This upcoming Holiday Season it is good to remember that all the delicious treats we give ourselves may not be good for our pets! Each year every vet clinic gets the calls from clients whose pet has gotten a hold of something they should not. For our fur babies, human food is more rich, fatty, and spicy than dog food which can lead to gastrointestinal issues and even pancreatitis. Other times, your dog may have food allergies or adverse reactions. It is best not to give your dog any human food. The most common example of dangerous human food is chocolate. Chocolate has ingredients such as caffeine and theobromine which are dangerous to dogs. Toxicities depend on percentage of cocoa powder, your dog’s weight, and amount ingested. Other dangerous foods are: • Grapes and raisins that can cause acute kidney failure o Macadamia nuts that can cause complications in the gastrointestinal tract, tremors, and weakness o Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, can lower blood sugar levels below the normal – found in foods such as gum, certain peanut butters, and other sugar free foods o Avocado that contains persin which may lead to vomiting and diarrhea
Cats
When it comes to cats, one of the worst risks is not poinsettia’s, it is actually lilies and the reaction can be quite severe. Check any holiday arrangements and plants you may receive this year for lilies. Catching exposures to all toxic lilies quickly is critical, kidney injury is a concern, and the patient needs to be treated aggressively at a veterinary hospital. However, it is often fatal if treatment is delayed longer than 18 hours after ingestion. You can get more information about common and uncommon toxic risks to your pets on the Pet Poison Hotline at https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/
