Dangerous Foods/Plants to Avoid for Animals

Many well-meaning people give their animals leftovers, tastes of desserts, ice creams, even exotic foods because they are convinced they are being kind and generous, but often this can cause severe negative reactions, illnesses, or even be fatal.

Basic Information for cats

  • Never give your cat; raw fish, onions, garlic or chives, as well as raw eggs or any kind of bones. Even onion or garlic powder can cause problems.
  • Bacon fat drippings or any fat trimmed off of meats is a danger for your cat.
  • Most cats are lactose intolerant so do not give your cat; milk, cream, cheeses, ice cream or other dairy products, and never grapes or raisins, which are toxic, and never avocados, not even to play with.
  • This is a no brainer, but cats should never be given any drink with caffeine, alcohol, sugar, or any sport’s drinks. Most cats will not like them, but do not even offer these drinks.
  • Xylitol, the artificial sweetener in gum, candy, bakery treats, toothpaste, is highly toxic for cats so keep all these products out of reach for your kitty.

Basic Information for dogs

  • Dogs as well, should never be given, onion, garlic, chives in any form, or raw eggs.
  • Avocados, grapes, raisins, are no no’s but peaches and plums, have cyanide in the pits and must never be given to dogs.
  • Even though many dogs like beer and sweet coffee and tea, and sugary drinks and sodas, they should never be given any drink with caffeine, alcohol, sugar, or any sport’s drinks. 
  • In general, no dairy products should be given to dogs.
  • In the danger zone for possible death, are macadamia nuts and chocolate of any kind. [Look up the danger of Macadamia nuts for dogs on the internet-you will be shocked.]
  • Xylitol, the artificial sweetener in gum, candy, bakery treats, toothpaste, is highly toxic for dogs also, so keep all these products out of reach for your dog. These items are much more dangerous in the case of dogs in the house because they will taste and eat almost anything if it is left out and if they happen to be hungry.
  • No raw meats or fish of any kind is safe for your dog, and don’t add salt or give salty foods to your dog.
  • Fat drippings, trimmings, and cooked fat or barbequed fat are dangerous for dogs and some dog experts do not even approve of animal bones, cooked or raw, however this is a controversial issue.

PLEASE DO NOT USE ANY OF YOUR MEDICATIONS OR COUGH SYRUPS, OR HUMAN REMEDIES ON YOUR DOG OR YOUR CAT. Just as you do with children keep all medications, locked up and away from any access for your dog or cat. Go online to find a natural remedy or call your veterinarian for advice for general, not life threatening ailments.

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  • For more information on hazardous feline and canine foods, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website. And put their phone number -- 888-426-4435 -- on your refrigerator in case of an emergency. The call center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This is a fantastic resource and the website may save a life.

Dangerous and Poisonous Outdoor and Indoor Plants for Cats and Dogs

The absolutely amazing thing is that there are at least 700-1000 plants that could be toxic or even poisonous and fatal to your animals. The weakness in all of the websites and articles is that they give you lists of toxic plants, but there are no illustrations so you can see an actual photograph of the plant, flower, shrub or tree which you must never purchase for your home or yard. This book, I can highly recommend because it contains the images of these plants so you can immediately identify them. You can then plan your garden and the plants you want inside your home which are safe for your animals.  There may be other books available with images of the plants to avoid. Lists mean nothing. It is imperative to have photographs, because we are a visual culture and people need to SEE the plants to avoid.

Poisonous to Pets: Plants Poisonous to Dogs and Cats 

The 10 Most Common Poisonous Plants:

http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/poisonous_plants.html

This is a remarkable and resourceful website to set your mind at ease. It is well written and well researched and an incredibly practical guide for those animal lovers who want to be responsible about the welfare of animals in their care. Please become acquainted with invaluable information on this website.

Marijuana - Animals who attempt to snack on this plant can suffer serious consequences such as diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, drooling, in-coordination, and even possibly seizures and coma.

Sago Palm - While the seeds and nuts of this plant are most poisonous, the entire plant is toxic.  Animals ingesting parts of this plant may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Lilies - Plants of the lily variety are very poisonous to cats.  Even very small amounts of this plant could cause serious kidney damage.

Tulips - The toxic portion of this plant is the actual bulb, which can cause drooling, central nervous system depression, gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac issues and convulsions.

Azalea - The toxins in azalea plants can be very severe and potentially cause drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, central nervous system weakening and depression, and in some cases possibly coma or death.

Oleander - All portions of this plant are poisonous and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, hypothermia, heart problems and possibly death.

Castor Bean - Poisoning as a result of this plant can cause abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea, vomiting increased thirst, loss of appetite and weakness.  More serious cases could also lead to dehydration, tremors, seizures, twitching muscles, coma and possibly death.

Cyclamen - The most poisonous portion of this plant is located in the root.  Ingestion of the plant can cause severe vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation.  In some cases death has been reported as a result.

Kalanchoe - Ingestion of this plant can cause gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac rhythm and rate problems.

Yew - Poisoning as a result of the yew plant can affect the nervous system and cause in-coordination, trembling and breathing difficulties.  It may also result in gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac failure and could possibly lead to death.