Feeding our pets is a crucial aspect of their health and well-being. Although many of us enjoy sharing our meals with our dogs and cats, it’s important to be aware that some foods we regularly consume can be dangerous, and even deadly, for them. In this blog, we provide you with a detailed guide to the forbidden foods for dogs and cats, so you can keep your furry friends safe and healthy.
Prohibited Foods for Dogs
- Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that dogs cannot metabolise effectively. Ingestion of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, convulsions and even death in severe cases.
- Grapes and sultanas
Although grapes and sultanas are healthy for humans, they can cause kidney failure in dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and depression.
- Onions and Garlic
Both onions and garlic contain compounds that can damage red blood cells in dogs, causing anaemia. This applies to all forms: raw, cooked, powdered or dried.
- Caffeine
Caffeine is highly toxic to dogs and can be found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and some medicines. Signs of caffeine intoxication include restlessness, rapid breathing, palpitations and seizures.
- Alcohol
Alcohol affects dogs in a similar way to how it affects humans, but much more quickly. It can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, coma and even death.
- Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free products such as chewing gum and candy. In dogs, it can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to dangerous hypoglycaemia, as well as liver damage.
- Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and elevated body temperature in dogs. Although the exact cause of their toxicity is unknown, their effects can be severe.
Prohibited Foods for Cats
- Onions and garlic
As in dogs, onions and garlic can cause anaemia in cats by damaging their red blood cells. Even small amounts can be dangerous.
- Chocolate
Chocolate is also toxic to cats due to theobromine and caffeine. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, convulsions and death.
- Alcohol
Alcohol is extremely dangerous for cats and can cause a variety of symptoms, from vomiting and diarrhoea to respiratory problems and death.
- Caffeine
Caffeine is as toxic to cats as it is to dogs. It can be found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and some medications, and can cause hyperactivity, increased breathing, palpitations and seizures.
- Bones and Spines
Bones and bones, especially cooked ones, can splinter and cause obstruction or damage to a cat’s digestive tract. It is best to avoid them altogether.
- Dairy
Although many cats enjoy milk and other dairy products, many are lactose intolerant. Dairy consumption can cause digestive problems such as diarrhoea and stomach upset.
- Grapes and Raisins
Although less common, kidney failure has also been reported in cats following ingestion of grapes and sultanas.
How to Protect Your Pets
To keep your pets safe, it’s crucial to educate yourself about the foods that can be harmful to them. Here are some practical tips:
- Research: Always do your research before offering a new food to your pet.
- Safe Foods: Opt for pet-specific foods that have been formulated to meet your pet’s nutritional needs.
- Avoid Leftover Food: Don’t feed your pets leftover human food, especially those containing the above ingredients.
- Safe Storage: Keep dangerous foods out of reach of your pets.
- Veterinary Consultation: If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic food, contact your veterinarian immediately.
CONCLUSION
By being informed and careful about what we feed our pets, we can ensure that they live long, happy and healthy lives.
Remember, a healthy pet is a happy pet!
