Foods that are Hazardous to your pets

Alcoholic beverages It is often sweet - attracting dogs and cats, but can cause serious and fatal intoxication. Don’t ever offer this to your pets. Here are some of the signs and side effects: • Incoordination/ataxia • Excitement • Depression • Excessive urination • Breathing rate is slowed • Cardiac arrest and death Avocado Avocado leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain a toxic principle known as Persin. The Guatemalan variety is most toxic – but all have toxic potential. They cause vomiting/diarrhea - primarily gastrointestinal distress. Chocolate (all forms) Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. Signs: Initial excitation. Increased drinking and urinating. Vomiting and Diarrhea. Theobromine causes an increased heart rate and arrhythmia –. Seizures can then be seen. Death is then possible. ACTION PLAN: Induce vomiting, give activated charcoal, and go to the Vet if depression and seizures begin. Baker’s chocolate and high cocoa content chocolate is the most toxic; the toxic dose is 2 baking squares for a 10lb dog. Regular chocolate bars have little real chocolate and are seldom toxic. Coffee (all forms) Coffee contains dangerous components called xanthines, which cause nervous system or urinary system damage and heart muscle stimulation Fatty foods The primary concern here is severe gastrointestinal upset- and in some cases Pancreatitis. This can be fatal in some pets- and it is ALMOST always triggered by a High Fat Meal, such as gravy or bacon. Macadamia nuts Macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscles of dogs. This has lead to paralysis. A small number of nuts and even the butter can cause this. Moldy or spoiled foods Many molds contain a type of toxin called an Aflatoxin. This is thought to be a common cause of “compost toxicity”. Signs include GI (Vomiting/Diarrhea), muscle tremors, in-coordination, elevated temperature, excessive salivation, and liver damage. Avoid feeding ANYTHING moldy to your dog or cat. Onions, onion powder Onions contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop anemia. 1 Onion can cause this. Fortunately ALL dogs recover once they are stopped from ingesting onions. Raisins and grapes As few as 6 grapes and raisins have caused acute kidney failure in some dogs. The toxic ingredient is not yet known. There is no treatment. AVOID feeding ANY grapes or raisins to your dogs. Yeast dough The yeast dough/uncooked bread dough will rise in your pet’s stomach causing severe gastrointestinal distress (vomiting/diarrhea), bloating, and signs of alcohol toxicity. Xylitol Xylitol is a artificial sweeter found in “SUGAR FREE” Products, such as gum, candy etc. Signs relate to a sudden drop in glucose (blood sugar), in-coordination, collapse and seizures. More Tomorrow