Dangerous foods
Giving your pets human food can be a fun treat and might be a great way to make sure they eat. We all do it! But, it is important to know what foods to avoid giving your cat or dog.
Some pets are very good at stealing food too and they can be very sneaky! It is important to know when to be worried and when to take your pet to the vet if they have eaten something they shouldn’t have.
If you are worried that your pet has eaten something dangerous, please talk to a vet or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
PLEASE NOTE, Vets for Pets does not provide emergency services. We check our emails as often as we can but please DO NOT rely on us to get back to you in time if your pet has eaten something dangerous. Please reach out to an emergency clinic in your area, if you think your pet needs to see a vet.
Foods to always avoid for dogs
Grapes and raisins
We don’t really know why these fruits are toxic to dogs but they can cause kidney failure. They are not toxic to all dogs, all the time. For example, your dog might eat 4 grapes and be just fine but 3 months later, eating half a grape could make them very sick. It is important to always avoid feeding these fruits to avoid them getting sick. If your dog eats a grape, please get in touch with a vet
Chocolate
Chocolate can make dogs vomit and have diarrhea but it can also affect their heart and make them very sick. The most dangerous types of chocolate are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate.
Check out this calculator to see if your pet has eaten too much https://vetcalculators.com/chocolate.html
Alcohol
Dogs are a lot more sensitive to alcohol than people. Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous and can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and nerve problems. If you are worried that your dog has had too much, please contact a vet.
Avocados
The fruit and skin can make your dog quite sick with vomiting and diarrhea. The pit of the avocado can cause a blockage in their intestines which might need surgery to remove. If your dog eats a little, that is ok - just keep a close eye on them. If they keep vomiting or having diarrhea, please try and see a vet.
Macadamia nuts
Even just a small number of nuts can make dogs sick. You might notice shaking, weakness, vomiting and a fever. Please contact a vet if your dog eats any of these nuts.
Onions, garlic and chives
Eating these foods can cause the red blood cells in your dog’s blood to die and cause anemia. If your dog eats a lot of these foods all at once, it can be very dangerous. If they get just a small amount, once, it is probably ok.
Xylitol
This is an artificial sweetener that can be found in candy, gum and toothpaste. It causes a fast drop in blood sugar and might lead to seizures and liver failure in your dog. If your dog has eaten something with xylitol in it, please contact a vet.
Bones
Raw and cooked bones can be very dangerous for your dog. They can break and cause damage to your dog’s throat, stomach and intestines. They can cause a blockage in the intestines. And they can break teeth as well. If you are worried that your dog may be injured from eating a bone, please contact a vet.
Human medication
Please never give your dog any human medication unless recommended by a vet. Even common medications such as Advil can be very dangerous for your dog. If your dog gets into any medication, please call poison control or contact a vet.
Foods to always avoid for cats
Onions and garlic
Eating these foods can make your cat very sick by destroying their red blood cells leading to anemia. Look out for weakness, pale gums or red pee as signs of emergency if your cat does eat these foods.
Grapes and raisins
Even a small amount of grapes or raisins can cause very bad and very quick kidney failure. Please contact a vet right away, if you think your cat has eaten any of these fruits.
Lilies (flowers)
These are not foods but cats do like to chew on plants and flowers. Lilies are very toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure. If your cat even licks a lily, it can be an emergency. It is best to avoid having these around your cats in general.
Raw eggs and meat
Raw foods like this can carry bacteria that can cause infection to your cat but also to you and other friends and family!
Chocolate
Chocolate is bad for cats just like it is for dogs. Dark chocolate is going to be the most dangerous. It can cause vomiting, tremors, heart problems and seizures.
Check out this calculator to see if your pet has eaten too much https://vetcalculators.com/chocolate.html
Alcohol
Even a small amount of alcohol can be very dangerous to a cat. It can cause vomiting, tremors, breathing problems and a coma. Please call a vet if you are worried that your cat might have had too much alcohol.
Milk and other dairy products
Cats are actually lactose intolerant so although they might love dairy products, too much is not good for their stomach. A little bit here and there is ok but avoid giving these products to your cat every day.
Human Medication
Many human medications can be toxic to your cat. Common medications like Advil and Tylenol are very toxic to cats. Tylenol might be ok if a dog has a small amount but this medication is VERY dangerous to cats. If your cat has eaten any medication at all, please contact poison control or a local vet.
Please know that these are not all of the dangerous and toxic foods to dogs and cats. There are more that are not included on this list. If you are ever worried about your pet, please contact a veterinarian.