Animal Health – Edible Hazards to Avoid

We all know to childproof our homes to keep young children safe, but what about “pet proofing” our homes as well? Many edible dangers for your pet may exist in your kitchen and your home and knowing about these dangers can help make your home a safer place for your pet.

Edible Dangers

Some food and drink that are tasty treats for you may be a danger for your pet.  Sharing your food or drink with your furry pal is tempting, but resisting the temptation is a far better way to go.  Some of the more hazardous edible items include:

• Alcoholic drinks and food products containing alcohol
• Avocado (only mildly toxic to dogs and cats, but can be severely toxic, even deadly, to birds, rabbits, horses, and ruminants such as cattle, goats, and sheep)
• Caffeine (found in a lot of drinks such as coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks)
• Fatty foods
• Chocolate
• Grapes and raisins
• Garlic
• Macadamia nuts
• Marijuana
• Medicine intended for people or another pet, unless directed by your veterinarian. Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for humans may not be the right thing for your pet In some cases they may even be harmful.  Acetaminophen, a common pain reliever, is FATAL to cats.
• Onions
• Salt
• Tobacco products (including e-cigarettes and their refills)
• Xylitol (a sweetener found in products such as some sugar-free chewing gum, sugar-free candy, cough syrup, mouthwash, and toothpaste)
• Yeast products (like raw bread dough)

While not necessarily toxic, some food items can cause a blockage in the digestive tract if your pet swallows them.  Avocado pits, corn cobs, and bones can get stuck in your pet’s esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Additionally, fruit pits from cherries, peaches, nectarines, and plums contain cyanide.  If your pet eats a lot of pits and chews them up the possibility of cyanide poisoning, although rare, is possible.

Food bags, such as from cereal, potato chips and snack bags can also be a danger.  If your pet sniffs out a food bag, they are thin enough to wrap themselves around the nose and mouth and can lead to suffocation.  The more your pet breathes in, the tighter the bag gets around the face.  They can’t pull the bag off with their paws because the tightness of the bag can become very tight, like shrink wrap.

It’s important to monitor your pet’s eating.  Keep your kitchen counters food free, the garbage pail closed tight and keep your pet away from any forbidden foods.  Keep your furry pal happy with their favorite pet food and treats that are processed just for them.  A good way to protect your pets.  #pethazards @protectingpets #furrypalsessentials.com