Most people know what you can and can and can not feed your pet. And, most foods that you can not feed your dog, you also can not give to your cat. I thought that I’d give you some ideas on things to watch out for.

1. Chocolate: Without a doubt this has to be the most dangerous of food stuffs that you could give to your pet, specifically, a dog. It is dangerous to your cat as well but more so for the canine. Just because something is friendly for the two legged species does not necessarily make it so for the 4 legged kind. There are some breeds (so I hear) that do not react to chocolate but most do and what happens is constriction of the arteries and increased heart rate for small amounts and for larger amounts ingested it could and probably will kill your pet.
2. Coffee: Also dangerous. Could cause increased heart rate, diarrhea, seizures, coma and or death.
3. Mushrooms, Onions, and Garlic: I knew about the onions but really didn’t consider garlic or mushrooms. Certain mushrooms can produce abdominal pain, liver and kidney damage and anemia. If you live in wooded areas, beware of wild mushrooms and watch what your pet does around them. Even garlic can be a foe. It can cause vomiting, liver damage, anemia and diarrhea. Other things to watch out for are anitfreeze and mistletoe. Mistletoe could cause vomiting, abdominal pain and depression. Watch out at Christmas and think of your pet first and foremost!

Even dog foods can contain harmful additives such as dyes and chemicals. Certain doses of BHA, which is a synthetic antioxidant preservative used to prevent dicoloration in pet foods, has caused cancer in lab rats. In most conventional dog foods there are large amounts of sodium which can also be harmful. Please read your pet’s food labels as well as your own!

I hope this has helped and maybe I was able to tell you something you didn’t already know. I wish your pets long life and happiness!