At Belle Isle Animal Hospital in Sandy Springs, we understand how tempting it is to show your pet love by sharing human food. However, many of the foods we enjoy every day can be harmful to our pets. We recommend avoiding table scraps altogether – this keeps your fur-babies safe and helps prevent unwanted behaviors like “begging.”
Check out the list below from our Sandy Springs animal hospital team for some common human foods to avoid feeding your pets:
Alcohol – Alcohol can be life threatening if ingested and it should never be purposefully given to your pet.
Avocado – Avocados can cause heart damage in some species and the large pit could cause an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract.
Chocolate – Including dark chocolate, white chocolate, and baking chocolate.
Citrus – The citric acid in fruits or concentrated oils can cause central nervous system damage if ingested in large quantities.
Coffee or Caffeine – Caffeine can be toxic even in small amounts.
Coconut Oil – Too much coconut oil can cause GI-upset
Grapes & Raisins– Grapes can damage a pets kidney’s and even a small amount has been found to cause kidney failure in some pets.
Garlic – These can cause GI-upset and damage to red blood cells. Cats are highly sensitive, but they can harm dogs as well.
Milk and Dairy – Just like some people, cats and dogs are lactose intolerant when it comes to dairy products from other animals.
Nuts – Especially macadamia nuts which can cause tremors, lethargy, and vomiting.
Large Amounts of Salt – Pets have a lower tolerance for sodium so it’s important to avoid salty snacks or sea water.
Onions / Chives– These can cause GI-upset and damage to red blood cells. Cats are highly sensitive, but they can harm dogs as well.
Raw / Undercooked Meat or Eggs – these can contain harmful bacteria that may make your pet sick. Humans in the household could also get sick from interacting with the pets.
Uncooked / Cooked Bones – Bones can splinter in the GI tract, causing serious issues and even chewing on uncooked bones can be damaging to teeth.
Xylitol – this is an ingredient often found in sugar-free items as an alternative sweetener. Even a small amount can be life-threatening.
Yeast Dough – yeast dough can cause the stomach to fill with gas and potentially twist which is life-threatening.
At Belle Isle Animal Hospital in Sandy Springs, we understand that sometimes you may want to share human food with your pet. If you do decide to do so, here are some safe options in moderation: for dogs, carrots, green beans, sweet potato, plain unseasoned chicken, and plain rice or bread are usually safe. For cats, plain tuna (rinsed to remove salt/oil) or plain unseasoned chicken are safe options. However, keep in mind that anything new can still upset your pet’s stomach, especially if they have a sensitive digestive tract.
If you have any questions about your pet’s diet, or are concerned about anything they’ve eaten, don’t hesitate to reach out to Belle Isle Animal Hospital, your trusted animal hospital in Sandy Springs. Our team is always happy to assist!
