Seattle Veterinary Associates

Some items deadly for pets

By Bernie Delinski
Staff Writer

Foods intended for human consumption are not safe for pets. Local veterinarians say pets should only eat food that is formulated for pets. Foods that are especially dangerous for four-legged friends include chocolate, grapes, caffeine, onions and medicines made for humans.
Sheffield resident Michelle Ray loves her dogs dearly, but she knows better than to kill them with kindness.

Ray said that is why she tries to restrict their diets simply to dog food.

“One thing we don’t do is feed them table scraps,” she said. “They might get the occasional French fry as a treat, but that’s about all we do. A lot of people think it’s OK to give table scraps, but it’s really not healthy for them.”

Local veterinarians wish more pet owners would follow Ray’s lead. They said many people are surprised to learn that certain foods are dangerous — and potentially deadly — to dogs.

Ray, who helps with local animal rescue efforts, said dogs shouldn’t consume onions, chocolate or anything containing caffeine.

“People also don’t realize artificial sweeteners are not good for dogs,” she said.

Dr. Randall Davis, of the Tennessee Valley Animal Clinic in Tuscumbia, said artificial sweeteners contain xylitol, which can cause liver damage and bring a life-threatening drop in blood sugar in dogs.

Candy isn’t the only substance with xylitol. Toothpaste and some baked goods also contain the ingredient.

Davis said it’s best to avoid feeding dogs table scraps and other foods intended for people.

“If you feed a dog dog food, you won’t have a lot of these issues,” Davis said. “Keep it simple. Dog food is nutritionally complete. The extra is extra.

“Most overweight dogs are that way because they’re going to eat what you give them. It makes people feel good to watch the dog eat.”

As Dr. Matthew Connolly, of Connolly Animal Clinic in Florence, put it: “If it doesn’t come out labeled for a dog or cat, don’t feed it to them.”

“Problems we see are people feeding them meats and things that they eat,” Connolly said.

Davis said chocolate, grapes, macadamia nuts and avocados are dangerous to dogs.

“People may let their dog finish off a plate of guacamole and not know it’s bad for them,” he said.

Connolly said foods with high-fat content also pose a major problem. He cautions against feeding pets medicine that is intended for people.

“One Tylenol can kill a cat,” he said. “We get a lot of problems when people go ahead and medicate their dog and call a few hours later to ask if it’s OK.

“Dogs and cats just don’t metabolize drugs like we do. Some of the coated medicines we use have a sweet-tasting coating, and animals like to get it up off the ground if it falls. That coating is dangerous to them.”

In addition, medicine is dosed according to a person’s weight.

“If you feed it to a 45-pound dog or 10-pound cat, common sense ought to tell you that’s going to be way too much,” Connolly said.

Davis often gives pet owners an information sheet about dangerous foods.

There also is the issue of weight gain in animals.

Connolly said feeding a 10-pound cat a potato chip is the equivalent to a person consuming a hamburger.

Some foods to avoid giving to dogs, according to information from the Pet Poison Helpline, include:

Chocolate. Dark chocolate especially is dangerous. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is similar to caffeine. The results vary from vomiting and diarrhea to pancreatitis, seizures and death.

Onions. They can destroy red blood cells.

Alcohol. It’s toxic and life-threatening, even in small amounts, according to the pet’s size.

Unbaked bread dough. It can rise in a pet’s stomach, resulting in various problems, including bowel obstruction and even cause the stomach to twist, leading to potentially fatal results. Also, as yeast ferments, it releases alcohol.

Grapes and raisins. This can cause kidney failure, depending on dosage and pet size.

The medical site, webmd.com, adds raw meat, fish and eggs to the list of foods that are dangerous to pets.