This information has been compiled from
several sources
Table scraps (in large amounts) -
Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never
be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat;
bones should not be fed.
Meats - Meats should be boneless and it’s best if the skin is removed.
Raw meat has a small risk of food poisoning and
parasites.
Vegetables - Dogs have shorter digestive tracts than
humans and cannot digest most vegetables whole or in large
chunks. It’s best to put them through a food processor before
giving them to your dog.
Grains - Grains (rice,
bread, oats) should not be given in large amounts or make up a
large part of a dog’s diet, but these foods are generally safe in small
amounts.
Baby food - Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic
to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in
nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
Fatty foods - Can cause
vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. Can also result
in an inflammatory condition of the pancreas (pancreatitis),
particularly in dogs.
Fat trimmings can cause pancreatitus.
Moldy or spoiled foods - May contain certain molds that
release toxins which can cause vomiting, severe tremors,
seizures and death. Spoiled food can also contain bacterial
toxins which can produce severe food poisoning signs.
Sugary foods -
Can lead to
obesity, dental problems, and possibly
diabetes mellitus.
Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources
- Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Cat food (is not for dogs) - Generally too high in protein and fats for Dogs.
Large amounts of liver -
Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones
Raw eggs -
Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the
absorption of
biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat
problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
Raw fish -
Can result in a
thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of
appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if
raw fish is fed regularly.
Macadamia nuts - Can produce weakness (particularly in the
hind legs), depression, vomiting, ataxia and tremors. Thus
far, dogs have been the only species reported to the ASPCA/APCC
that are effected by ingestion of this species of nut.
Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and
nervous systems and muscle.
Onions, Garlic, & Related Root Vegetables (raw, cooked, or
powder)
- Can produce vomiting, diarrhea, and can
cause significant damage to red blood cells.
Onions contain sulfoxides and disulfides,
a substance (N-propyl disulphide) which destroys red
blood cells in the cat, causing a form of anemia called
Heinz body anemia. Garlic contains a similar substance in
a lesser amount.
Fruit Pits - Can cause obstruction of the
digestive tract.
Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple
core pips (contain cyanogenic glycosides resulting in cyanide
posioning)
Persimmons - Seeds can cause intestinal
obstruction and enteritis.
Avocados:
The fruit,
pit and plant are all toxic. They can cause difficulty
breathing and fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and
heart
Mushrooms -
Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the
body, cause shock, and result in death.
Brocolli - in large amounts
Citrus Oil Extracts - Can cause vomiting.
Raisins and grapes - Ingestion of these fruits have been
associated with acute kidney failure in dogs. Most dogs
initially vomit and drink a lot of water. They then develop
diarrhea, kidney failure and, finally, death.
There have been no problems associated with grape seed
extract.
Salt - Can produce electrolyte imbalances / sodium ion poisoning which causes vomiting,
depression, tremors, excessive thirst, diarrhea, excessive
urination, elevated body temperature, seizures and death if a
large enough amount is consumed.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures and death
Yeast dough―yeast-based dough can not only expand in the
stomach as it rises, causing an obstruction or intestinal
rupture, but yeast can form alcohol when it rises, which can
cause alcohol poisoning.
Tomatoes (leaves & stems), Potatoes (green, raw and stems),
Rhubarb - These foods are members of the Solanaceae
family of plants, which includes the Deadly Nightshade, and
contain a bitter, poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid
Solanine, which can cause violent lower gastrointestinal
symptoms.
Oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and
urinary systems
The Feline Future web site offers a rare description of a cat
which was close to death from ingesting just one cherry tomato
(See the link on the sidebar).
Chocolate, coffee, coffee beans, tea, caffeine - It's becoming more widely known that chocolate is very
toxic to both cats and dogs. Theobromine
or theophylline,are the offending
substances here. Janet Tobiassen Crosby, D.V.M. has an
excellent article on the symptoms, effects, and treatment o
chocolate toxicity.
Caffeine can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.
Milk, dairy products, cheese - Although milk is not toxic to cats, it may have adverse
effects. Simply put, adult cats fed a nutritious diet don't
need milk.
Dogs and cats are relatively lactose intolerant.
Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the
enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk
which means that the lactose in milk and milk
products produces stomach upset, cramps, and gassiness.
Therefore, too much of a dairy food could cause
gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.
Lactose-free milk products are available for pets If
your cat loves milk, and begs for it, a small amount of cream
may be okay, two or three times a week. (The more fat in the
milk, the less lactose.) Another compromise is CatSip, a
product made from skim milk with an enzyme added that helps
the digestion of lactose. Catsip is available in supermarkets
such as Safeway, Albertson's and A&P, as well as pet products
chains, such as PetSmart and Petco.
Other human products to avoid feeding your pet:
Human vitamin supplements containing iron -
Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to
the other organs including the liver and kidneys.
Alcoholic beverages Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
Hops - Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate,
elevated temperature, seizures, and death.
Tobacco -
Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous
systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and
death.
Marijuana -
Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in
the heart rate.
String -
Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string
foreign body."
Plants and other toxins that are Poison to Dogs
- Extensive List!
Human Foods that Poison Pets
Human Foods to Avoid for Cats - Toxic Foods
Canine Food Safety |
