The kitchen in a typical home is actually one of the most hazardous places for a pet—in addition to the sharp utensils and hot surfaces that abound there, many human foods are quite toxic for our furry friends! Here, a Smyrna vet discusses five of the most common.
Grapes & Raisins
It’s still not entirely known why grapes and raisins are toxic to pets, but they’ve proven dangerous and even deadly in many cases. Since grapes sometimes sit out in festive bowls around the kitchen, they’re even easier for pets to get ahold of. Play it safe and keep all grapes and raisins in a proper receptacle inside your refrigerator.
Chocolate
Most pet owners already know about this one—chocolate is one of the worst substances you can let a pet have. All varieties of chocolate contain varying levels of caffeine and theobromine, harmful chemicals for our pets. Ingestion can result in weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even coma and death if left untreated. Always store chocolate where pets can’t reach.
Candy
Many candies and gums are sweetened not with actual sugar, but with an artificial substitute known as xylitol. Xylitol purportedly aids us humans with dental benefits, but it’s highly toxic to our pets. Even a few sticks of gum or pieces of candy can lead to serious health symptoms, so keep all candies and gums far out of your pet’s reach.
Onions
Did you know that onions—cooked, raw, powdered, or in any other form—can prove toxic to pets? Onion toxicity is most commonly reported in dogs, but this may simply be because most cats don’t go out of their way to eat an onion. It’s safest to have all pets avoid the vegetable.
Salty Foods
Salt itself and salty foods like chips and pretzels are a big no-no for pets. These foods can increase thirst in a pet, increase urination, and even cause sodium ion poisoning in severe cases. Keep the salty treats to yourself!
Of course, these aren’t the only toxic human foods for pets. Contact your Smyrna veterinarian for a complete list of goodies to keep away from your four-legged friend.
