26 Foods That Could Kill Your Pets!

We love and take care of our pets like theyre our family and the last thing we want to do is make them sick in any way. Avoiding these human foods will prevent your pup from getting sick. 26. Chocolate We might love chocolate, but thats no reason to give it to your pets! Chocolate products contain substances called methylxanthines that can cause vomiting if consumed in small doses, and even death if ingested in larger quantities. The amount of chocolate that could result in death depends on the type of chocolate and the size of your pet, but dont take any risks! Keep the chocolate away from your little critter.

25. Apricot Pits Apricots are another super healthy fruit for humans that are best kept away from your pet. When eating this fruit, always ensure that you dispose of the pit in a place where your pet cannot get to it, such as in a secure garbage bin. The pit from the apricot can easily cause a pet to choke, and could possibly result in death! Your dog doesnt know theres a pit inside.

24. Alcohol Sometimes even humans cant handle their alcohol, so you should definitely never give it to your pets! Symptoms of alcohol poisoning in animals are similar to those in people, and may include vomiting, breathing problems, coma and, in severe cases, death. It takes much less alcohol to kill a dog or cat than a person, even if you adjust for the weight difference. We know its funny to let your dog drink beer, but its really cruel.

23. Avocado Avocado is super healthy for us humans, but apparently thats not the case for our pets! Avocadoes have a substance called persin that can act as a dog poison, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Its also best to avoid serving avocado up

to other pets, including cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds.

22. Macadamia nuts Pets may suffer from a series of symptoms, including weakness, overheating, and vomiting, after the consumption of macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts also contain a number of toxins harmful to animals that can affect various organs in your pets body. So avoid feeding your pet macadamia nuts at all costs and warn your children of the danger, they just may want to share their cookie with their pets.

21. Grapes and Raisins Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Even a small number of the fruits may cause permanent and fatal problems in some pets. Make sure that if you are eating grapes or raisins near your pet, youre careful not to drop any on the ground. Remember, even just one grape could prove fatal to your furry

friend.

20. Xylitol So what exactly is Xylitol, you ask? Its a sweetener found in many products, including sugar-free gum and candy. It causes a rapid drop in blood sugar, resulting in weakness and seizures. Liver failure also has been reported in some pets, so its certainly best to avoid this substance when it comes to your pets.

19. Apple Seeds Apple seeds may seem so tiny and insignificant, but the truth is that they contain a chemical that has proven to be deadly to animals, especially dogs. Although apple seeds are not life threatening to humans, even the smallest quantity of apple seeds can cause harm to your pet if ingested. Do NOT give your pets whole apples under any circumstances!

18. Cherry Pits Cherry pits are dangerous to your pets because they can get lodged in their throats and cause damage to their esophagus and stomach, as well as numerous other vital organs. Cherry pits have been a common reason for animals choking and having to be rushed off to the vets, so make sure you take care when disposing of your cherry pits, and dont feed cherries to your little furry friends!

17. Coffee Coffee, and most notably, the coffee grinds, beans, and chocolate-covered

espresso beans, contain theobromine and caffeine. These two elements are extremely dangerous to pets, and when consumed, can sometimes affect the heart fatally. Not good at all! Be careful of coffee-flavored things like ice cream that might get scarfed down by a mischievous pup!

16. Garlic Garlic, when ingested by animals, causes damage to their red blood cells. Pets who have consumed garlic may seem weak or reluctant to move, or they may appear to tire easily after gentle exercise. Their urine may be orange-tinged to dark red in color. In more severe cases, blood transfusions may be needed for your pet. If you think your pet has consumed a lot of garlic, you should call the vets office ASAP!

15. Chewing Gum A lot of sugar-free gums contain Xylitol, a toxic chemical to pets. Chewing gum can also cause blockages in the esophagus or bowel, both of which can cause a lot of harm to your pet. If your pet ingests chewing gum, it can also lead to other problems, such as obesity, dental problems, and diabetes. Seriously, why would you give a dog chewing gum?

14. Mushroom Plants The bad news is that wild-growing mushrooms even the backyard variety can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in your pets body. As a result, your pet may go into shock, or in worst cases, consuming mushrooms may prove fatal. Make sure you remove and dispose of wild mushrooms growing in your backyard to be on the safe side. Dogs are known to play with them and chew on them.

13. Onions and Onion Powder Both onions and onion powder contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can cause damage to red blood cells and cause anemia. When giving your pet leftovers, always make sure that there are no pieces of onion present in the dish, and always ensure that the food does not contain onion powder.

12. Rhubarb Leaves Rhubarb leaves are very poisonous to dogs. A substance called oxalate is present in the leaves of the rhubarb plant. It is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream if ingested and can cause severe problems with your pet. If you grow rhubarb in your garden, always ensure that your pet does not go near it.

11. Salt Eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning in pets. Symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, and seizures. In worst cases, too much salt can even lead to death. Dont feed your dogs leftovers of very salty food. Another thing to consider is when walking your dog outside in the wintertime. Most people throw salt on the sidewalk so there arent any accidents and others dont slip and fall in the snow. We need to stop and consider our pets. Theyre so low to the ground that consuming the salt thats thrown to the ground could kill them. Allowing your dog to drink salt water at the beach will have the same reaction so be conscious of where you take your pets.

10. Tea Tea contains theobromine and caffeine, which can both be toxic and affect the heart fatally. Never let your pet drink your tea, and always be careful not to leave your cup of tea sitting unattended on a surface that is easy to reach by your pet! Also make sure your dry tea is stashed away safely; fruity flavored loose tea could entice a curious dog.

9. Walnuts Did you know that walnuts can cause gastric intestinal upset or even an obstruction in your dogs body? Walnuts can also contain tremorgenic mycotoxins (toxic chemical products produced by fungi) which can cause seizures or neurological symptoms with your pet. Just because theyre good for you doesnt mean theyre good for Rusty.

8. Yeast Dough Yeast dough, when consumed by small animals, can expand and produce gas in

the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach and intestines Scary! Always ensure that you do not leave bread dough on kitchen surfaces unattended if your animal can reach it! Once the bread is cooked, it is safer for dogs to eat (but not necessarily healthy).

7. Moldy Foods Moldy foods, commonly found in garbage cans, can cause serious harm to your beloved pet. Moldy foods are a big no-no for your pet, because they can contain any number of toxins that cause vomiting and diarrhea and also affect the other organs. You know not to eat moldy food, your dog doesnt, make sure they arent digging in the trash and dont keep anything in your fridge for too long. You never know who will get their hands on it.

6. Peach Pits Peach pits are similar to cherry pits, and they cause a number of problems for your pet. Peach pits can commonly become lodged in your pets throat, and as a result, can cause permanent problems. Pits can also become lodged in the various other organs, including the stomach and the digestive tract. Dont feed your dog peaches!

5. Tomato Leaves and Stems Tomato leaves and stems contain tomatine, a chemical that can cause numerous problems to the health of your pet. When stems, vines and green fruit are ingested, clinical signs can include gastrointestinal irritation, ataxia, and weakness. Remember to use mesh to keep your pets away from any tomato vines you have in your garden.

4. Mustard Seeds So what happens if your pet ingests mustard seeds? Gastroenteritis is usually the result for a pet that eats a large amount of these, and it would require you to take your pet to the Veterinarian as soon as possible. Always be careful when feeding your pet leftovers, as they may contain mustard or mustard seeds. Dogs prefer their sausages plain anyways.

3. Beer Hops Beer hops are commonly used in the home-brewing of beer; however they are very dangerous to your pet if they consume them. An unknown compound in the beer hops causes increased heart rate, seizures, and possibly even death. If you brew beer in your home, make sure your hops are locked up. Always ensure that harmful substances are kept out of reach of your pet.

2. Chili Peppers Some people love their chili peppers, but trust us, pets dont! So how exactly does it affect your pet? The same thing happens to a pet that eats chili peppers as happens to us- it can sting when it comes into contact with mucus membranes- such as the eyes and nose. Painful indeed!

1. Bones Bones from fish, poultry, or other cooked meat sources can cause your pet more harm than good! Cooked bones become extremely brittle, and as a result, they can splinter in your pets mouth and lodge painfully in their throat or stomach. Always make sure that you only give your pet raw meat bones, and never fish bones! Better to buy bone-shaped rawhide treats from the pet store than to give your pets real bones.

Recommendations: I am not going to go into the scary details about the ingredients used for dog food as they are too disgusting. Its worth considering making your own dog food at home to suit your dogs size and breed. This is perhaps the only way to guarantee your dogs a healthy and safety. Ideal Ingredients for homemade dog food Rice is a good source of basic carbohydrate for dog food. Brown rice is best as it has lots more nutrients than white rice. Whole wheat flour, corn flour or soy flour whole meal preferred. Small amounts of flaxseed, wheat germ or Cod liver oil in small amounts that boosts the omega 3 fats in the food and helps maintain a shiny coat. Various meats can be used such as a combination of two or more of liver, beef, lamb, tuna, or chicken (ground meat is easier to handle). Some chopped meat attached to soft bones such as ribs.

Most dogs love peanut butter and simple dog biscuits can be made by combining flour, brewers or bakers yeast, bone meal and/or powdered milk, and some vegetables such as carrots. (Peanuts are one of the rare nuts that are safe for dogs. Vegetables such as carrots, spinach, sweet potato, beans, cauliflower and broccoli are fine but they should be put through a food processor to help with digestion. Bone meal can be added to boost the calcium. Raw meaty bones are also an excellent source of calcium and help keep the dogs teeth clean. Powdered milk is also a very popular key ingredient for calcium in dog food.

Our pets depend on us to provide them with the best nourishment possible. By following these simple steps, you can prolong the life of your pet for many years. Keep them healthy by watching their