Nutrition: What Not to Feed Your Cat and Dog
A diet made up of food specially designed for pets provides appropriate nutrition…
However, very often, we consider our pets to be family members and it can be very tempting to give them human food. It is important to know that some foods are harmful for your four-legged friends and therefore must be avoided.
To help you choose what is right for them, we have prepared a list of 10 foods your pet should never eat.
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Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be toxic for your pet if ingested in excessive quantities. Theobromine is an ingredient that acts as a heart stimulant and is a diuretic. A big chunk of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea and hyperactivity in particular. Too much chocolate can be life-threatening for your pet. Therefore we recommend that you store any food containing chocolate in places that your pet cannot get into, such as high cupboards.
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Anything fatty: High-fat products such as meat, cheese and butter can be dangerous for your pet. They can contribute to development of pancreatitis. The signs of pancreatitis vary but may include vomiting, anorexia, depression, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, weakness, dehydration, fever, etc.
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Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins contain an unidentified toxin for dogs which can damage their kidneys.
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Onions and garlic: Garlic and onions can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more sensitive than dogs.
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Raw meat: Raw meat can contain bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. When concentrations are too high, they can cause food poisoning which can be life-threatening for your pet. In addition these bacteria can be found in the stool of the infected animal and therefore become a source of contamination to the family.
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Bones: Because bones can break and get stuck in the intestines, mouth or throat, they should be banned. Only bones sold at your veterinarian’s or in speciality stores are advised.
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Candy: Sugar-free candy containing xylitol is considered dangerous for pets. This ingredient can cause liver damage and even death in some dogs.
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Alcool: Ingesting large amounts of alcohol can result in a coma or even death for a pet.
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Tea and coffee (and any other source of caffeine): These contain caffeine, theobromine or theophylline, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. They can also be toxic for the heart and nervous system.
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Yeast: Yeast can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing significant pain and damage to the wall of the stomach or intestines.
If you have any questions about certain foods that are not on this list, your veterinarian is the best person to advise you. So do not hesitate to contact your vet!
