A veterinarian in California has published a letter to pet owners warning against the dangers of feeding table scraps to your pets. Some of the things on the list were no-brainers--I think we all know we can't feed chocolate to dogs--but some were really surprising! Here's the list of stuff that could be dangerous to your pet, and WHY...it's probably best not to feed them ANY human food at all!
Turkey: While a huge turkey bone may seem like a delicious treat for your pup, it can lead to choking and cause damage to your pet’s GI tract.
Ham: Pork products can cause pancreatitis, upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, pork is high in fat and sodium, which can lead to obesity, dehydration and even sodium ion poisoning.
Prime rib: No one likes dry and overcooked beef. However, undercooked meats contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can be dangerous to domestic pets. Leave the raw meats for canines in the wild. Domestic pets aren't accustomed to the same raw diet that wild animals are.
Stuffing: Most stuffing recipes call for items that can be toxic to dogs and cats, like garlic and onions. But there’s another common ingredient that often gets overlooked — sage. Sage can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
Candied yams/sweet potato casserole: If raisins are involved in your recipe — that’s a huge no for your pet. There’s a toxic substance in grapes and raisins that has been linked to kidney failure in dogs.
Dinner rolls: Plain bread is generally safe to give your pets occasionally, however raw yeast dough can ruin their entire holiday. The sugars in the dough turn to carbon dioxide gas and alcohol, which can result in bloated drunken pets.
Pecan pie: Most nuts are high in fat and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even pancreatitis in pets.
Chocolate: This one is a no-brainer, but in case you forgot, never feed your pets chocolate (yes, that goes for dark chocolate too.) Substances within chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, seizures, tremors and even death.
However, a few foods are ok for your pets, as long as you keep the quantities small: “A few small boneless pieces of cooked unseasoned turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem,”
Here's to your health, and the health of your furbabies!
[FOX13]