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30 Forbidden Foods for Dogs and Cats

It's better to be informed.

By Leanna RedmanPublished 2 years ago 6 min read
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30 Forbidden Foods for Dogs and Cats
Photo by Krista Mangulsone on Unsplash

Pets are considered family members, so they are treated as such even when it comes to food. If you also have a companion and you are used to treating it with small portions of what you consume, you should reconsider this aspect. The bodies of dogs and cats do not have systems that metabolize certain substances in some foods, so they do them more harm than good.

Find out in the following what are the 30 forbidden foods for dogs and cats!

What your pet shouldn't eat

1. The image of a cat drinking milk from a bowl is probably extremely familiar to you. But you should know that, like some of us, cats can have digestive problems after consuming milk, because their intestines do not secrete the enzyme lactase, necessary for the digestion of lactose.

The same rule applies to dogs, so milk should be removed from the pet menu.

2. Dogs like to gnaw on bones and this habit is healthy for the teeth and gums, removing plaque, but you must also consider the risk of bone debris that can cause damage to the esophagus and stomach.

3. Raw meat (chicken, beef, pork, fish) should be avoided, as it can cause infections with various microorganisms, such as E. coli bacteria, or some parasites.

4. Chocolate and other products containing cocoa and caffeine can be dangerous for pets as they have toxic effects on the nervous system.

5. Sweets are also on the list of foods forbidden for dogs and cats, the animals being exposed to the risk of diabetes.

6. Although it is beneficial to humans, thanks to its antiseptic action, garlic is another food that can be found to be toxic to pets.

7. Pasta and rice are two important sources of carbohydrates. However, if consumed in excess by our friends with fur, they can cause a rise in blood sugar.

8. Grapes and raisins are reliable substitutes for sweets, but in the case of animals, it is better to avoid them. They can be toxic to their body, causing violent reactions such as vomiting and kidney failure.

9. You certainly know that walnuts are among the best foods for your body, they contain a generous amount of monounsaturated fats.

Macadamia nuts are also on the list, of course, but when it comes to dogs and cats, it's a good idea to keep them away from their curious noses and eyes. Veterinarians warn us that it is enough for a pet to ingest only a few Macamadia nuts or to eat a cake that contains this ingredient and the effects can be devastating, leading to tachycardia, vomiting, and tremor.

If we talk about chocolate with macadamia nuts, things get worse, even to the point of death.

10. Xylitol is an ingredient used in the food industry to prepare certain desserts, but also common chewing gum. Once in your dog's body, it will cause a rapid rise in blood sugar, but also slow down liver function.

Depending on the amount ingested by the animal and the measures that have been taken or not, it may well overcome the incident or hepatic failure may occur, which will eventually lead to death.

11. Khaki fruit is very tasty and your puppy might beg you to give him a bite if he sees you eating with gusto. Don't even think about it, but take it into account! The small seeds found in the pulp of this fruit can cause inflammation in the small intestine of the quadruped.

12. Did you think that only people can get salmonellosis? Here that dogs can suffer from the same problem, the danger increasing exponentially if they eat raw eggs. Therefore, to be consumed safely, they must be cooked.

13. It is not a bad thing to give your companion a portion of a home-cooked snack if you follow the rules above. However, be careful with the amount of salt used.

It is best to avoid salt, as this can lead to excessive thirst and the need for frequent urination. As a result, sodium ion poisoning may occur. Then vomiting, diarrhea and tremor will occur.

14. If you like to make cakes, it means that you always have ingredients such as yeast and flour at hand. When you leave the dough to rise, keep your pets away from the kitchen table. The reason is simple: if they swallow even a small piece of leavened dough, it will increase in volume in your partner's stomach as a result of using yeast.

15. Even though beer is considered a food, dogs, and cats should not even taste it! The alcohol contained in this drink, even if it is in small quantities for the human body, is enough to cause discomfort when we talk about dogs or cats. Alcohol poisoning can be so serious that it can lead to death.

16. Store cooking ingredients in places inaccessible to your pet. If you accidentally ingest baking powder or baking soda, you should take it to your veterinarian immediately, as poisoning can cause death.

17. Food that has traces of mold is extremely toxic to pets, as it is to humans.

18. Excess fat can cause acute pancreatitis in both dogs and cats.

19. If you have a kitten, avoid giving him a liver too often, because this food, consumed in large quantities, can lead to a dangerous increase in the amount of vitamin A in the body.

20. Avocado is good for human health, it contains healthy fats, which protect the cardiovascular system and reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the body.

However, for pets, this fruit is extremely harmful. Persian, a substance contained in this fruit, is toxic to your furry friends, so do not let them approach any unopened avocado.

21. I explained to you above why it is not advisable to give milk to pets. Well, you should know that cheese is not good food for them either. Even if it is a fermented dairy product, it does not mean that it will not cause them unpleasant digestive disorders.

22. If you have eaten an apple, make sure to throw it away as soon as possible. Out of curiosity, your dog could bite him, which is extremely dangerous for his health.

Apple kernels, like other fruit kernels, in fact, such as apricots or peaches, contain substances called cyanogenic glycosides, which are toxic and can sometimes cause death.

23. If you have a garden and you like to plant various vegetables, make sure that your pets do not get close to them. For example, green tomatoes can be very dangerous if ingested by your companions because they contain alkaloids.

We don't even remember the leaves or the stem of the plant, as they are rich in atropine, another substance that can cause accelerated pulse and neurovegetative disorders.

24. Raw potatoes should not be eaten by your pet either. The oxalates and alkalosis they contain can be life-threatening, affecting their kidneys and nervous system.

25. When you take your quadruped for a walk in the woods, make sure it doesn't taste like a mushroom. As with humans, poisonous mushrooms can cause death.

26. Even if nutmeg gives a special taste to food, dogs should not try it. The causes are unknown, but this spice is certainly toxic to four-legged friends.

 

27. Onions taste like food, but they should not be part of your dog's menu, especially if it is raw. It can cause severe anemia in these pets.

28. Walnuts can cause digestive problems if ingested by your companion. The reason is that they can be attacked by mold when stored in humid conditions.

29. It is good to exclude cereals from the menu of pets.

30. Take care that when you give your dog prepared vegetables, they are not cut into large pieces, but chopped. In addition, it does not make it a habit, because it can affect the digestive system.

If you want your trusted friend to always be healthy and playful, follow these rules regarding forbidden foods for dogs and cats.

Instead, consult a veterinarian and discover the best alternatives, to prevent any problems and help him to have a long life.

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