These Items Are Toxic to Dogs & Cats.
CHOCOLATE & CAFFEINE.
Toxic to Dogs and Cats
The type and amount of chocolate determine the symptoms and level of toxicity. Symptoms can include, being sick, diarrhoea, increased thirst, tummy discomfort, lethargy, muscle tremors, irregular heartbeat, high temperature, seizures, and death.
The darker the chocolate the more dangerous it is because dark chocolate can contain high caffeine levels which can cause Toxicosis in a dog. So with that in mind, you should also keep your dog or cat away from caffeinated drinks.
With the strong possibility of having extra chocolate and sweets (see Xylitol further on in this article) in the home at Christmas, Easter, and Halloween you should be especially careful at these times.
GRAPES & RAISINS.
While not always poisonous to all dogs or cats, eating these has been known to be associated with kidney failure in others, so for safety's sake, it's probably best to avoid letting your dog eat them.
Eating them can lead within 12 hours to being sick, lethargy, and diarrhoea. Failure to treat these symptoms can further lead to dehydration, decreased appetite, and increased urination followed by decreased urination. If your dog or cat has eaten raisins or grapes consult or get them to your vet immediately. consumption of these items can lead to kidney disease or even death from kidney failure within three to four days.
ALCOHOL & RAW BREAD DOUGH
Alcohol can be toxic to dogs or cats because it contains ethanol, and beer also contains hops. Signs of intoxication include being sick, disorientation, high temperature, restlessness, excessive panting, muscle tremors, and seizures.
If your dog or cat shows any signs of intoxication it should be monitored by your vet until it recovers as it can cause organ failure and even death.
Raw bread dough contains yeast which can cause a dog or cats stomach to expand, leading to breathing difficulties and tissue damage.
XYLITOL
This is an artificial sweetener found in many commercially produced foods and sweets. It can also be found in toothpaste, mouthwashes, chewable vitamins, and cough drops.
If a dog or cat eats anything, and it doesn't have to be much, containing Xylitol, it can cause a life threatening drop in the dog's blood sugars as well as liver damage. Symptoms, which can occur anytime from a few minutes to several hours after consumption can include being sick, seizures, and loss of coordination. Consult your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten anything containing Xylitol.
ONIONS & GARLIC
Anything that comes under the umbrella of the onion family is poisonous to dogs or cats. Eating them raw or cooked can cause gastroenteritis, anemia, and serious damage to the red blood cells
Garlic is considered to be five times more potent than onions.
Quite often, it may be several days before signs of onion or garlic poisoning appears. Symptoms include lethargy, weakness, and orange to dark red coloured urine.
Japanese dog breeds such as the Akita and Shiba Inus tend to be more sensitive to this.
Additional Toxic Items Relating to Cats.
MILK
While not exactly toxic to cats, most cats are lactose intolerant, and what you think is a treat for them by giving them a saucer of milk could give them a poorly tummy. So best to avoid giving them that saucer of milk. A nice bowl of fresh water is always best.
LILIES
Every part of the lily, including the water in the vase, is highly toxic to cats. So I would strongly suggest that you do not have lilies in your house or garden.
Signs of lily toxicity include lethargy, drooling, being sick, and loss of appetite.
ANTIFREEZE (ETHEYLINE GLYCOL)
Cats find this appealing because of its sweet taste, but it is highly toxic to cats. Even just a few drops in a puddle under a vehicle is enough to cause serious kidney damage or even death.
Symptoms include being sick, drooling, loss of appetite, excessive peeing, or not peeing at all. Consult your vet if you see these symptoms.
MEDICINES & PILLS FOR HUMANS
Paracetamol and Ibruprofen are both highly poisonous to cats, with Paracetamol being VERY toxic to cats, causing irreversible damage to the red blood cells and liver. So under no circumstances should these be given as pain relief to your cat
Symptoms include panting, difficulty breathing, and a brown tongue and gums. If you see these consult your vet immediately.
All the information in this article has been taken from Hill Pet Nutrition Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives (hillspet.co.uk) and Battersea Cats & Dogs Home's websites.