by Danielle Sheffler

Created on: May 16, 2008

We all know that feeding our dogs chocolate can be toxic.but did you know there are other common "people foods" that can be deadly to your pet? In today's post, I am going to go over a few foods that can be toxic to your pet.

I have to admit, I am a sucker for a sweet face, and when a dog is begging, looking at you with those puppy dog eyes, it is incredibly hard to say no. It's not a bad thing to let your pet try people food every once in awhile, but you need to be aware of the dangers in certain foods. Some foods are better left for you to enjoy, and many others can be shared with your pet. It is good to keep in mind that too many treats may cause your pet to become overweight, so make sure you are giving your pet treats sparingly.

Dangers:

#1: Avocados- believe it or not, this fruit is toxic to dogs, cats, and many other animals. They contain a toxin called persin which can cause damage to the heart, lung, and other tissue in your pet. Keep that guacamole in your bowl!

#2: Beer- some people may find it humorous to give a pet a beer, but it is actually very serious. The alcohol in beer and other alcoholic beverages can cause the same damage to the liver and brain as it does in people. Since animals are much smaller than we are, the effects can be deadly to them. The smaller the animal is, the more deadly the reaction will be. A tiny amount of alcohol can cause damage to the brain and liver as well as vomiting.

#3: Nuts- the worst kinds of nuts to feed your pet are walnuts and macadamia nuts. They can cause anything from vomiting to paralysi to death. Symptoms usually appear about 12 hours after eating the nuts and you will notice your pet having trouble standing or walking, vomiting, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature/extreme fever), weakness, or an elevated heart rate. It is never a good idea to feed your pet nuts covered in chocolate. The effect of this toxic mixture can cause kidney failure.

#4: Chocolate- if eaten in large quantities, the chemical theobromine can be toxic to dogs. The most dangerous type of chocolate is dark chocolate and unsweetened bakers chocolate. The theobromine can cause rapid heartbeats in cats and dogs - which could become deadly if your pet is exercising.

#5: Candy- steer clear of anything with the ingredient Xylitol (this is a common sweetner found in diet products). This chemical can cause a sudden drop in your pet's blood sugar, seizures, and loss of coordination. If immediate veterinary care is not sought, this could lead to

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>