It often comes naturally – the more we love our four-legged friends, the more we want to pamper them. However, when we instinctively reach for our leftovers or share a portion of our food, we can sometimes be doing more harm than good.
Animals digest food differently to humans, and several everyday human foods can be toxic to our animals. Some of the more dangerous foods, along with their potential effects, include:
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, lethargy, hyperthermia, abdominal pain, stiff joints, lameness, tremors and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters.
Toxicity can occur after eating relatively small quantities, although the amount needed to cause a reaction can vary between animals.
Onions
Onions can cause toxicity in dogs, cats and livestock. They contain compounds that can damage red blood cells, leading to haemolytic anaemia, a condition where red blood cells break down while circulating in the body.
Initial symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhoea, although signs of poisoning can take several days to appear.
All forms of onion can be problematic, including dehydrated, raw and cooked onions, as well as table scraps containing cooked onion. Poisoning can occur after a single ingestion of a large quantity or through repeated meals containing smaller amounts.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a popular sugar substitute found in many products, including lollies, toothpaste, chewable vitamins, sugar-free baked goods and sugar-free chewing gum.
Even small amounts can be extremely dangerous to dogs. Xylitol can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), potentially leading to seizures and, in some cases, serious liver damage.
With the increasing use of this sweetener in everyday products, it's important to check ingredient labels carefully.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause serious toxicity in dogs. Within a few hours of ingestion, affected dogs may begin vomiting and become lethargic. Diarrhoea and increased water consumption may also occur.
Partially digested grapes or raisins may sometimes be visible in the vomit.
The main concern with grape and raisin toxicity is the potential for acute kidney injury, which can be life-threatening. There is no reliably established safe amount, so it's best to avoid feeding them altogether.
Green Tomatoes and Green Potatoes
The leaves and stems of tomato plants, along with other green parts, contain natural compounds such as solanine and tomatine.
These compounds can irritate the digestive system and cause gastrointestinal upset.
Green potatoes should also be avoided, as they can contain elevated levels of solanine.
Yeast Dough
Uncooked yeast dough can continue expanding after ingestion, producing gas and causing significant discomfort and abdominal distension.
In more serious cases, the expanding dough can cause severe complications, including stomach or intestinal rupture.
Corn Cobs
Corn cobs can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed. Unlike the kernels, the cob isn't easily digested and can become lodged in the digestive tract, sometimes requiring surgical removal.
Coffee, Tea and Chocolate
Coffee, tea and chocolate contain stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine, which can be toxic to animals.
Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, increased breathing and heart rate, and effects on the central nervous system. More serious cases can involve tremors and seizures.
The level of risk depends on the type of food or drink, the amount consumed and the size of the animal.
Ham
Honey-baked ham is a popular food during the festive season. If your beloved pet is giving you those "hungry eyes" while you're tucking into your Christmas ham (or at any other time of the year!), it's best to resist sharing it.
Deli hams are often high in salt, while many baked hams contain added sugar, honey and other ingredients that aren't ideal for our pets.
It's best to stick to foods that are appropriate for your animal rather than sharing processed leftovers.
Feeding Your Pets Naturally
The best way to show our pets love is to feed them a wholesome, appropriate diet that supports their wellbeing in the long run.
Discover more about feeding your dog naturally and making informed choices about what goes into their bowl.