Paul Counts is the co-owner of Petronic.com and an editor of Leading Edge Pet Care, a blog all about innovative pet care topics. He is both a passionate pet owner and entrepreneur, and he provides a variety of high end pet supplies at www.petronic.com.
We're all guilty of it - giving in to those big begging eyes pleading at us for a scrap from the table during dinner. Fido knows just how to get you to concede, and most of us justify that a little won't hurt, or we don't even think of the potential danger at all. But the truth is that human food can be harmful to your pet, and in some cases, can be fatal. It's important to know how certain foods can be unsafe so that you can avoid them for the sake of your animal.
Here is how a few of some of the most common "human foods" become harmful for pets:
Chocolate and Other Human Foods Containing Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the greatest culprits because it contains an alkaloid called theobromine. Theobromine acts as a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic, which in turn can cause a heart attack or other heart and nervous system problems in animals.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are potentially harmful due to the fact that both contain thiosulphate, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in cats and dogs. Of the two, onions are the most toxic, as consumption of simply one serving by your pet could result in anemia.
Milk
Milk can harm your pet due to the fact that many dogs and cats tend to be lactose intolerant. The consumption of milk and milk products by a lactose intolerant pet creates a breeding ground for bacteria, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Bones
Bones, although commonly known as a great treat for your dog, are potentially very dangerous for pets. Once eaten, bones can splinter and get stuck in the intestines, causing damage or fatality. In most splinter cases, the bones must be removed surgically.
Other Common Harmful Foods
Other human foods to avoid when feeding your pet are: macadamia nuts, potato peelings and green-looking potatoes, rhubarb leaves, moldy/spoiled foods, alcohol, yeast dough, tomato leaves and stems, broccoli, and raisins or grapes.
Some human foods potentially cause only mild digestive upsets, while others can be fatal. Regardless of the level of danger, the best choice for your pet is to keep him from any potentially harmful foods in order to ensure his health and safety.
So, the next time your pet looks up at you with those pleading eyes, show him you care by doing what is truly best for him and feeding him only products meant for pet consumption. In the end, both you and your pet will be glad that you did.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Significance Of Cat Pet Insurance
- Why I Would Rather Use Pet Promise Cat Food
- Keep Your Pet Healthy With Pet Medicine
- Elderly Cat Care
- Pet Insurance Even For Your Lizard
- Medicine Toxicity In Cats
- A Feature on the Super Adorable Persian Cats
- How to Protect Your Pets From Bird Flu, and Protect Yourself From Bird Flu From Your Pets
Rough & Tough Beds For Rough & Tough Pets
By: Arthor Pens | 10/07/2009There are a lot of pets who act very violently and rough on their sleeping places. Mammoth Pet Beds withstand all the activities that your pet carries out and that is why you'll love the bed.
Loving Your Miniature Pinscher
By: John Jackson | 10/07/2009When they first came into existence, the Min Pin was a ratter and extinguisher of similar size vermin. Nowadays, the breed has come into favor as a family pet. When considering a Min Pin as your dog, you need to keep in mind that their original character traits have not been bred out and these will need some special attention.
Find Ways to Make Them Stop Barking - Dog Barking Tips
By: Bryan Burbank | 09/07/2009The dog is man's best friend but if you have a dog that barks all the time then this can be a problem for you. It is important to know that there are things you can do to control when and how your dog barks. All animals do things for reasons, and when your dog is barking and chasing cars and in most cases, it is to protect you. You have to understand that the dog thinks that you are being threatened by a passing car so they may barking and chase it. You need to teach your animal win is a prop
Find the Best Horse Buying Tips Available
By: Bryan Burbank | 09/07/2009Before you run out and buy a horse there are some things that are important for you to know. When you go to look at a horse make sure that the seller does not try to tell you that you better buy now because if you wait you are going to lose out. This is a way for him to try to make a quick sale and you may not get the best deal or the best horse so make sure you are cautious when making a purchase. You also do not want to tell the seller what you are willing to spend because this is only help hi
Allergies In Dogs
By: Ras Reed | 09/07/2009Allergies in dogs is one of the several problems that dog owners or lovers rarely understand. They always feel that it is a temporary problem that will soon disappear. Actually, it is not temporary and if you don’t take action immediately, the problem may become worse. This piece of writing is written to help you understand this problem and what you can do to solve it.
How to Choose Pet Cremation Jewelry
By: Mark Hamilton | 09/07/2009It's sad when a close animal companion leaves this world. I've experienced it several times and each time I feel a strong need to have some sort of keepsake to remember my pet by. Some of the items in my memory box include baby kitten and puppy teeth and a...
Finding A Groomer For Your Maltese
By: John Jackson | 09/07/2009You are most likely aware that the Maltese is a long haired dog and that long hair requires maintenance. Perhaps your Maltese will arrive complete with dog beauty salon chair and styling guide.
All The Colors Of The Doberman Pinscher
By: John Jackson | 09/07/2009Many people are not aware that a Doberman Pinscher can be any color other than black with marking that are tan. Although this may be the most typical color, the breed actually has two genes for color. One gene is for black.
Top Keyword Research Tool Online and How To Use It
By: Paul Counts | 12/07/2008 | SEOKeyword research is such a vital aspect to your overall success online that it simply can't be ignored. You need to be able to find good keywords to target, quickly and easily.
Your Food Could Be Secretly Killing Your Pet
By: Paul Counts | 31/03/2008 | PetsBelieve it or not, but you could be killing your pets slowly by giving them food off your plate.
Nationwide Consumer Debt Relief Is Needed
By: Paul Counts | 11/01/2008 | FinanceWe are a country in debt. Not only is our government in debt, but we, as Americans, are in debt ourselves, and the problem is just getting worse.
How To Choose the Right Dog Breed For Your Family
By: Paul Counts | 26/12/2007 | PetsLearn what it takes to choose the perfect dog breed for your family so that everyone remains happy.
Cats Dogs and Human Food - How Can Our Food Harm Our Pets?
By: Paul Counts | 06/12/2007 | PetsLearn how certain table scraps and innocent people food can harm or even kill our pets.