Just Say “No,” Girl, to Feeding Your Doggy or Kitty These Foods

Okay, okay… I know first-hand how hard it is to resist the soul-searching, pleading eyes of a begging pet watching you savor each bite of your delectable snack. And on the flip side, I also know how unappetizing it is to wipe dog drool off your J. Crew ballet flats when it falls from your pup’s Pavlovian mouth.

I’m sure that most of you fabulous pet parents are already familiar with which foods should be avoided in dogs and cats. However, please share the following list with new pet owners and re-familiarize yourself with it. Read it. Memorize it. Recite it as your daily mantra during yoga. Say it in place of your wedding vows. Think of it as your mental armor to help you resist those sad, beseeching pet eyes set in the furry face of the pet whose best intentions you have at heart. You need all the strength you can get to say “no” to those cute little faces. And let’s face it, it’ll leave more food for you so you can Treat Yo Self.

 

Chocolate

Ah, chocolate. It’s the way to my heart. It’s also a way to induce a heart issue in dogs and cats, such as an abnormal heart rhythm. In addition to possible cardiac problems, chocolate ingestion is likely to cause GI upset (such as vomiting and diarrhea), hyper behavior, and muscle tremors. Though less common, chocolate toxicity can induce seizures as well as hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature). The higher the cocoa content, the more toxic the product; therefore, dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most risky. And the greater the amount ingested, the more severe the side effects. Best leave the chocolate for your Valentine only!

Caffeinated Beverages

Caffeine is a type of methylxanthine (the toxic agent also found in chocolate). Ingestion can cause the same side effects addressed above. Therefore, caffeinated beverages such as coffee (my personal vice), tea, sodas, and energy drinks are better left to your drowsy, jittery self.

 

Alcohol

Don’t let all those suave-looking, booze-chugging canines in the Dogs Playing Poker oil paintings fool ya: alcoholic beverages can be toxic to pets. At minimum, vomiting and diarrhea can occur following consumption. Alcohol can also cause an acid-base imbalance of the bloodstream. More importantly, alcohol acts as a depressant of the central nervous system, resulting in breathing impairment, severe sleepiness, coma, or even death. Those card-dealing artsy dogs really are true gamblers, huh?

Grapes and Raisins

The mechanism of action behind grape, raisin, sultana, and currant toxicity has been recently theorized to be caused by tartaric acid and its salt, potassium bitartrate. Ingestion by dogs can cause GI issues as well as potential kidney damage. This can quickly escalate to acute kidney failure and potential death in some canines. Quick response in the face of grape or raisin toxicity is essential, so please contact your veterinarian ASAP if your pet ate any of your “pre-wine” fruit. Tartaric acid is largely removed to make wine, juice, and jam, so toxicity is less likely to occur if your dog were to ingest these types of related products.

Onions and Garlic

C’mon… You’ve wondered if your cat is a vampire, too, right? Yowling around all night. Lurking in the shadows. And those fangs! Alriiiiight, so your cat unfortunately didn’t make the cut as an extra in those campy Twilight movies, but she does have one thing in common with vampires… a weakness to garlic (and its pungent relatives). Garlic, onions, and chives can all cause hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells) in both cats and dogs. Ingestion of a large quantity of these odoriferous food items can be fatal since red blood cells are vital in the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the entire body.

Macadamia Nuts

Although all nuts can induce GI upset (primarily diarrhea) since they contain a high amount of essential fatty acids, macadamia nuts in particular are toxic. These yummy nuts can cause tremors, uncoordinated movement, and progressive paralysis. Fortunately, a full recovery within 3-4 days with appropriate treatment is the norm.

Bread Dough

Carbs are my love language. But avoid feeding your pet bread dough containing yeast before it has baked. The fermentation effect of the yeast is responsible for its gaseous rising action and the creation of the fluffy rolls that we so love. However, ingestion of raw dough can lead to an expansion process in the digestive system, leading to painful and potentially life-threatening distension of the stomach. The fermentation products can also cause an imbalance of acid-base status in the bloodstream, which can affect breathing and the central nervous system, potentially resulting in death. I always thought carbs may be the death of me, but I’m gonna avoid that risk in my pets.

Raw Meat and Fatty Meats

And while you’re waiting on your bread dough to rise in the oven, don’t be tempted to feed bits of raw meat to your beggar of a pet during meal prep. This also means no raw eggs. Consumption of uncooked meat and eggs could cause nutritional imbalances as well as a severe bacterial infection of the GI tract, which could potentially spread systemically to the rest of the body. Bacteria and parasites can also linger on freeze-dried raw foods. Furthermore, certain bacteria can also impair the nervous system. (You’ve probably already guessed it, but no, I do not advocate feeding a raw diet to your pet despite its popularity and theorized health benefits. Click here to read The Meowing Vet’s comprehensive article on pet nutrition.) And even if your pet patiently waits until after your meat has been properly prepared (wow, that’s a lot of “p”s), be cautious when feeding fatty meats such as ham and meat grease to your dog or cat as these can induce severe GI upset and pancreatitis (a very painful and potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas in which the pancreas tries to “digest itself”!). Other fried and oily foods are likewise off-limits.

Meat & Fish Bones

Though not toxic per se, meat and fish bones (particularly those which have been cooked) can be extremely dangerous to dogs and cats. Bone fragments can splinter off into sharp points, damaging and even perforating the GI tract. Pets can choke when attempting to swallow whole bones or large bone fragments, and large pieces can also lodge in the GI system, potentially causing an obstructive foreign body which requires surgical removal. So it’s best to offer your pet another safe treat and throw bones safely in the garbage.

Dairy Products

I should have eye strain by now from the amount of times I’ve rolled my eyes when an adult cat is depicted in art or film consuming a huge bowl of milk. I looooove me some Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but does Holly Golightly really have to feed Cat milk of all things?!!! Yes, cats (and dogs) love the taste of milk and other dairy products (cheese, please?),  but adult pets are largely lactose-intolerant, their bodies no longer producing much lactase, the enzyme responsible for digesting the primary protein in dairy items. A small amount of dairy is usually safe, but a large volume can lead to significant GI issues, especially diarrhea. Audrey Hepburn was never filmed cleaning that off her carpet, now was she?

Sugar-Free Gum (Xylitol)

If you notice that your pet has bad breath, better call your vet and discuss scheduling a dental cleaning instead of reaching for a piece of chewing gum, especially if it’s sugar-free. Most sugar-free gum contains xylitol, a sugar-free sweetener alternative that can be toxic to pets, primarily dogs. Xylitol ingestion can cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), central nervous system impairment, or severe liver disease or failure. Xylitol can also be found in many other sugar-substituted products such as toothpastes, sugar-free candy, baking products, and even sugar-free peanut butter, so be sure to thoroughly read the label before offering a treat to your adorable doggie or kitty.

If you suspect that your dog or cat has ingested a toxic substance, including these discussed toxic foods, please consult your local veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435.

Also keep in mind that spoiled foods and garbage ingestion can also be toxic to pets. And while fruit pits (like avocado or peach pits) and corn cobs are not necessarily toxic, they can pose choking or GI foreign body risks. Best to steer your pets away from these human food products, too, as well as apple seeds and large quantities of nutmeg.

Click here for information on the Nutrient Requirements of dogs and cats as well as the pros and cons of homemade, raw, and vegetarian diets. Learn about other pet toxins such as Poisonous Household Plants and Mushrooms as well as Rat Bait Toxicity. In the meantime, please keep yourselves informed about pet toxins by downloading the APCC’s free mobile app.

– Maranda Elswick, DVM