People Food can be deadly to your Pet

It can be tempting to treat your pet to “people food”. Did you know that certain types of people food can cause sickness and even death for your pet? While it is hard to resist the sad puppy dog look, it is important to resist giving them human treats. In 2007, the Animal Poison Control center received over 130,000 calls due to human food and other household items. When treating your pet, it is important to stick to the treats specifically made for animals. Below is a short list of common foods that can be harmful to your pet’s health

• Chocolate – It contains Theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large quantities. Dark and unsweetened bakers chocolate are especially toxic to pets. When using these items in the kitchen, keep them out of reach and never give them as treats.

• Sugar-free gum – Often contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener. This ingredient can alter the blood sugar levels of your dog, leading to collapse and seizures. It can also cause acute liver failure.

• Grapes and raisins – This might come as a surprise but these fruits can make your pet very sick. They can lead to kidney failure over time. The toxin can build up in your pets system, so even 1 or 2 grapes or raisins a day over a period of time can have serious consequences.

• Alcoholic Beverages – This may be a very obvious tip, but alcohol can have dire effects on your pet. These beverages can have the same damaging effect as they do in people, but even more so in animals. Their bodies and organs are much smaller than ours, so they can tolerate less.

If you are looking to reward your pet for good behavior, or just give them a treat, it is important to give only treats made for your pet. If you have questions about what to feed your pet, contact your vet.