If you’re a pet owner, chances are you feed your dog or cat table scraps every once in a while. Though this habit is typically harmless when done in moderation, it’s important to think about what you’re feeding your pets and how it could affect them. In order to help you make sure you’re not jeopardizing your pet’s health, we wanted to remind you of some foods that can be dangerous for dogs and cats to eat:
- Chocolate: Theobromine, a chemical found in chocolate, can be toxic to dogs. Though it usually takes a large quantity of chocolate to harm a dog, it’s best not to take the risk. Vomiting, diarrhea, rapid or irregular heart rate, restlessness, muscle tremors, and seizures can all be signs that your dog has consumed chocolate.
- Grapes and raisins: Cats and dogs can experience kidney failure if given grapes or raisins. Symptoms that your pet is having kidney failure include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
- Garlic and onions: Certain chemicals in these two common vegetables can damage the red blood cells in dogs and cats. In turn, this can cause them to rupture or to be unable to transport oxygen. If you give your dog baby food, be sure to check the ingredient list for garlic and onion.
- Avocados: Every part of the avocado, including the pit and skin, is toxic to both dogs and cats. Vomiting and diarrhea are tell-tale signs that your pet may have eaten part of an avocado.
- Xylitol: Present in many types of gum, candy, and mints, this artificial sweetener can cause hypoglycemia and liver damage in dogs. After consuming xylitol, your dog may vomit, be extremely tired, or be uncoordinated. These symptoms can happen as early as 30 minutes after consumption.
In order to make sure that your dog or cat doesn’t get ahold of any of these types of food, it’s important to always keep things out of your pet’s reach. If you have a bigger dog or a nimble cat, be mindful that your pet may be able to access food that is left on the counter. Even when you take precautions, accidents can still happen. If your pet accidentally ingests a food that may be hazardous to its health, it’s vital that you contact your veterinarian immediately.
In Need of Pet Care? Make Top Tails Your Pet Sitter in Manayunk
Here at Top Tails Dog Walking & Pet Sitting, we’re experts at taking care of dogs and cats. If you’re looking for a qualified Manayunk pet sitter to tend to your pets while you’re away, we’re the ones to call. To get in touch with us, simply dial 215-508-1903 or send an e-mail to info@toptailsdogwalking.com. We have a wide variety of service packages, and we offer reasonable rates.
If you’re interested in reading more about how to keep your pet safe and healthy, check out our past blog posts. When you do so, you’ll learn about exercise safety for dogs and how to keep your dog healthy with diet and exercise. We hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of the Top Tails blog, and we look forward to working as your Manayunk pet sitter!