Can My Pet Eat That?
Many of the foods that are considered good for people can be extremely dangerous for pets. While you might be tempted to offer table scraps to your pet, you should always avoid the following foods:
Alcoholic beverages
Apple seeds
Apricot pits
Avocados
Cherry pits
Candy (particularly chocolate and any candy containing Xylitol)
Coffee
Garlic
Grapes
Chewing gum
Hops
Macadamia nuts
Moldy food
Mushroom plants
Mustard seeds
Onions and onion powder
Peach pits
Potato leaves and stems
Raisins
Rhubarb leaves
Salt
Tea
Tomato leaves and stems
Walnuts
Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
Yeast dough
In addition, raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria that can be harmful to both humans and pets. Raw eggs contain an enzyme that decreases the absorption of biotin, which can lead to skin and coat problems. While feeding your pet raw bones might seem like a natural and healthy thing to do, however domestic pets can choke on bones or sustain serious injuries from bone splinters that become lodged in the digestive tract.
Many plants, household chemicals and prescription drugs are also toxic to pets. You should always keep these items out of reach of your pet.
Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list. Any decision to feed your pet food that is not intended for animals should be discussed with your veterinarian.
If your pet has consumed something that you believe to be poisonous, you will need to act fast. Remove your pet from the area and check to make sure that they are breathing and acting normally. Never induce vomiting or give any home remedies without first speaking to your veterinarian or the Pet Poison helpline. The Pet Poison Helpline can be reached at 1-800-213-6680.
Remember that the prognosis for your pet is always better when the toxicity is reported immediately, so never wait to see if your pet becomes ill before calling for help. It is always safer and less expensive to call for help immediately.
We hope this information has been helpful as we strive to provide education on all aspects of pet care.
Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming as well as mobile pet grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.
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