Some foods consumed daily by humans are found to be toxic to dogs and cats. Here are the products that we must avoid giving to our pets.
Our four-legged friends, sometimes greedy, rarely miss an opportunity to get some of the contents of our plate. If some masters satisfy these desires out of love for their dog or their cat, giving in to these desires can sometimes be dangerous. Because many of the foods consumed daily or almost by men are dangerous, toxic and can be fatal in large quantities for animals. For the health of these little creatures, it is therefore important to keep these foodstuffs away:
- Chocolate and all cocoa products. These products are toxic to dogs and cats because of theobromine, a molecule that dangerously stimulates the nervous system and heart rate of animals.
- Onions and garlic. The first is toxic in all its forms, raw or cooked, because of the organosulfur compounds it contains and which lead to the destruction of red blood cells. Garlic and leek, less dangerous, still contain a toxic substance: thiosulphate.
- Some fruits and vegetables and the raw potato. Grapes, plums, pears, apricots, cherries and avocado are toxic to animals, but the nature of the toxic active compound has not yet been determined. As for the potato, it turns out to be toxic when eaten raw because of the solanine, which is also toxic for humans.
- egg white. Egg white is toxic because it contains avidin which destroys vitamin B8 necessary for the functioning of the metabolism. The egg yolk can be given from time to time without problem.
- Macadamia and cashew nuts. These nuts are toxic to dogs and cats and can cause seizures and paralysis, but the substance causing the danger is not known.
- The cooked bones. Carnivores, dogs and cats can eat bones, but it is not recommended to give cooked bones, which are more fragile, which can break and perforate the stomach, the esophagus or cause lesions. Poultry and rabbit bones are most likely to break.
Without being dangerous, other products are not recommended for animal feed, even occasionally. This is the case of cow’s milk and its derivative products which are not suitable for lactose intolerant dogs and cats. Finally, as for men, certain products are obviously not recommended: alcohol or foods that are too fatty, too sweet or too salty.