Americans simply adore their pets! So it’s no surprise that nearly every middle-income household has one extra member added to their family.
So just like having a toddler in the house, that dog or cat needs to be extensively looked after. That includes certain factors like what they eat and how they spend their time.
Unlike humans, cats and dogs have quite the dietary constraints in terms of what they are able to consume. Hence, rendering some foods pretty toxic to them!
That being said, here are the top 10 foods that one should have their pets strictly steer clear from!
Chocolate
What else would come first on this list? When one thinks of toxicity in pets, chocolate is usually the number one suspect.
In fact, chocolate toxicity can cause a myriad of symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, as well as arrhythmias.
In some certain situations, it has been recorded to be fatal!
The main folly behind chocolate’s toxicity is theobromine, which is highly poisonous to pets. So as a rule of thumb, the smaller the pet, the higher the dangers it will face when it consumes chocolate.
If one happens to suspect that their pet has consumed chocolate, they should get in touch with the vet immediately.
Fatty foods
Contrary to what most people think, giving a cat or a dog a juicy cheese burger to munch on is no reward!
While they are not necessarily toxic, consuming fatty foods in large quantities can lead to gas, vomiting and diarrhea. The end result? Not so good for the pet. They might get gastrointestinal and pancreatitis issues in the future.
Fatty skin and bones
The fat trimmed from a steak is more hazardous to a pet than one might believe. In fact, feeding it with such might result in liver or pancreas problems. Leftover bones too are not highly recommendable.
Some of these bones might splinter, resulting in sharp pieces getting lodges in and tearing some digestive organs. Leading to painful, internal bleeding for the pet.
Onions and garlic
Unbeknownst to most pet owners, the likes of onions and garlics can be extremely lethal due to a special ingredient known as thiosulphate. The said ingredient is known to severely impair the red blood cells, resulting in anemia. It is highly potent in garlic.
That being said, if one would like to learn more about the different diets of pets on a professional level, or pursue a course in the veterinary field, then have a look at Veterinary Technician Schools in Michigan.
Nuts
If one notices that their dog is having seizures, losing muscle control, vomiting, or lethargy, then the main culprit could be some nuts left behind. The substances found in Macadamia nuts are especially toxic for both dogs and cats.
They also contain plenty of fat and salt, which in turn, can cause quite a number of health issues.
Raw eggs
Right up there with chocolate, raw eggs are a no-go zone for pets. That’s because raw eggs contain a substance known as biotin, which if not consumed in moderation, can result in loss of hair in both cats and dogs.