Pet Owners

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For Pet Owners - What not to Feed your Dog or Cat:

 

What you have heard about chocolate is exactly right. There is enough

poison in two squares of dark chocolate to kill a Labrador. White chocolate is

relatively non-toxic, with dogs needing to ingest an average of 750g per

kilogram of body weight for there to be toxic effects, and milk chocolate is

less

toxic than plain and dark chocolate. Death can result from the ingestion of

milk chocolate. Tragically someone found out how dangerous, when she left a

box of milk chocolates within reach of her Golden Retriever one night. Having

forgotton to put them away and came downstairs the next morning to find the

dog dead and the chocolates gone.

 

Garlic and onions both contain a substance called alum which can have

neurological effects on dogs and cats including leading to seizures and problems

walking. If garlic is to be fed it should be in powdered form and only if it

states the alum is removed. This can be taken as a given with garlic powders

formulated for dogs.

 

More dog and cat owners are giving table scraps without realizing that there

are certain foods a dog and cat should never eat. Before you put your

left-overs in your pets bowl be sure to read the foods they shouldn't eat.

 

 

1. Chocolate - Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be

toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems. To dogs, chocolate acts as a

stimulant, making your dog's heartbeat accelerate or beat irregularly, leading

to seizures and even cardiac arrest. To compound things further, it also

acts as a severe diuretic, causing frequent urination, vomiting, and/or

diarrhea. If you even suspect your dog has consumed chocolate, take him to an

animal

hospital immediately.

2. Grapes and Raisins - Grapes and raisins create havoc with your dog's

kidneys and digestive system. What's worse is that the amount of grapes needed

to

cause problems can vary greatly among individual dogs. Symptoms include

frequent urination, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Onions and Garlic - Onions contain sulfoxides and disulfides, cause the

breakdown of a dog's red blood cells, which deprives his cells of much-needed

oxygen. It can cause anemia. If you're in the habit of feeding your dog table

scraps, make sure the dish was not prepared with onions, as the effects can

be cumulative over a period of time. Symptoms can vary greatly, ranging from

vomiting and diarrhea to loss of appetite, fever, or exhaustion. Cats are

more susceptible than dogs.

4. Macadamia and Walnuts Nuts - While the exact chemical compound is still

unknown, even a small amount of macadamia nuts can cause fever, irregular

heartbeat, seizures, or mild paralysis. Contains an unknown toxin, which can

affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

5. Alcoholic Beverages - Dogs' physiologies are not equipped to handle

alcohol consumption. They are extremely susceptible to alcohol poisoning, and

even

small amounts can lead to digestive problems or even death. Tea, coffee and

cola type drinks (same poison as chocolate)

6. Bread Dough - Because it is soft, dogs will often swallow the dough

without chewing it. When the dough hits your dog's stomach, his body heat will

cause the dough to rise inside his stomach. This rising action can cause

bloating or vomiting. To compound things further, the rising action creates

alcohol

as a by-product, and your dog may experience the symptoms listed in the

previous paragraph.

7. Caffeinated Beverages - Similar to the effects of chocolate, caffeine is a

stimulant and can negatively impact your dog's heart rate, causing seizures

or heart attacks.

8. Avocados- Avocados are toxic to many animals. The offensive chemical

damages heart, lung, and other essential tissues. Be aware since guacamole's

main

ingredient is avocado, that you keep any such dips well out of your dog's

reach.

9. Pitted Fruits - (Peaches, Pears, Cherries, and Apricots) The pits of these

fruits contain small doses of cyanide, which can be fatal to smaller dogs.

Also, if the pit is swallowed whole, it may become lodged in the intestinal

tract, where the blockage will have to be surgically removed.

10. Raw Fish - Raw fish, especially salmon, can contain parasites, usually

fluke larvae. The dog consumes the fish, and the larvae hatch in your dog's

digestive tract, attaching themselves to his intestinal walls. Can result in a

_thiamine (a B vitamin)_

(http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2 & cat=1662 & articleid=712)

deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in

severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.Symptoms can

take up to a week to exhibit and usually mimic other canine diseases, such as

distemper or parvovirus. The hazard here is misdiagnosis by the veterinarian,

leading to an improper or ineffective treatment. If you choose to feed your

dog fish, be sure to cook it thoroughly to kill any bad critters that could be

hiding inside.

11. Sugary Foods - Can lead to obesity, dental problems and diabetes

mellitus. Sugarless candy and other items that contain xylitol - can cause liver

damage and death Salt - If eaten in large quantities it may lead to

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50, 350,

300)) imbalances.

12. Citrus oil and extracts are harmful. Vitamin supplements containing

iron, can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other

organs including the liver and kidneys..

13. Milk and other diary products - Dogs are lactose intolerant. Some adult

dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which

breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk

products are available for pets. Raw Eggs - Contain an enzyme called avidin,

which decreases the absorption of _biotin (a B vitamin)_

(http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2 & cat=1662 & articleid=712) . This

can lead to skin and

hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

14. Yeast dough - Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing

pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

15. Potato, rhubarb and tomato leaves/stems - Contain oxalates, which can

affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.

16 - Mushrooms -Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the

body, cause shock, and result in death.

17 - Turkey skin and other meat fat skins and trimmings - Can cause

_pancreatitis_

(http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2 & cat=1580 & articleid=335) .

18 - Large amounts of liver - Can cause _Vitamin A_

(http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2 & cat=1662 & articleid=710)

toxicity, which affects muscles

and bones. Do not feed raw liver.

This is of vital information for your dog and cat care. If you want your pet

to have the proper diet, take a small amount of what your making before you

add the onions and the extra spices and make him up his own little plate and

add it with his food.

Toxic plants for children and pets

_http://www.angel-litemaltese.com/Poison.htm_

(http://www.angel-litemaltese.com/Poison.htm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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