If you’ve got a pet that begs for table scraps, you know just how hard it can be to resist sharing. Just one tiny bite won’t hurt, right? Actually, in many cases that’s completely wrong. Some human foods are not only bad for our animal companions, but they’re downright toxic and could result in an emergency visit to your Woodland veterinarian. Before you give in and pass along that tidbit of food to your pet, take a look at this list of foods you shouldn’t share with animals.
Chocolate – This sweet treat may be irresistible to humans, but it is toxic to cats and dogs. Different types of chocolate have different levels of toxicity, and the size and health of your pet also determine how he or she will react to consumption. You could be dealing with anything from an upset stomach to vomiting and diarrhea, and it can even be fatal.
Grapes – They may seem harmless, but to pets they are dangerous, particularly in dogs. Consuming grapes or raisins can cause your dog to go into kidney failure.
Caffeine – You may need your fix of caffeine each day, but this substance is not suitable for your animal companion. Caffeine stimulates your pet’s heart and nervous system, causing irregular heartbeat and even death.
Nuts – Most nuts are bad for pets, but particularly dangerous are macadamia nuts and walnuts. If your animal companion gets ahold of these and eats just a few it could cause anything from vomiting to paralysis and eventually could lead to death.
Alcohol – A cocktail after work may be just the thing you need to relax, but sharing even a sip with your pet could spell disaster. And then you’ve got the added risk of driving while intoxicated as you rush your pet to your Woodland veterinarian’s office.
Anything with Artificial Sweetener – A lot of items on the market today, including candy and soda, contain the artificial sweetener Xylitol, a substance which can be dangerous to animals. Consuming this can cause the blood sugar to drop, which can lead to anything from loss of movement to seizures and can be fatal.
As you can see, there are a lot of seemingly harmless foods that are actually dangerous and often times even deadly for our animal companions. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Keep these items out of your pet’s reach and resist the urge to share when your companion begs. If, for some reason, you suspect your pet has ingested any of these items, call your Woodland veterinarian immediately. Timely treatment could mean the difference between life and death.