Human foods that are toxic to Dogs and Cats

Feeding pet's the same foods that we enjoy is not only wrong, it can also be fatal. There are some foods that humans relish, which cause illness and death if eaten by pets.

Chocolate (in all forms), macadamia nuts and onions are good examples. Each of these foods contain chemicals which rarely cause problems for humans, but for dogs, these same chemicals can be deadly.

The below listed foods is a basic guidline of the most commonly reported foods that dogs and cats have ingested, resulting in various degrees of toxicity distress, and even death. In many cases substantial veterinary costs also incurred.

The first line of food safety defense is awareness, then prevention. Even so, at times, accidents do happen.

Keep food that is not intended for your cat or dog, out or reach of your pet

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

Chocolate, Macadamia nuts, avocados…these foods may sound delicious to you, but they’re actually quite dangerous for our animal companions. Our nutrition experts have put together a handy list of the top toxic people foods to avoid feeding your pet. As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine *

These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Avocado

The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause problems for your canine companion. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Grapes & Raisins

Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.

Yeast Dough

Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones

Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.

Xylitol

Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

Onions, Garlic, Chives *

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your pets large quantities of these foods.

Milk

Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Salt

Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other words, keep those salty chips to yourself!

* Chocolate toxicity ~ Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and is a diuretic.

When affected by an overdose of chocolate, a dog can become excited and hyperactive. Dur to the diuretic effect, it will pass large volumes of urine and will be unuusually thirsty. Vomiting and diarrhea are also common. The effect of theobromine on the heart is the most dangerous effect. Theobromine will either increase the dog's heartrate or may cause the heart to beat irregularly. Death is quite possible, especially with exercise.

After their pet has eaten a large quantity of chocolate, many pet owners assume their per is unaffected. However, the signs of sickness may not be seen for several hours, with death following within 24 hours.

Cocoa powder and cooking chocolate are the most dangerous forms. A 10-kilogram dog can be seriously affected if it eats a quarter of a 250 gm packet of cocoa powder, or half of a 250 gm block of cooking chocolate. These forms of chocolate contain 10 times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Thus, a chocolate mud cake coild be a real health risk for a small dog. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a cake can make a dog unwell.

Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate are the next most dangerous forms, with milk chocolate being the least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250 gm block of milk chocolate to be affected. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the less it needs to eat.

* Onion and garlic poisoning ~ Onions and garlic are other dangerous food ingredients that cause sickness in dogs, cats, and also in livestock. Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, with onions the most dangerous.

Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop haemolytic anemia, where the pets' red blood cells burst while circulating in its body.

At first, pet's affected by onion poisoning show gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea. They will show no interest in food and will be dull and weak. The red pigment from the burst blood cells appears in an affected animals urine and the animal becomes breathless. The breathlessness occurs because the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body are reduced in number.

The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion. All forms of onion can be a problem, including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions, and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, chinese dishes, stew, and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness.

Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities, or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion..

While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.

* The danger of Macadamia Nuts ~ Macadamia nuts are another concern. A recent paper written by Dr. Ross McKenzie, a Veterinary Pathologist, with the Department of Primary Industries, points to the danger of raw and roasted macadamia nuts for pets.

The toxic coumpound is unknown but the affect of macadamia is to cause locomotors difficulties. Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.

Dogs have been affected by eating as few as 6 macadamia kernels (nuts without the shell), while others had eaten approximately 40 kernels. Some dogs had also been given macadamia butter.

Luckily, the muscle weakness, while painful, seems to be of short duration, and all dogs recovered from the toxicity. All dogs were taken to their Veterinary Surgeon.

Pet owners should not assume that human food is always safe for pets. Be sure that your pet's cannot get into your stash of chocolates, that food scraps are disposed of carefully to prevent toxicity and that your dog is prevented from picking up macadamia nuts if you have a tree in your garden.

Other potential dangers:

So, while the above list is a basic guidline of the most commonly reported  foods that pets have ingested, be aware that there are many more toxic foods that may poison/harm pets.

Keep your Dogs and Cats safe and healthy by feeding them a veterinary formulated holistic food like Life's Abundance ™ Premium Health Food that is designed to benefit their growth and development through all life stages.

Take the financial fret out of visiting the vet. No matter how well-prepared you think you are for an emergency, there’s a gaping hole in your plan if your pet isn’t covered by Health Insurance.

What do you do if an accidental poisoning happens?

If you think your pet has been exposed to a poisonous substance, the APCC (Animal Poison Control Center can help. Call 1-888-426-4435, and consult with your veterinarian for follow up care. Time on your side may just save your pets life.

Cases of pets taken to their veterinarian for toxicity have ranged in veterinary costs, anywhere from $400.00, to well over $3,000.00. With Pet Insurance, the choice of saving your pets life, over cost is not a concern.

We offer a variety of affordable Insurance Plans through Hartville Pet Insurance to assure you and your pet that you have the coverage of your choice.

Hartville Pet Health Insurance is the company we partnered with in this venture. They are an “A” rated underwriter, licensed in all 50 States and the District of Columbia.  Hartville was founded in 1997 and they are America’s fastest-growing pet health insurer.  In addition to the many advantages working with a company of this caliber, Hartville offers wide veterinary acceptance and excellent customer service.

With low monthly payments and minimal co-pays, our coverage makes quality vet care possible for everyone. Policies range from simple accidental coverage to more comprehensive protection, including illness, surgery, hospitalization and wellness care.

Plan for a healthier future together. Enjoy the confidence that comes from having Quality, Affordable Pet Health Coverage.

To avoid complications, it's best to leave table foods for the humans
Feed your pets foods that are scientifically designed specifically for their genetics & breed species

Introducing the best of health
Maintaining your pets healthy habits

It truly takes a canine/feline scientist to understand and formulate the correct balance of ingredients, as well as the perfect ratio of each ingredient needed, to best support our cats and dogs systems.

With good reason, Dr. Jane Bicks selects a wide array of wholesome, fresh and healthy ingredients in her pet food formulations. Her goal is to offer your pets happier, healthier longer lives. You can be confident in feeding the best of health to your beloved pets, by offering them Life's Abundance holistic dog and cat health foods, treats and supplements. 

They will be glad you look out for their best interest in keeping them safe & healthy
They trust you for their most basic needs

References: ASPCA and Dr. Cam Day BVSc BSc MACVSc. Dr. Cam Day is a veterinary surgeon, an animal behavior consultant and media presenter. In 1995 he qualified as a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientist in the discipline of Animal Behavior management in Queensland.