Did you know that not everything that you eat is healthy for your pet? It is usually very tempting to share foods from the table with the pets especially when it seems very tasty for them. Most of us share what we eat with our pet animals like dogs and cats but sometimes we end up being frustrated and disappointed when they fall sick or sometimes die. Not all human foods are unhealthy for pet animals but it is very important to be cautious not to give them types of human foods that have not been recommended by a veterinarian. Even if our pets seem to enjoy the foods, some of them could be very dangerous for them. It is also very important to monitor the health of the pets and if you suspect that they might have taken some dangerous food, you should take them to a veterinarian immediately. Just to help you, the following are the types of foods that have been listed as dangerous for our pets:
One kind of food that if taken by your cat or dog could be very dangerous is Xylitol. It is an artificial sweetener that is found in many products such as gum, candy and mints and it is very harmful to pets as it causes liver damage and lowers their blood sugar. It is therefore important to be careful not to offer a pet foods that have Xylitol since the results could be fatal if action is not taken immediately.
Another human food group that is toxic to cats and dogs is caffeine. Chocolate and coffee as well as other products that contain caffeine such as tea and soft drinks are considered not good for pets. Chocolate contains a harmful chemical to pets that is called theobromine as well as caffeine which is also toxic to them especially if taken in large quantities. The two chemicals can cause diarrhea, vomiting and seizures to pets and could even cause death.
Other foods that could be harmful to your pets are Grapes, raisins, avocados, macadamia nuts as well as garlic and onions. These foods are known to cause vomiting and diarrhea among other signs of illness in cats and dogs and thus should be avoided.
To ensure the safety of your pet you should always check food packets for the ingredients list and determine if they contain any of the foods listed above and others that are not recommended for pets. Some of the clinical signs that show toxicity in pets include weakness, depression, vomiting, pale gums among others. In case you find out that your pet has accidentally ingested these kinds of foods, you should contact your veterinarian.
