Week Four: What Pets Should and Shouldn't Eat

What pets should and shouldn’t eat

We share our hearts, homes and, at times, our food to our pups or cats. However, how safe is it to share our human food with our pets? It’s not as safe as you think because many foods, such as vegetables, fruits and other favorites can break down, causing havoc in a dog’s body. They can cause severe health problems. Let's go over the simple do and don’ts on what to feed your pet.

What are some things your pet should not eat? Here are a few:

image via Google 

Xylitol

Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. It can cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Early symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and coordination problems. Eventually, your dog may have seizures. Liver failure can happen within just a few days.

Onions and Garlic

Keep onions and garlic -- powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated -- away from your dog. They can kill his red blood cells, causing anemia. That's even the onion powder in some baby food. A rare small dose is probably fine. However, eating a large quantity just once can cause poisoning. Look for signs like weakness, vomiting, and breathing problems.

Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeine

Give your dog toys if you want him to be perky. Caffeine can be fatal.  Watch out for coffee, tea and even the beans and the grounds. Keep your dog away from cocoa, chocolate, colas and energy drinks. Caffeine is also in some cold medicines and painkillers. Think your pet had caffeine? Get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Milk and Other Dairy Products

On a hot day, it may be tempting to share your ice cream with your pet. Instead, give her some cold water. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems for your pet. They can also trigger food allergies which can cause them to itch.

Chocolate

Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The problem with chocolate is bromine. And it is not safe for any animal. All kinds of chocolate even found in white chocolate. The most dangerous types are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Chocolate can cause a dog to vomit and have diarrhea. It can also cause heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death.

What is SAFE for pets?

Safe: Lean Meats

Most dogs are fine eating lean cuts of meat that have been cooked well. Take off all visible fat -- including the skin on poultry. Be sure that there are no bones in the meat before you give it to your dog.

image via Google

Safe: Some Fresh Fruits

Slices of apples, oranges, bananas and watermelon make tasty treats for your dog. Take out any seeds first. Seeds, stems and leaves can cause serious problems.

Safe: Some Vegetables

Your dog can have a healthy snack of carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices, or zucchini slices. Even a plain baked potato is just fine. Don't let your dog eat any raw potatoes or any potato plants from your pantry or garden.

Safe: Peanut butter

Peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein for dogs. It contains heart-healthy fats, vitamin B and E and niacin. Raw, unsalted peanut butter is the healthiest option. Read the label carefully to be sure the peanut butter does not contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that can be toxic to dogs.

If Your Dog Eats What She Shouldn’t

No matter how careful you are, your dog might find and swallow something she shouldn't. Keep the number of your local vet, the closest emergency clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center -- (888) 426-4435 -- where you know you can find it. And, if you think your dog has eaten something toxic, call for emergency help right away.

 

image via ASPCA