What Not to Feed Your Pet

If you suspect your pet has eaten a potentially poisonous plant, it is best to bring your pet in to your veterinarian.

At Advanced Care Pet Hospital, walk-ins are always welcome.

For after hour emergency questions or consultation one can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at:

                 1-888-426-4435 (1-888-4-ANI-HELP)

They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.   They do charge a consultation fee.   At the time of this posting (9.9.2009), their website indicated a fee of $60.


Chocolate, coffee, caffeine – These all contain substances called methylxanthines.  Baking chocolate or dark chocolates will contain the greatest quantities of this substance.  Ingestion can result in vomiting, diarrhea, panting, thirst, tremors, seizures, and even potentially death.

Alcohol – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, coma and even potentially death.
Grapes and Raisins -  can potentially cause kidney failure.  Toxic substance  is not yet determined.

Macadamia Nuts – (especially watch the chocolate covered ones!)  They can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, hyperthermia.

Avacado -  A substance called, Persin, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.  Difficulty In breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart can also be seen which can be potentially fatal.

Yeast (Bread Dough) – can cause painful distention, potentially intestinal rupture, as the bread “rises”.

Raw, Uncooked Meat or Raw Eggs -   Bacteria such as Salmonella and E-Coli can be transmitted to your pet by feeding these.  In addition, feeding raw eggs can actually be detrimental to your pet’s coat as raw egg contains an enzyme called avidin that can result in decreased absorption of the B-vitamin Biotin.

Bones – Although your dog may love chewing on them, feeding bones is probably one of the best ways to cause your pet to make an emergency visit to your veterinarian.  Bones can get stuck in dog’s mouths, puncture oral tissue, fracture teeth, injure instestinal lining and become lodged in the intestinal tract.

Xylitol  - gum, candy, toothpaste – these all can contain xilitol, a sweetener.  It can cause insulin release and a subsequent and dangerous drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia).  Symptoms may include lethargy, vomiting, loss of coordination, collapse and seizures.

Onions, Garlic, Chives – These have the potential of causing red blood cell damage.  The risk is greater for cats than dogs, but still should not be fed to dogs in anything but occasional very small amounts.





























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