Did you know that some foods that are healthy for us can be very dangerous for your dogs and cats? Consuming them can lead to a variety of serious symptoms. As a responsible pet parent, you must be well aware of all the food sources that can be toxic for your pets. This can prevent you from inadvertently slipping harmful foods from your plate to your pet’s eating bowl. This can affect them whether at home or at a pet friendly oceanfront rental or pet friendly resorts. Here are some of the common food sources that can lead to toxicity in pets.

Onions and Garlic

Any food from the onion family, e.g., garlic, shallots, scallions, and chives, can be a source of toxicity for your pets. If your pet consumes these vegetables, it can cause stomach and gut irritation and can even lead to serious problems like red blood cell damage and anemia. Cats are especially sensitive to these vegetables, however, if consumed in excess, they can be dangerous for dogs too. Common signs of toxicity include lethargy, weakness, and red-tinged-colored urine. These symptoms usually appear a few days after the ingestion.

Grapes and Raisins

Researchers are yet to discover which compound in grapes or raisins is toxic to both dogs and cats, but it is widely observed that consuming these foods can lead to acute kidney failure and even death. If a dog already has some existing health issues, they are at a greater risk of kidney failure; even a single raisin can be severely toxic to their system. The symptoms of toxicity from these sources of food may not take days to appear, in fact, pets start showing symptoms between 6 and 12 hours of eating.

Chocolate and Caffeine

Chocolate can be poisonous for the pets because it contains a stimulant called theobromine and a bit of caffeine. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for your pets, which means cocoa powder and dark chocolates are more harmful than milk chocolates. Caffeine is also known to cause problems in dogs and cats, and the severity depends on the quantity consumed. Some common products containing caffeine include chocolate, caffeine, tea, soda, and energy drinks. Consuming these can cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, restlessness, and excessive urination.

Avocados

Avocados contain a chemical compound persin; it is safe for humans but quite harmful to our furry friends. The whole tree contains persin, so any part is bad for your pets, especially dogs. If a dog happens to eat this fruit, fluid will start building up in their lungs and chest, making breathing difficult. Their body may become deprived of oxygen, which can be fatal. Also, swallowing an avocado’s pit can cause choking or blockage in the digestive tract.

Xylitol

This artificial sweetener can be poisonous to dogs even in small amounts. It is commonly found in foods like sugarless gum, sugar-free candy, and baked goods. It is also frequently used in toothpaste, mouthwash, and vitamin supplements. Consuming these products can cause a serious drop in the blood sugar level and lead to liver damage. Symptoms can appear within several hours after ingestion and can include vomiting, seizure, and loss of coordination.