Foods Dangerous to Dogs  & Cats

There are a lot of happy pets these days since the arrival of the poisoned pet food scare. All that delicious pizza, cheeseburgers and nachos given to pets as a substitute for canned or dry pet food may have your pet smiling - but only temporarily.

And some foods can be down-right dangerous to your dog or cat.

Our 'do not feed' list is below - and we have also placed the commercial pet foods that are involved in the recall in the column on the left.

If you have been feeding (or have fed) your pet a suspicious canned or dry food and they experience the following symptoms, please get them to your vet asap: lethargic (lazy, little or no energy), drinking excessive amounts of water, digestive upset including vomiting and diarrhea.

If you are whipping up recipes for your pet in your humble kitchen, the foods listed below should be avoided. Also, we recommend purchasing a doggie or kitty cookbook. Your vet may also be happy to provide some healthy recipes for your pet. Tom and I mix up the following recipe for our little Pom named Mercedes: cooked rice, small cubes of chicken, cooked finely chopped carrots.

Foods That Dogs Should Not Eat - Dangers, Potential Health Risks

Alcoholic Beverages, Including Beer - Alcohol can prove fatal to your pet when consumed in any amount.

Chocolate (including cocoa) - Adverse symptoms include vomiting, rapid or irregular heart beat, increased urination, muscle tremors, seizures and death which can occur within 24 hours after consumption. Dark chocolate is more potent than milk chocolate.

Coffee, Tea, Cola - Caffeine may trigger the following symptoms: rapid heart beat, hyperactivity, muscle tremors and seizures.

Macadamia Nuts - Adverse symptoms include muscle weakness generally in the hind quarters, fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. May also contribute to bladder stones.

Onions(cooked or uncooked) - Commercial dog food recipes contain minute amounts of onion powder targeted below the dog's toxic level. Giving onions to your dog, even in tiny amounts above their toxic level can cause anemia via destruction of red blood cells.

Symptoms of anemia include blood in urine, lethargy, decreased appetite, rapid heart beat, depression, pale mucous membranes.

Leeks- Commercial dog food recipes contain minute amounts of onion powder targeted below the dog's toxic level.

Giving leeks to your dog, even in tiny amounts above their toxic level can cause anemia via destruction of red blood cells. Symptoms of anemia include blood in urine, lethargy, decreased appetite, rapid heart beat, depression, pale mucous membranes.

Garlic - Commercial dog food recipes contain minute amounts of garlic powder targeted below the dog's toxic level. Giving garlic to your dog, even in tiny amounts above their toxic level can cause anemia via destruction of red blood cells.

Symptoms of anemia include blood in urine, lethargy, decreased appetite, rapid heart beat, depression, pale mucous membranes.

Raisins - Adverse symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney failure.

Grapes - Adverse symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney failure.

Xylitol - such as found in sugarless gums and candies may lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar.

Yeast Dough - Keep in mind that yeast dough swells. Adverse symptoms include gas, bloating and other digestive upsets potentially leading to stomach rupture, or rupture of the intestines.

Cat Food - May create a metabolic imbalance.

Supplements, such as iron - Always acquire vet's approval before giving your dog any over-the-counter supplement or medication - including medications and/or vitamins intended for humans.

Fats, excessive - May lead to pancreatic issues.

Bones, cooked- Presents a choking hazard as well as internal organ damage as cooked bones splinter easily.

Signs of choking include gasping, blue gums, face pawing, drooling, breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness.

Tomatoes - May cause heart disturbances.

Avocado - May cause fluid retention and respiratory difficulties.

Nutmeg - May cause muscle tremors,seizures and death. As a note, nutmeg can also be fatal to humans.

Fruit Seeds - May lodge in throat or digestive tract.

Raw Egg - Potential for salmonella poisoning.

Salt, in excess - May contribute to kidney issues, fluid retention as well as impact heart health.

Tuna - Consult vet due to mercury content dangers.

Cold Cuts - May cause kidney and digestive issues due to high sodium and nitrate content. Other high nitrate and/or high sodium foods that may present risks include bacon, Vienna sausages and franks.

Dairy Products - May produce bloating, gas and diarrhea.

Common Foods Considered Safe for  Dogs

- Boneless (preferably skinless) meats including beef, poultry, lamb and boned fish (see tuna warning above).

- Rice

- Oatmeal

- Cottage Cheese in small amounts.

Foods That Cats Should Not Eat - Dangers, Potential Health Risks

Chocolate - Adverse symptoms include irregular heart beat, dieresis, diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, muscle tremors, potential death.

Onions (cooked or uncooked) - Giving onions to your cat, even in tiny amounts above their toxic level can cause anemia via destruction of red blood cells. Adverse symptoms include blood in urine, lethargy, decreased appetite, rapid heart beat, depression, pale mucous membranes.

Garlic (cooked or uncooked) - Giving garlic to your cat, even in tiny amounts above their toxic level can cause anemia via destruction of red blood cells. Adverse symptoms include blood in urine, lethargy, decreased appetite, rapid heart beat, depression, pale mucous membranes.

Leeks - May cause anemia. Adverse symptoms include blood in urine, lethargy, decreased appetite, rapid heart beat, depression, pale mucous membranes.

Squid - Adverse symptoms include

Raw Pork - Due to toxoplasmosis risks which can be transferred to humans when cleaning kitty's liter box.

Dairy Products - Adverse symptoms include loose bowels, diarrhea. As a note, there are specially formulated varieties of milk for cats and kittens that can be found at most pet stores and shops.

Salt, in excess - Adverse symptoms include

Supplements & Over the Counter Medications - Always acquire vet's approval before giving your cat any over-the-counter supplement or medication - including medications and/or vitamins intended for humans.

Tuna, canned - Consult vet due to mercury content dangers. Is your kitty a Tuna Addict? Cats can become easily addicted to tuna which is unable to meet their daily nutritional needs.

Too much tuna also sets the stage for steatis, commonly called Yellow Fat Disease. Adverse symptoms include anorexia, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, chest pain, hard lumps which are painful.

Dog Food - May create a metabolic imbalance.

Bones - Presents a choking hazard as well as internal organ damage as bones splinter easily, particularly cooked bones. Signs of choking include gasping, blue gums, face pawing, drooling, breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness.

Egg, raw - Potential risk for biotin depletion. Symptoms include hair loss, dermatitis and growth retardation.

Fish, raw - Potential risk for thiamin deficiency. Symptoms include weight loss, weakness, uncoordinated rapport.

Liver, in excess - Large supply of Vitamin A contained in liver may lead to Vitamin A toxicity. Symptoms include osteoporosis, deformed bones, bone growth/development issues.

In Summary

Should you have questions involving your pet's diet, do not hesitate to contact your vet who knows best for your pet.  

Amid the tragedy of dog and cat food 'scare', at least one positive thing has emerged.

Because most pet owners are concerned about the health and well-being of their pets, they have increased awareness of pet nutrition and health.