People Foods That are Toxic for Pets

At some point or another, every pet owner has fed their pet people food. 

Although we all know that we shouldn’t give pets people food, sometimes all of the begging and whining can pull at our heart strings. Most of the time, feeding your pet a bit of something off of your plate is innocent and safe, but you have to be careful because there are many people foods that can harm your pet. Keep your pet safe by knowing which foods to avoid giving them! The following is a list from our veterinarian in North Merrick of people foods that are toxic for pets:

#1. Milk

Milk seems like a natural thing to give your cat, but adult cats are actually lactose intolerant. Cats don’t have the ability to break down the sugar in milk, and feeding them dairy products can lead to diarrhea and dehydration.

#2. Chocolate

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine that can damage a dog’s nervous system, heart and lungs. Although you should avoid giving your dog chocolate in all forms, it is important to note that baking chocolate is the most toxic type of chocolate for dogs.

#3. Raisins and Grapes

A small raisin or grape may seem harmless enough, but as little as four could leave you with a very sick pup. Even small quantities of grapes or raisins could cause irreversible kidney damage, so if your dog eats a grape or a raisin, take them to our veterinarian immediately.

These are just a few of the many people foods that are toxic for pets. Would you like to learn more? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog!

very pet owner wants to keep their pet safe, but sometimes, something as innocent as feeding your dog a scrap of food from your plate can be harmful for your pet. At East Meadow Veterinary Center, we are dedicated to doing everything we can to keep your pets safe, healthy and happy, and that’s why, in our last blog, our veterinary clinic in North Bellmore went over a few people foods that are toxic for pets. Keep reading to learn about more people foods you shouldn’t feed your pets:

#4. Macadamia Nuts

The good news is that feeding a dog macadamia nuts isn’t usually fatal, but it can cause severe illness. Just a small handful of macadamia nuts can cause lethargy, joint and muscle pain, swelling and vomiting.

#5. Bones

Spare bones from your plate may seem harmless enough for your cat, but they can cause choking, and if your cat manages to swallow the bone, it can create lacerations or obstructions in their digestive tract.

#6. Onions

Whether they are cooked, raw or powdered, onions in all forms are dangerous for cats because they cause onion poisoning. Onion poisoning can break down your cat’s red blood cells, leading to weight loss, lethargy and anemia.

#7. Alcohol

Ethanol, which is found in alcohol, can quickly cause damage to your dog’s central nervous system and respiratory system, and it can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, decreased coordination, coma and, in some cases, even death.

#8. Raw or Undercooked Eggs and Meat

Raw eggs and meat contain bacteria that can be harmful for both pets and people alike, including E.coli and Salmonella.

Although we’ve gone over many people foods that are toxic for pets, there are many more that we haven’t covered. That is why it is always a good idea to refrain from giving your dog or cat any people food until you are 100% sure it is safe. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us!