Foods You Should Never Give to Your Pet

Our pets often think they know what's best for them when it comes to food. Cats, especially, are notoriously picky, and it can be tempting to give them what they will eat rather than what they should eat. Some breeds of dog, too, (such as Labradors) are famous for being "doggy dustbins", who will eat anything if you turn your back (including your keys).

But what, apart from keys, should your pets never eat?

Cats

Alcohol

Even a small amount of alcohol can cause liver and brain damage in a cat. A teaspoon could land your feline friend in a coma.

Bones

Never give your feline friend the bones of fish, poultry or meat. They are difficult to digest and could cause a dangerous obstruction, or even a laceration, in her digestive system.

Chocolate

All forms of chocolate (from milk to cooking chocolate) contain theobromine, which can cause arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) and seizures in cats. It can even kill a cat.

Coffee, and other caffeinated drinks

Tea, coffee, energy drinks, and Cola drinks cause muscle tremors and heart palpitations in cats. Trust me, your cat wants you to stick to giving them water.

Dairy products

On that subject, many cat-lovers still offer Tiddles a saucer of milk. However, they are probably doing them more harm than good. Most cats are lactose intolerant. While they enjoy the taste of milk, it later gives them vomiting and diarrhoea. Recently, lactose-free "cat milks" have come onto the market. These are suitable for an occasional treat (but don't give your cat human lactose-free milk).

Dog food

Dog food is not suitable for cats. It leads to malnutrition and heart problems.

Fat trimmings

Fat trimmings from meat can lead to painful pancreatitis.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins are a terrible treat idea for a pet cat. They are both linked to kidney failure and it takes a very small amount to make a cat ill. What's worse is that, while some cats exhibit signs such as vomiting, other cats show no signs of damage at all until it's too late.

Macadamia nuts

It's unknown why, but these nuts affect a cat's nervous system, digestive system, and musculoskeletal system. It's thought an unknown toxin is to blame.

Mushrooms

May contain toxins that affect many of the body's systems and lead to shock and death.

Onions, Chives and Garlic

All forms of onion (even the powdered onion in baby food) breaks down red blood cells in a cat, which causes anaemia. Eating even small amounts on a regular basis will cause onion poisoning. Chives and garlic, too, cause stomach problems in cats.

Raw meat, fish or eggs

Not only are raw meat, fish and eggs an E. coli and Salmonella risk for cats, they also upset the vitamins and minerals in a cats body. Raw fish depletes your cat's thiamine, an essential B-vitamin which is needed to support the nervous system. As that's depleted, it can lead to anorexia (loss of appetite), seizures, coma, and death.

Raw eggs interfere with your cat's biotin. As this B-Vitamin cannot be absorbed, your cat may start having skin problems.

READ Why Won't My Cat Eat? Digestive Problems In The Older Cat

Tuna (canned)

This one seems counter-intuitive. We all know how cats gravitate to tuna. Leave a tin open on the side, and you'll come back to find Tiddles helping herself. This is one example of cats not knowing what's good for them. Canned tuna (for human consumption) is not suitable for cats to eat every day (although the occasional treat is alright). Canned tuna can lead to malnutrition as it lacks the correct minerals and vitamins found in a specially-made cat-food. The high amount of unsaturated fat is also harmful to cats, causing Vitamin E deficiency and a painful inflammatory condition called steatitis ("yellow fat disease")

Yeast dough

Watch your feline friend constantly if you bake bread, because rising dough may be a constant, dangerous temptation. If they eat any dough before it's risen, it will continue to rise in their stomach, causing severe pain and potentially leading to rupture of the stomach or intestine. Another problem is that yeast produces an alcohol as it makes the bread rise, which could also poison your cat.

Foods Dogs Shouldn't Eat, and What to Do if Your Pet Eats Something Bad

Dogs

Alcohol

Everyone's heard of someone who says their dog loves beer. Actually, they probably don't. Or, at least, if they do it proves the point about animals not always being the best judges. Alcohol does to dogs the same as it does for cats. Not only does it make Rover walk uncoordinatedly, it causes difficulty breathing, and may lead to coma and death.

Apple Seeds

Apple seeds contain amygdlin, a naturally-occurring chemical that releases cyanide when eaten. Unless you sit there, feeding dozens of seeds to your dog, this is unlikely to be an issue; but - if your dog happens to like apples - be on the safe side: remove the core of the apple first.

Avocado

Persin, the fungal toxin present in the avocado, is harmful to dogs, causing diarrhoea, vomiting, and heart problems.

Cat Food

Cats require a higher fat diet. This diet is completely unsuitable for a dog. Just as you should never give a cat dog-food (as they would become malnourished), cat-food is improperly balanced for a dog.

Caffeine

All caffeine products are highly dangerous to dogs. They can cause vomiting, tremors, seizures, and even death (if enough caffeine is consumed). What is "enough" varies from pet to pet. Consult a vet if your dog has any.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and theophylline, which can be toxic to dogs, damaging their heart and nervous system, and causing digestive symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea.

Fat trimmings

Whether cooked or raw, fat trimmings may cause pancreatitis.

Grapes and Raisins

Dogs can die from only a handful of grapes. They are just as sensitive as cats to the toxin within, and may also develop kidney failure and even liver damage before you realise they have it.

Onions and Chives

Onions are almost as poisonous for dogs as they are for cats, damaging red blood cells and leading to anaemia. Chives are from the same family and should be avoided.

Persimmons, Plums, Pears and Peaches

Anything with seeds or pits is a risk of choking and bowel obstruction for a dog. However, peaches pose a double risk. They contain amygdalin, which breaks down into cyanide as they're digested.

Pears also carry a dual threat, as their seeds contain a small amount of arsenic.

READ Ten Common Misconceptions About Canine Health

Raw Fish

Raw fish (especially salmon and trout) are particularly harmful for dogs. Not only do they come with a high risk of infection with the parasite, Nanophyetus salmincola, which often carries a bacteria fatal to dogs, but they also deplete thiamine reserves leading to anorexia, convulsions and even death.

Salt

We all know that too much salt is bad for us, but it's doubly bad for dogs. Too much salt causes electrolyte imbalance, which leads to diarrhoea and dehydration.

Xylitol

The sugar-substitute xylitol (found in chewing gum and sugar-free sweets) can cause a dangerous excess production of insulin, causing a sudden drop in blood glucose levels, leading to seizures and even death. Kidney damage can also result from feeding your dog xylitol.

What should I do if my pet eats something they shouldn't?

No matter how closely you watch your pet, sometimes they get their little paws on something when your back's turned.

If that happens, follow these simple steps.

1. Keep calm. Remove the pet from the food. Ascertain how much your pet may have eaten. .
2. Call your vet. Tell your vet that your pet has been poisoned, the food they've eaten, the quantity, and any symptoms they are having. If a small amount is eaten, your vet may advise you to stay at home and monitor the situation. If a large amount of something particularly toxic is consumed, however, you may be advised to come in for immediate treatment.
3. If your own veterinary office is closed, find the nearest emergency vet.  Always keep the number of your own vet and the nearest emergency clinic close to the phone so it's quickly available in an emergency.

Your quick-acting could save your faithful friend. So don't delay.