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!