Can table scraps make a dog sick? The answer is Yes. Pets are part of the family, and many people tend to feed their pet like family. However, table scraps and certain foods can be deadly to your pet.

What Foods are Toxic for Dogs and Cats

It’s important to familiarize yourself with the following ingredients and foods, and then take steps to keep these poisonous foods away from your pet.

Cats, Dogs and Chocolate

Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats because it contains theobromine. Pets cannot properly digest this substance, so chocolate may cause liver failure, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and even death. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for your pet.

Caffeine and Dogs & Cats

Caffeine is dangerous to the heart and nervous system in pets. It excites the nervous system, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea and nervous system damage. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and anything else containing caffeine can be dangerous for your pet.

Onions, Garlic and Pets

Onions and garlic can be dangerous for your pet if eaten in large amounts. These foods can cause the destruction of red blood cells, leading to anemia in dogs and cats. Even meats that are spiced with onion and garlic could be dangerous. Baby food that contains meat is often seasoned with onion or garlic, so be aware of this as well.

Grapes and Raisins

There is an unknown toxin in grapes and raisins that cause kidney damage or even failure in dogs and cats. It’s best to avoid feeding grapes and raisins to pets.

Alcohol and Dogs and Cats

Is alcohol bad for dogs? The answer is Yes. Alcoholic beverages and food prepared with alcohol can be dangerous to both dogs and cats. It can lead to intoxication, coma and even death.

Xylitol and Dogs

When it comes to toxic foods for dogs, Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free foods, including chewing gum, candy, baked goods and in a few types of peanut butter. It may also be found in human medications like melatonin, that we previously have considered to be safe for pets. It may also be called birch sugar, so read labels carefully. It can cause liver damage and a deadly drop in blood sugar in dogs. Although there is no confirmation that it is dangerous for cats, it is best to be safe and keep this ingredient away from your cat.

Additional Foods

Other foods that can poison your pet include macadamia nuts, raw meat, spoiled food, moldy cream cheese, tobacco, yeast dough, mushrooms, iron, fat trimmings, fruit pits and seeds, rhubarb and tomato leaves, raw eggs, avocados, and large amounts of salt or liver.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Food Poisoning

Common signs of poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, cramps, seizures, rashes, and lethargy. If you think that your pet may have ingested a toxic substance, you should immediately call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center.

If you need help with knowing what foods are toxic to dogs and cats, call us at 800.786.4751.