Is human food safe for cats and dogs?
It’s always tempting to give our pet a bite of food from our plates. Dogs have a way of begging with their big, sad eyes that are hard to resist. We wonder what harm can it really do to them if we just give them a small bite?
It can actually do a lot of harm to them. Human food can be really toxic, causing mild reactions like an upset stomach to severe reactions like coma and death. The best prevention is to keep human food away from pets. Further down in this post you’ll find a list of food that pets should never have.
My friend’s dog was okay after eating it.
Reactions to toxic food and drinks can appear right away, but may not appear for up to forty-eight hours after your pet consumes them.
The reactions and the severity of your pet’s response to the food can vary, depending on the size and weight of your pet and how much of the food was consumed. I’m not a veterinarian or a medical expert so I can’t tell you if your pet is going to have an adverse reaction or not, and how severe it will be if she does have a reaction. The best thing you can do if your pet eats or drinks anything unsafe is to seek medical help right away from a veterinarian.
But the internet says…
I’m all for seeking out information online. There’s a lot of good resources out there. But, there’s also a lot of bad information out there. Remember, it’s not always a good thing to rely on medical advice from the internet (for pets or people)! Posting a question on social media, and waiting for an answer, about whether or not your pet should see a doctor can waste valuable time. Timing is important when it comes to your pet getting into anything toxic and immediate veterinary care could be the difference between life and death.
What should I do if my pet ate something he shouldn’t have?
If your pet eats or drinks anything on the list below, call your veterinarian right away. If the doctor isn’t available, call the nearest emergency veterinary hospital. It’s a good idea to have these phone numbers in an open spot for quick and easy reference.
Help is also available around the clock, every day of the year, by calling the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661(consultation fees may be charged) or Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 (consultation fees may be charged). It’s also a good idea to have these phone numbers in an open spot for quick and easy reference.
What treatment will the veterinarian provide if my pet ate something toxic?
Treatment may include hospitalization, surgery, intravenous fluids, blood tests to monitor organ function, urinalysis, chemical blood profile, electrolyte panel, and ECG. Pain medication may also be prescribed.
Food you should never feed to your pets…No matter how much they beg
Alcohol
As little as a lick or two can cause serious problems. Just one tablespoon of alcohol can put an adult cat in a coma. More than a tablespoon can kill her.
Alcohol Can Cause:
brain damage
coma
death
diarrhea
difficulty breathing
digestive upset
disorientation
liver damage
neurological damage
shaking
vomiting
Avocados
Avocado fruit, pits, leaves, bark, and plant contain persin. Persin is a fungicidal toxin that can be fatal in birds, cows, goats, sheep, horses, and other animals. There are mixed opinions on the safety of avocados for cats and dogs. Your best bet is to call a veterinarian to see what she says.
Avocados Can Cause:
esophagus blockage (pit)
intestinal tract blockage (pit)
pancreatitis (can lead to death) (fruit)
stomach blockage (pit)
Raw Bones & Rawhide
Bones need to be human-grade meaty bones. And, most importantly, they need to be raw. Cooked bones can splinter and cause serious problems. This article written by Dr. Becker has a lot of great information about the risks and benefits of feeding bones to your dog. It also has information on healthy alternatives to bones.
Raw Bones and Rawhide Can Cause:
choking
damage to the digestive tract
damage to the mouth
intestinal obstruction (which can cause death)
Caffeine
Caffeine is found in coffee, coffee grounds, soda, tea, tea bags, cold medicines, energy drinks, and some food.
Caffeine Can Cause:
breathing difficulties
diarrhea
heart palpitations
hyperactivity
increased body temperature
increased heart rate
muscle tremors
rapid breathing
restlessness
seizures
shaking
tremors
vomiting
Cherries
Cherry stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide and are toxic. The ripe pulp may be safe (check with your veterinarian before giving them to your pet).
Cherries Can Cause:
breathing problems
bright red mucus membranes
death
dilated pupils
low oxygen levels
panting
shock
Chocolate
Chocolate contains both theobromine and caffeine. Both of these are methylxanthines which are stimulants. Dark chocolate contains more theobromine than milk chocolate. Even white chocolate can harm a pet.
Chocolate Can Cause:
blood pressure drop
cardiac failure
coma
death
diarrhea
heart failure
increased body temperature
increased heart rate
increased reflex responses
low blood pressure
muscle rigidity
muscle tremors
rapid breathing
seizures
vomiting
weakness
Cinnamon
Both cinnamon powder (used for cooking) and cinnamon essential oil are toxic.
Inhaled Cinnamon Can Cause:
bronchospasm
choking
coughing
difficulty breathing
Consumed Cinnamon Can Cause:
changes in heart rate
diarrhea
liver disease
low blood sugar
vomiting
Fat Trimmings
Fat Trimmings Can Cause:
diarrhea
liver problems
pancreatitis
risk of E. coli
risk of salmonella
vomiting
Fruits with Pits
Pits Can Cause:
choking hazard
obstructions in the stomach
obstructions in the intestinal tract
Grapes and Raisins
Reports have shown that even small amounts of grapes and raisins can cause big problems for dogs. While there are no reports for cats, it isn’t worth taking a chance when it comes to kidney failure.
Grapes and Raisins Can Cause:
acute kidney failure
death
decreased appetite
diarrhea
lethargy
shivering
vomiting
Green Tomatoes
Green tomatoes contain solanine. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid toxin that is found in plants in the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers). Pets should not eat green tomatoes; however, ripe tomatoes may be non-toxic to some pets. Check with your veterinarian to be sure your pet can have them. All parts of tomato plants are toxic.
Solanine Can Cause:
depression
dilated pupils
excessive salivation or drooling
lack of appetite
severe gastrointestinal upset
slow heart rate
weakness
Milk & Dairy
Cats are lactose intolerant so any kind of milk or dairy products can make some cats miserable.
Milk and Dairy Can Cause:
diarrhea
vomiting
Mushrooms
Mushrooms Can Cause:
seizures
vomiting
Nutmeg
Nutmeg contains a chemical called myristicin. Myristicin is a naturally occurring poison that kills insects, mites, and ticks. It is very toxic to pets too. Both whole and ground nutmeg powder are dangerous.
Nutmeg Can Cause:
changes in heart rate
death
decrease in body temperature
decreased production of saliva
dehydration
diarrhea
disorientation
liver disease
low blood sugar
muscle tremors
nervous system damage
seizures
tremors
vomiting
Nuts
All nuts should be avoided; however macadamia nuts are especially toxic to pets.
Nuts Can Cause:
lethargy
loss of muscle control
seizures
vomiting
Onions & Garlic
Both raw and cooked onions and garlic are dangerous to pets. All members of the onion and garlic family contain thiosulphate. Although thiosulphate is being studied for its ability to treat cyanide poisoning in dogs, it is still widely considered to be toxic to pets and should be avoided. If you give your pet broth or baby food, be sure to check the ingredients because they can contain onions and/or garlic.
Onions and Garlic Can Cause:
ruptured red blood cells (causing anemia)
digestive upset
weight loss
Raw Dough & Yeast
Yeast can expand and rise in a pet’s stomach causing extreme pain among other problems. As yeast ferments, it produces carbon dioxide and alcohol. The carbon dioxide causes gas to build up in your pet’s stomach. The alcohol can lead to alcohol toxicity.
Yeast Can Cause:
diarrhea
stomach bloating
tearing of internal organs
twisting of internal organs
vomiting
Raw Egg
The protein in egg whites contains an enzyme called avidin. Avidin can block the absorption of biotin, causing a deficiency. Biotin is an important B vitamin. More studies are needed, but since egg yolks contain high levels of biotin, they are thought to counteract the negative aspects of avidin in egg whites. Cooking egg whites changes the structure of avidin, making it less harmful for some pets. Be sure to check with your veterinarian to make sure your pet can have cooked eggs.
Raw Eggs Can Cause:
biotin deficiency
inhibited cell growth
inhibited fatty acid metabolism
loss of skin and coat condition
risk of salmonella
Raw Meat
Raw meat can make pets sick if it isn’t handled properly. There are a lot of benefits of feeding pets a raw food diet, but care needs to be taken in preparing, handling, and serving it.
Raw Meat Can Contain:
bacteria – salmonella and E. coli
parasites – toxoplasma and tapeworms
Too Much Raw Liver Can Cause:
dangerous imbalance of vitamin A
Raw or Green Potatoes
Raw, or green potatoes contain solanine. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid toxin that is found in plants in the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers). Pets should not eat raw or green potatoes. Cooking potatoes may reduce the levels of solanine. Check with your veterinarian to be sure your pet can have them. All parts of potato plants are toxic.
Solanine Can Cause:
depression
dilated pupils
excessive salivation or drooling
lack of appetite
severe gastrointestinal upset
slow heart rate
weakness
Raw Seafood
Raw seafood contains thiaminase enzymes. These enzymes can cause a deficiency of an important B vitamin (thiamine). Cooking changes the thiaminase enzymes and renders them harmless (check with your veterinarian to be sure your pet can have cooked seafood).
Raw Sea Food Can Contain:
bacteria
parasites
Rhubarb
Rhubarb Can Cause:
bloody urine
change in thirst and urination
diarrhea
digestive problems
drooling
kidney damage
lack of appetite
lethargy
tremors
vomiting
weakness
Salt
Salt can be found in almost everything. Be sure to watch your pets around salt lamps (if licked), homemade play dough, de-icing salts, baking soda, seawater, and foods containing salt.
Salt Can Cause:
brain swelling
coma
death
decreased appetite
diarrhea
excessive thirst
excessive urination
lack of coordination
lethargy
seizures
tremors
vomiting
Tuna Fish
Tuna in cat food is safe. Even in small amounts, human-grade tuna (along with the water it’s packed in) isn’t as safe. It, as well as other fish with high oil content, can cause:
addictive behavior
change in personality
digestive upset
mercury poisoning
steatitis (inflammation of the body’s fatty tissue)
Xylitol
Reports have shown that even small amounts of xylitol can cause big problems for most domestic and livestock animals. While there are no reports for cats, it isn’t worth taking a chance when it comes to liver failure.
Xylitol Can Cause:
convulsions
death
liver failure
seizures
sudden and severe drop in blood sugar