Pets are a dear source of companionship to their owners worldwide. Dogs and cats are the most preferred household pets, and many owners tend to give them human food. However, there are some human foods that have been linked to pet toxicity and can adversely affect their health. In this article, we outline some of these toxic foods:
1. Raw eggs and raw meat and bones
Raw eggs and raw meat can be breeding grounds for bacteria such as salmonella, which can be harmful to your pet and humans. In addition to this, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that hinders the absorption of a B vitamin called biotin. This lack of uptake of the vitamin can cause skin and coat problems in cats and dogs. While feeding your dog raw bones may seem natural and healthy, it may be dangerous for a domesticated pet as they might choke on the bones. Your cat or dog could also sustain life-threatening injuries if a splinter of the bone punctures or becomes lodged in their digestive tract.
2. Onions and garlic
Onions and garlic can result in your dog or cat developing gastrointestinal irritation, which could damage their red blood cells, causing them to be anemic. Cats are more susceptible to these vegetables and herbs, with dogs at risk if they consume them in high amounts.
3. Chocolate
It contains substances called methylxanthines which are naturally occurring in cacao seeds. When these substances are ingested in cats and dogs, they cause diarrhea and vomiting, panting, excessive thirst, hyperactivity, tremors, and abnormal heart rhythms and can even result in death. White-chocolates contain lower methylxanthines levels than dark chocolate, which has the highest levels.
4. Grapes and raisins
Even when taken in small amounts,it can cause illness in your cat, and this can quickly take a downward spiral as it can lead to kidney failure. Within 12 hours after ingestion, vomiting may begin to occur. Other signs can show up after 24 hours, including prolonged diarrhea, diminished appetite, abdominal pain, and reduced urination. Although the true reason is unclear, grapes and raisins present an elevated risk of kidney failure in your cat, although some cats do not show any adverse symptoms. As outlined earlier, the specific reason why grapes are toxic is not known, but there are suspected reasons are tannins and pesticides, which may have been used as the grapes or raisins were growing may still be on their skin, which may be the causative agent for kidney failure. Feline diabetes chemicals in the fruits may be responsible for their adverse effects when ingested by your pet. Lastly, it is advisable to keep your dog or cat away from any part of a grape or raisin. It would be best to prevent them from drinking any juices that may contain them.
5. Caffeine
While we may start a typical morning with a caffeinated drink such as coffee, this should not be the case for your pet. When your pet consumes caffeinated beverages or foods, they may become hyperactive as their bodies do not process the drug the same way as humans. When your cat or dog drinks caffeinated drinks or foods, their blood pressure may rise sharply, which can be life-threatening to the animal. In addition to this, your pet may experience tremors and seizures and lose muscle control. Caffeine can also affect the gastrointestinal tract causing diarrhea and vomiting.
