our advice : ASK DR . CATE
Vet Rap by Dr . Ryan Cate
Household Items Pets Should Be Careful Around
By DR . RYAN CATE and MELISSA MOORMAN
QUESTION : Dear Dr . Cate : I heard that you can ’ t give your dog chocolate and some common house plants are poisonous . What else should I be careful of with my dog and cats in my home to keep them safe ?
ANSWER : It ’ s true that chocolate is toxic to dogs , but there are other foods and items that you might have around your home that will cause an emergency trip to the vet . The FDA has periodic information on its website about specific foods or treats , but these are foods in particular that can make your animal sick .
One of the reasons that dogs can be poisoned by foods that we eat every day is that dogs react differently to diet variation than we do . Feeding them the same dog food each day is the best way to keep them healthy because their food is specifically formulated to meet all of their dietary needs . Adding any human food can make your animals react negatively and it seems to affect small animals more so than large ones .
Here are the foods and household items that you should keep away from your furry friends :
Alliums : This includes onions , garlic and chives as well as any foods that are seasoned with them . These can cause hemolytic anemia , which can damage an animal ’ s red blood cells . The warning is for garlic and onion powder as well . Symptoms include fatigue , listlessness , pale gums and disorientation . If the disease is allowed to progress it can cause darkened urine , jaundice and vomiting .
Spoiled food : If food is spoiled or has mold on it , don ’ t feed it to your animals . And when you dispose of it , make sure it is sealed into a trash bag so your animals can ’ t get to it .
Fried or Fatty foods : They aren ’ t particularly good for humans , but they can be toxic to your animal — specifically , your pet ’ s pancreas . Too much fried or fatty food can cause enzymes that can harm the intestines , which can be life-threatening .
Grapes : Common grapes are toxic to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure . Raisins and currents are even more poisonous because they are dried and the compounds inside the fruit are more concentrated . Even one grape or raisin can make your animal sick .
Macadamia Nuts : Pet owners should keep their pets away from nuts in general and macadamia nuts in particular . They are very toxic for dogs .
Raw Meat : You wouldn ’ t eat raw meat , and neither should your dog . It can be infected with E . coli or Salmonella and can really damage your pet ’ s digestive system .
Salty Snacks : Excess salt can cause sodium ion poisoning and while one chip probably won ’ t hurt them , a whole bag can . Symptoms include depression , diarrhea , high fever , excessive thirst , kidney damage , seizures , and vomiting . If your dog has gotten into the chip bowl , give it plenty of water immediately .
Xylitol : This is being added as a sugar substitute to baked goods , candies and toothpaste . The sweetener can affect your dog ’ s insulin level and cause it to decrease to a dangerous level . If ingested , it can cause vomiting , fainting , seizures , staggering and weakness .
Chocolate , coffee and caffeine : These foods contain a chemical compound called methylxanthine . Dark chocolate contains more than white chocolate , but dogs should avoid anything that has this compound contained in it , including all forms of chocolate and coffee . It can cause vomiting and diarrhea , panting , excessive thirst and urination , hyperactivity , abnormal heart rhythm , tremors , seizures and possibly death .
Alcohol : You should never give alcohol to your pet . It can cause vomiting , diarrhea , decreased coordination , difficulty breathing and even kill them . Alcohol poisoning can happen to dogs who eat brewer ’ s or baker ’ s yeast , one of the main ingredients in beer , so if you are a homebrewer , make sure and keep these ingredients out of reach of your pet .
Detergents and Insecticides : Our pets should not try the detergent pod challenge , either . Bleach , detergent , and all types of bug sprays , windshield washer fluid , and antifreeze are toxic , poisonous and can lead to the untimely death of your pet . Our animals are curious , so keep all of these items locked away from them .
House plants : Many house and garden plants are toxic to animals . Some of these include aloe vera , tiger lilies , amaryllis , azaleas , baby ’ s breath , carnations , tulips , sago palms and yew . Some of these also appear in cut flower bouquets , so be careful to keep these away from your pets as well .
Most of these cautions are for dog owners . Although cats can be affected , they are pickier in what they eat and less likely to eat any of the above foods or household items .
If you think your pet has been poisoned by any of the above foods or is acting strangely , first take away what they are eating , then call your veterinarian . If you can ’ t reach your doctor , you can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 .
MARCH 2018 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
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