It’s very important for our pet’s good health, to maintain a correct and balanced diet. There is a wide variety of animal food available commercially and with guidance from our veterinarian, we can choose the most appropriate ones corresponding to each stage of our pet’s life.
Apart from the commercial pet food that we choose, we will often be tempted to give our pet a treat from our own food.
Let’s see though which food is forbidden because it can be dangerous for our trusted friend’s health.
Food which is dangerous to dogs
- Onions, garlic and bulbs
In any form (raw or cooked) they can cause intestinal issues such as vomit, diarrhea and anorexia, or more severe problems such as blood disorders like damage of red blood cells and anaemia.
- Chocolate
It contains the toxic theobromine (higher consistency in dark chocolate). It causes gastrointestinal issues such as vomit and diarrhea as well as severe kidney damage. In large quantity it can even result in death.
- Macademia nuts
They contain a toxin that affects a dog’s myoskeletal system, resulting in lameness, swollen leg joints, instability and weakness.
- Avocado
Avocado’s high consistency of fatty acid Parsin, makes it innocent for humans but highly toxic for dogs.
- Chewing gum and Sweets
Xylitol which is found in them, causes a rapid increase in insulin and a sudden drop in glucose, resulting in serious liver and pancreas damages for dogs, as well as blood clotting disorders.
- Grapes and sultanas
Even tough the actual toxin which makes them toxic is still unknown, grapes and sultanas cause serious liver damage and kidney failure to dogs.
- Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol can cause serious side effects for dogs. Vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, lameness, depression, liver encephalopathy and even death.
- Coffee
Caffeine creates symptoms of poisoning such as hyperactivity, tachypnea, tachycardia, muscular spasms and haemorrhaging.
- Animal Fat and Bones
Animal fat = pancreatitis
Animal bones = choking, punctured stomach and intestine, intestinal disorders. The worst daily enemy!
- Raw egg, raw meat and fish
Raw eggs can lead to E. Coli poisoning.
Like raw eggs, raw meat can also contain poisonous bacteria.
Raw fish and especially fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines can contain a parasite that causes severe infection with initial symptoms such as vomit, fever and swollen lymph nodes.
- Yeast (dough)
It continues its job in the dog’s stomach, which means it continues to bloat and can cause stomach expansion and pain!
- Dairy
Milk and dairy products cause diarrhea, intestinal disorders and intolerance as well as possibly leading to a number of allergies.
Food which is dangerous to cats
- Onions and garlic
In large quantities they can cause stomach problems, destruction of red blood cells and anaemia.
- Chocolate
The toxic substance theobromine can cause cardiac arrhythmia, muscle spasms and epileptic fits to cats.
- Alcohol
Even a teaspoon can cause serious liver problem and brain damage.
- Sugar
Sugar consumption in cats can result in obesity, diabetes, caries and other oral lesions.
- Coffee, tea and other energy beverages
Hyperactivity, over-stimulation, tachycardia, tachypnea, muscular tremor and other symptoms that caffeine consumption can cause.
- Raw fish, raw eggs
The danger of contracting bacteria such as salmonella and E. Coli is exceptionally high. In addition, the presence of the avidin enzyme in raw eggs causes Vitamin B malabsorption, a vitamin necessary for a cat’s healthy fur coat.
- Animal Fat
Can cause vomit, diarrhea, pancreatitis
- Grapes and sultanas
Consuming them can lead to kidney failure
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