (obviously I wouldn't worry about her choking on it, cuz she eats bigger things all the time) but I didn't know about the kidney failure!

Thank god she spit the grape out!!

AND, I've fed my cat the juice from every single tuna can I've opened since I got him 10 years ago. He's still kicking!

[samanthac]

The report from the ASPCA, and I think Tufts, said that grapes can be toxic in amounts as small as 2 oz.

[eva247]

Samantha, may thanks for your post. I was aware of chocolate, onions and alcohol but not the rest!
I have given Kane a tiny, tiny miniscule piece of ham about a week ago - should I worry, he does seem fine?
Milk lethal - I thought that there was possible allergy problems with this but the first visit I had at the vets - all he said to me was 'oh, if you give him milk to drink make sure you adjust his food accordingly'.
Also, whilst on this subject don't suppose any of you would know if it is lethal for a 10 week old pup to have eaten cat do-do? He did it yesterday when my boyfriend was outside with him, he said he saw Kane with what looked like a white stone in his mouth and when he realised he broke it out of his mouth and ran in with him and washed his mouth out with water.

[samanthac]

Ok, I am sure they meant a larger amount of ham than miniscule. But as a rule they are saying do not give those kinds of meats/food.

I can't believe a vet would tell you to give a dog milk to drink. Why? Its known that many dogs are allergic or lactose intolerant. As a rule I would not give it. I guess lethal in the fact that if they have a very bad allergic reaction to it, but other than that why would you want to give poochy digestive upset? :(

Many a dog have eaten what we call 'cat box tootsie rolls'. they are gross to us, but quite a delicacy to dogs. As a rule I would not let them eat them willingly, but no need to panic and wash mouth out...just would not let them kiss you...EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Read each item and it clearly explains why to you. :)

I think what they were trying to get across here is the be sensible about what you share with your pets as their bodies do no always process things the same way ours do.

:)

[eva247]

Samantha - thanks for letting me know re cat do-do! I thought that was why he had been having so much wind and believe me it stinks!!!!! :D
I'm glad I never gave him a big piece of ham ;) I'd actually read it somewhere that it was good to give to dogs - goes to show, don't believe everything you read!
Milk - yep, believe it or not, the vet was the one to bring it up - I was actually shocked because I never thought you should give milk/dairy products to dogs - actually, is it the same with cheese because a friend of mine who has a rottie said it keeps hers busy when she puts some in the kongo (or whatever it is called) and the dog takes hours licking it. I know cheese is really fattening but other than that is it ok?

[samanthac]

Cheese is fine. Other than being fattening. My dogs will do ANYTHING for cheese! :o)

[eva247]

Samantha - you are great! Always have good advice, quick on the mark and I like your style!!! :D
If you're ever coming to the UK, let me know - I would be more then happy to introduce you to Kane ;)

[Jango]

Does sliced up and nuker waved hot dog pieces fall into the saltymeat/lunchmeat category? I was thinking about using these as treats.