Food does so many good things for one’s body. We put such an emphasis on keeping ourselves healthy, but what about our pets? Making sure your pet gets all the nutrients they need is important. A healthy diet keeps your animals feeling happy, well, and energized. While there are so many good things out there for your pet to eat, there are bad things too. We have compiled a list of some of the most common foods to not feed your pet and why.

Things to Avoid

Some of our furry friends are exceptionally good at begging for food. Often times they stick around for any food scraps to fall off the table. It is important to keep an eye out for certain foods because they can cause serious damage. Unfortunately, not only can animals suffer serious damage from food, but even death. Here is what to look out for.

Fruit

Certain fruits that contain citric acid, like oranges, can become extremely dangerous to animals. The citric acid in fruits can cause irritation and possibly long-lasting effects on the nervous system. The pits of cherries are also an issue for pets because of the presence of cyanide, which is deadly. Not all fruits are deadly to your furry friend, but if it has a high amount of sugar, it can become an issue. If your pet gets a hold of any fruit you are unsure of, please call a veterinarian just in case.

Chocolate

Even though chocolate is delicious to us, it is not good for our pets. Different types of chocolate have various effects on animals. According to ASPCA, chocolate contains methylxanthines. As a result, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and even death.

Alcohol

This is a big one. For some reason, some people think it is humorous to let their animals drink alcohol. Alcohol is something that can greatly harm an animal of any size. An animal does not have the same ability to process alcohol the same way humans do. It can cause vomiting, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma, and even death. This is something to avoid at all costs.

If you feel your animal has gotten into any of the things above, or something seems off, call Andes-Straley Veterinary Hospital. We specialize in a variety of services and treatment options for all kinds of animals. We are here to keep your pet happy and healthy. For more information on what to not feed your pet to eat, visit us online here. You can also call us at 423) 378-4443.