10 Toxic Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog or Cat

Many human foods are toxic or unhealthy for dogs and cats to consume.

1. 🍫 Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats. It can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, and in severe cases, death.
2. 🍇 Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats. Even small amounts can be toxic.
3. 🧅 Onions and garlic: These vegetables contain compounds that can damage the red blood cells of dogs and cats, leading to anaemia.
4. 🥑 Avocado: Avocado contains persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs and cats.
5. 🍸 Alcohol: Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous for pets, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, and even coma or death.
6. 👩‍🔬 Xylitol: This artificial sweetener is found in many sugar-free gums and candies. It can cause a rapid insulin release in dogs and cats, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, loss of coordination, and seizure.
7. 🦴 Cooked bones: Cooked bones can splinter and cause blockages or tears in a pet’s digestive system.
8. 🍔 Fatty foods: Large amounts of fatty foods can cause severe and potentially life-threatening pancreatitis in dogs and cats.
9. ☕ Caffeine: Caffeine can be toxic to pets and cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors.

It’s essential to keep human foods out of reach of pets and feed them pet-specific foods formulated to meet their nutritional needs. Read about it, inform yourself and give your dog or cat real food.

If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic such as chocolate, grapes or any of the 10 toxic foods listed aboved, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center immediately.