What Not to Feed Your Pets.

By Racheal Myers

It is the holiday season, and as students, you are probably headed home for winter break to spend time with the family, which may include members of the four-legged variety. As you cozy up around your traditional holiday icon (Christmas tree, menorah, etc.), and share in home cooked meals, please remember that your families pets cannot have the same foods as you. Here is a list of the things that your favorite cat or dog should not be eating:

Alcoholic beverages:

Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources:

            Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine:

Can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.

Citrus oil extracts:

 Can cause vomiting.

Fat trimmings:

 Can cause pancreatitis.

Grapes and raisins:

 Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.

Hops:

Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.

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.

Large amounts of liver:

 Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.

Macadamia nuts:

Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Marijuana:

 Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.

Milk and other dairy products:

Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.

Mushrooms:

Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder):

Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

Persimmons Seeds:

 Can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.

Pits from peaches and plums:

 Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.

Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems:

Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock.

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.

Salt:

 If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

Sugary foods:

 Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Tobacco:

Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.

Yeast dough:

Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

If the situation should arise where an animal is fed these foods, and becomes distressed, a veterinarian or poison control center should be contacted. The number for poision control is:  

888-232-8870  (TOLL FREE)

 

  For anyone who may not know, the poison control number charges you $35. This goes to pay the vet in case of a phone consult. If you ever have to call, make sure to have credit card ready.

Have a safe and happy holiday!