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People foods’ that can kill your pet 5-15-08
From chocolate to raisins, here’s what not to feed Fido — even if he begs
It feels good to treat your pet to human food every once in a while. Those
puppy-dog eyes are hard to resist as they watch you eat and try to convince you
that they are starving! It makes you want to give them a taste of everything you
eat. But beware: Giving in to those eyes and giving dogs human foods can
actually harm them.
In 2007, the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center received more than 130,000
calls. Most cases of animal poisoning were caused by common human foods and
household items.
Many foods we enjoy can be dangerous to animals. It's best to stick to pet food
and a diet recommended by your vet. Here are a few of the most toxic foods that
can harm your pet:
Bad news foods
Avocados
They contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and
other tissue in many animals. This fruit is very toxic to dogs, cats and most
animals.
Beer
Alcoholic beverages can cause the same damage to an animal's liver and brain as
they cause in humans. But the effects can be deadly on animals since they are
much smaller than us. The smaller the animal, the more deadly the effects can
be. Even a small amount of alcohol may cause vomiting and damage the liver and
brain.
Nuts
Walnuts and macadamia nuts are especially toxic. Effects can be anything from
vomiting to paralysis to death. Within 12 hours of eating the nuts, pets start
to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand or walk, vomiting,
hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), weakness, and an elevated heart rate.
These symptoms can be even worse if your dog eats some chocolate with the nuts.
The effect can cause kidney failure, often leading to death.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large
quantities. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous.
Giving your pup a piece of chocolate cake or even letting him lick the chocolate
icing on the cake could cause him to become ill. Theobromine can also cause a
dog or cat's heart to beat very rapidly or irregularly, which could result in
death if the pet is exercising or overly active.
Candy
Candy or anything containing Xylitol (a common sweetener found in some diet
products) can cause a sudden drop in an animal's blood sugar, loss of
coordination and seizures. If left untreated, the animal could die.
Caffeine
Coffee, tea or any product that contains caffeine stimulates an animal's central
nervous and cardiac systems. This can lead to restlessness, heart palpitations
and death, depending on how much the animal consumes.
Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single
serving of raisins can kill them. And the effects are cumulative, which means
that even if a dog eats just one or two grapes or raisins regularly, the toxin
that builds in his system will eventually kill him.
Onions
Onions are another common food that can be highly toxic to pets. They can
destroy an animal's red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness and breathing
difficulties. Their effects are also cumulative over time.
Medicine
Hide medicine from your pets just like you would from your children. The most
common cause of pet poisoning is from animals ingesting a medicine or drug
normally prescribed for humans.
And this is not just because furry pals are getting into their pet parent's
medicine cabinets. In many cases, pet owners give their feline and canine
friends an over-the-counter medication to ease an animal's pain. But
acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the active ingredients in many common pain
relievers, are extremely toxic to dogs and cats. They can cause gastric ulcers,
liver damage, kidney failure and sometimes death.
Good news foods
There are a few things that you CAN give to your furry pal. However, you should
always consult a veterinarian before introducing a new food item to your pet.
Although these foods are normally harmless, some animals have sensitive
gastrointestinal tracts. So even these healthy treats should be avoided if they
cause gastrointestinal upset for your pet. Keep in mind that these and other
"extras" should not make up more than 5 to 10 percent of the pet's daily caloric
intake.
Lean meats
Any cooked lean meat should be fine for most dogs. High-fat meats, chicken skin
and fat from steaks or roasts are not recommended. Ingestion may lead to
gastrointestinal upset or even pancreatitis. This can be a very painful
condition for dogs. In addition, most companion animals do not need extra fat in
their diets. Never give your pet meat with the bone in it. Animals can choke on
the bones, and they can splinter as well.
Vegetables
Carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices and zucchini slices are all OK.
Fruit
Apple slices, orange slices, bananas and watermelon are all OK. Make sure the
seeds have been taken out; seeds are not good for your pet!
Baked potatoes
Plain baked potatoes are fine, but make sure they are cooked — no unripe
potatoes or potato plants.
Rice
Plain, old rice is OK. Often veterinarians recommend plain rice with some boiled
chicken when gastrointestinal upset is present.
In case of emergency
Despite all the precautions you take to keep your pet pals safe, accidents do
happen. That's why the ASPCA, Humane Society and animal advocates advise pet
owners to keep the telephone numbers of their local veterinarian and the ASPCA
Animal Poison Control Center — (888) 426-4435 — in a prominent location.
Common signs of poisoning include muscle tremors or seizures; vomiting and
diarrhea; drooling; redness of skin, ears and eyes; and swelling and bleeding.
If you suspect your pet has consumed, inhaled or come in contact with a toxic
substance, stay calm and call for help immediately. If you see your pet
consuming anything you think might be toxic, seek emergency help immediately
even if she or he is not exhibiting any symptoms.