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| People Food That Can Kill Your Dog |
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links should be substituted for your veterinarian's advice.
links should be substituted for your veterinarian's advice.
By Sloan Barnett
TODAYShow.com contributor
updated 5:07 p.m. ET, Fri., May. 9, 2008
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.
Bread
Plain cooked bread is fine; just make sure there are no nuts or raisins added.
Rice and pasta
Plain, cooked pasta and white rice are 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.