TOXICITY AND PET DANGERS

'PEOPLE FOOD' that can kill your pet…

Bad News Foods
From Chocolate to raisins, here’s what NOT to feed your pet - even if he begs!!

Avocados They contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many 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. 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, weakness, and an elevated heart rate. These symptoms can be even worse if your dog eats some chocolate with 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.
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 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.

Good News Foods
There are a few things that you CAN give to your furry pal!

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.

Vegetables Carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices and zucchini slices are all OK.
Fruit Apple slices, orange slices, bananas and water melon are all OK.
Baked Potatoes Plain cooked potatoes are fine, but make sure they are cooked.
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.
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. Never give your pet meat with the bone in it. Animals can choke on the bones, and they can splinter as well.

OTHER DANGERS

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.

In many cases, pet owners give their feline and canine friends an over-the-counter medication to ease an animal’s pain. But, ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol), IBUPROFEN (Motrin) and NAPROXEN (Aleve), 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 even death. Do not give over-the-counter drugs to your dog without consulting your veterinarian.

Dangerous Plants include, but are not limited to oleander, pyracanthas, poinsettia and dieffenbachia. Nurseries can also help you decide which plants may be harmful to your pets.

Harmful Household Items
Dangerous commonly used and potentially attractive house and garden items include rat and mouse bait, antifreeze, lawn mushrooms, fertilizers, bleach, detergents, diet pills, disinfectants, drain cleaners, fabric softener, some over-the-counter flea and tick products, home insect products, liquid potpourri, mothballs, solvents, tobacco products, vitamins.

Dangerous Objects
Balls (specifically balls that are small and smooth), balloons, batteries, bread twist ties, buttons, coins, cotton swabs, dental floss, needles, nylons, paper clips, plastic wrap, ribbons, rubber-bands, socks, string, towels, yarn.

Hazards Around the House
Balconies, bath tubs or sinks, candles, doors and windows, electrical cords, fireplace, toilets, washer and dryer. Outside the house, compost (particularly if moldy), deck lattice, fences and gates, fire pit or grill, gasoline, hot tubs, swimming pools. Supervision is the best protection.