Certain foods that we eat every day are TOXIC to dogs and cats.  You might not think it's a big deal to feed your animals the leftover table scraps but you could accidentally make them sick or even kill them!  There are a lot of common foods that we eat that dogs and cats cannot.  This flier is to help make you aware of what you shouldn't allow your pet to have before it's too late!

• Chocolate:  The toxic chemical found in chocolate is called theobromine.  The side effects depend on the size and weight of your dog or cat.  Large amounts can cause coma, heart problems, and death.  Smaller amounts can cause gastrointestinal problems.  Bakers chocolate contains higher amounts of theobromine and is ten times more toxic than regular milk chocolate.
• Grapes and raisins:  Even in small amounts, grapes and raisins are very toxic to dogs and cats because they cause kidney damage.
• Garlic, onions, and powders:  These products contain sulfoxides and disulfides which causes damage to red blood cells in cats and dogs.  Damaged cells can lead to anemia.  Onions are worse than garlic, but both should be avoided.  Baby food is also found to contain levels of this and should not be given to your pet. (side note from Dr. B - read the baby food labels - we sometimes recommend baby food to stimulate the appetite, it simply needs to be free of onion or garlic powder!)
  
• Macadamia nuts:  Side effects of consuming macadamia nuts include gastrointestinal problems, lethargy, vomiting, and muscle tremors or stiffness.
• Mushrooms:  Mostly toxic to dogs but to be on the safe side don't feed them to cats either.  Causes shock and in serious cases, death.  Affects depend on the type of mushroom and amount consumed.  "Backyard mushrooms" grow wild and are extremely deadly  They should be removed from any space your dog or cat might find them.
• Chicken Bones:  Not toxic but can get stuck in their mouth, throat, and intestines if eaten.  Splinters of bones can become lodged internally and cause major damage.
• Avocados:  The leaves, bark, seeds, and fruit of an avocado tree contain a toxic particle called Persin.  Side effects of consuming these include gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, and diarrhea.  (Another Dr. B note - avocado extract can actually be helpful in some joint supplements!)
  
• Xylitol:  A sugar substitute found in candy, chewable vitamins, sugarless baked goods, and sugarless gum.  As little as 3 grams (5 pieces of gum) can kill a 65 pound dog and 1 or 2 pieces can kill a small dog.  Side effects of consuming Xylitol include high insulin levels, lowered blood sugar, lethargy, and loss of balance.  High levels without treatment can cause brain damage and liver failure.

Foods only toxic to cats include:

• Dog food:  Feeding your cat dog food instead of cat food can cause malnutrition and heart problems. (Dr. B note - this is because dog food is not supplemented with taurine at high enough levels.  Cats are unable to make sufficient taurine on their own so commercial cat foods contain the ideal amount for them!)
  
• Fish:  Feeding fish to your cat regularly can cause a thiamine deficiency, loss of appetite, seizures, and, in extreme cases, death.  (Dr. B note - small amounts of fish for "treats" are okay.  A diet based primarily on fish - not so good!)
  
• Tomatoes:  Even in small amounts feeding tomatoes to your cats can cause gastrointestinal problems.