Dangerous foods for cats and dogs.

However tempting it may seem at the time, there are some very good reasons why you should never ‘give in’ and share food at your table with your cat or dog. At best it encourages poor manners from both the pet and the human; but most importantly it can do your pet more harm than good.  

It’s easy to overlook, for instance, that the gravy poured over the remains of your Sunday roast was probably flavoured with onions, among other things. Tasty for us maybe, but extremely toxic to your pet.

We’ve listed here some of the ‘people foods’ that are potentially harmful to cats and dogs and should be avoided.

Onions, Garlic, & Related Root Vegetables

Onion, garlic and chives (dry, raw or cooked) contain thiosulphate, which can irritate the gastrointestinal system of your pet. A relatively high dosage in one meal can damage red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia).

Chocolate

It is well known that chocolate is very toxic to both cats and dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine (a methylxanthine derivative), which can cause vomitting, diarohea, excessive panting, frequent urination, thirst, seizures, hyperactivity, abnormal heart beat and possibly death. The negative effects depend on the dosage, the size of the animal, and the type of chocolate.

Caffeine

Coffee and tea warrant the same precautions as for chocolate. Like theobromine, caffeine is a methylxanthine derivative with similar effects on dogs and cats.

Grapes and Raisins

The toxicity of these foods can lead to kidney failure. As yet, it is not known what substance in grapes causes this, but has mainly been found in dogs, in quantities of varying amounts. Remember, raisins are often used in cakes and biscuits.

Milk

Although milk is not toxic to cats or dogs, it may have adverse effects. As long as they are fed a balanced, nutritional diet, animals don't need milk. Some may even be lactose-intolerant, which means that the lactose in milk and milk products produces stomach upset, cramps, and gassiness. Try goat’s milk as a safer alternative and always see that your pet’s drinking bowl is kept full of fresh water.

Raw or undercooked meat and eggs

There is some controversy about including raw meat in a cat’s or dog’s diet, an issue one might expect to be a logical assumption given the animal’s wild ancestry. As for humans, care needs to be taken in handling raw meat and eggs to avoid the possibility of contamination with Salmonella bacteria and E. coli. Raw eggs contain an enzyme (avidin) that can lead to skin and coat problems for a dog.

Bones

Bones are always a favourite with any dog but can present a serious choking hazard. When roasted they become brittle and can break apart into jagged pieces that may lodge in the digestive tract. Chicken bones are also easily splintered and can be a danger to both cats and dogs. Treat your dog to sturdy marrow bones that are less likely to splinter, or nylon bones that wear down slowly.