Top Five Foods Toxic to Pets

Top Five Foods Toxic to Pets

            Ingestion of human foods are one of the top reasons for calls to pet poison control centers and visits to the vet. Some foods are quite toxic to pets and can cause mild to serious illness.  Let’s look at the top five foods that are toxic to many pets including dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits and rodents to varying degrees.

•  Chocolate—compounds in chocolate such as methylxanthine and theobromine can be toxic to most animals, especially in high amounts. Dogs are particularly sensitive, but feeding chocolate to any pet should be avoided.  High doses of cocoa powder or dark chocolate can cause seizures, rapid heart rate and other adverse effects.
• Grapes and Raisins—While rabbits and rodents can eat grapes in moderation, grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs, cats and ferrets even in small amounts.  A compound found in grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in some species. Avoid feeding to dogs, cats and ferrets and feed sparingly to rabbits and rodents due to the sugar content.
• Onions/Garlic—plants in the allium family contain disulfides which can cause the breakdown of red blood cells leading to anemia in most pet species.  Don’t panic if your dog or cat eats a small piece of onion, but do not feed foods containing garlic or onions on a regular basis—repeated consumption increases the risk of hemolytic anemia.
• Avocados—the flesh of avocados contains a compound called persin which is mildly to moderately toxic in dogs, rats and cats but highly toxic to rabbits and ferrets.  Persin can cause vomiting and diarrhea in many pets but may lead to respiratory distress, edema, cardiac changes and even death in rabbits. Persin is found in the skin, flesh and seeds. The large avocado seeds could also pose a risk of causing an intestinal blockage if swallowed whole by dogs.
• Xylitol—found in many foods, this artificial sweetener is safe in small quantities for rats (though feeding is not recommended), but it is highly toxic to most other pets.  Xylitol causes rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar, seizures or tremors and can also lead to liver damage.  Patients can die if symptoms are not recognized and treated.  Common foods containing xylitol include gum and sugar-free candy as well as some types of sugar-free peanut butter so read labels carefully before feeding peanut butter to pets.

In general, human foods should be fed in moderation to pets, but use particular caution with those listed above.  If you suspect your pet has eaten a food that may be toxic or is showing symptoms of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration or seizures/tremors, seek veterinary care immediately. Many toxin exposures can be treated, but early intervention is key.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/poison-proof-your-home/kitchen/

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets