Human Food and Pets
Watch your plates! According to the U.S. News and World Report, the following "people" foods are the most toxic for dogs and cats. Click through to see what food you must keep away from your pet.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromide, a chemical that can damage a dog's lungs, heart, kidneys and nervous system. Baking chocolate is the most toxic to canines, but owners should avoid feeding their pooch any kind of chocolate.
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Milk
This is probably surprising to many, but adult cats are lactose intolerant. They can't break down milk sugar, and thus dairy products can cause dehydration and diarrhea in your felines.
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Grapes and Raisins
It can take just four to five grapes or raisins for your dog to get extremely sick. Small amounts can lead to irreversible kidney damage in most dogs. Take your canine to the vet immediately if it eats grapes, especially raisins, as the latter are more easy to gobble up quickly in large amounts.
Bones and Fat
Bones and fat usually cause upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting in cats. Bones are also dangerous for cats because they can lead to choking, or create obstructions and lacerations in your feline's digestive tract.
Macadamia Nuts
Not usually fatal, macadamia nuts can still cause severe illness in your dog. A mere handful of these nuts can lead to vomiting, muscle and joint pain, swelling and lethargy.
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Onion
Any form of onions (raw, cooked, powdered, etc.) is unsafe for your cat. A small amount of this root vegetable can easily cause onion poisoning. Onion poisoning breaks down a cat's red blood cells, causing anemia, weight loss, lethargy and more.
Garlic
Similar to onions, a small amount of garlic can quickly cause internal problems in your cat. Feline stomachs are easily upset by garlic, and the ingredient can also cause red blood cell damage.
Gum
The sugar-free sweetener xylitol found in gum can stimulate a dog's pancreas to secrete insulin. This effect can lead to low blood sugar and severe liver damage.
Coffee
A large dose of caffeine is usually fatal to cats. Small amounts of the substance can lead to restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations and tremors. For your cat's safety, all drinks with caffeine should be kept out of paw's reach.
Raw Eggs
Cats can get food poisoning from the salmonella or E. coli sometimes found in raw eggs. Additionally, the avidin found in egg whites can prevent your feline's absorption of vitamin B, leading to skin problems and fur loss.
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Wine
The ethanol found in alcohol can cause rapid damage to your dog's respiratory and central nervous systems. Alcohol is absorbed by the body very quickly, so it is important to call the vet immediately if you believe your canine has imbibed any alcohol.
Dough
Just like in alcohol, yeast dough contains ethanol. Consumption of yeast dough by a dog can result in lethargy, weakness and low body temperature. Immediate medical attention should be sought if your dog ingests any yeast dough.
