TOXIC TREATS
Hide These Holiday Foods From Your Pets
As pet parents enjoy festive holiday meals and treats, they may be tempted to share a few goodies with their pets. Veterinarians have a word of advice for such moments: Don’t do it. A gesture of love can end badly if pets are fed the wrong human foods. The most common cause of pet poisoning is chocolate, one of the holidays’ most prized treats. Dogs and cats should never eat chocolate. Dark chocolate contains methylxanthine which is toxic to dogs, causing seizures, an irregular heartbeat, diarrhea, and vomiting. The same chemical compound can cause irregular heartbeats, muscle tremors, or seizures in cats. Milk chocolate is high in sugar and fat and may cause pancreatitis, which can be difficult to treat. Another popular holiday treat, macadamia nuts, are among the most poisonous foods for dogs, causing vomiting, fever, lethargy, and an inability to walk. These human treats can damage the canine nervous system, and they are toxic to cats as well. Guard against the growing list of products that contain xylitol. The incidence of xylitol poisoning in pets has risen sharply as the sweetener is added to more products. Check your peanut butter label before stuffing your pet’s kong with it. Baked goods, candies, honey, and yogurt also may contain the sweetener.
This sugar substitute can trigger a release of insulin in dogs and cats, causing
tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea and potentially leading to liver failure.
Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and, eventually, kidney failure. The reasons for those effects aren’t clear, but the likely cause is that dogs cannot metabolize the flavonoids and tannins from grapes. Similar effects are seen in cats, including abdominal pain and reduced urination. Onions and garlic, popular ingredients in holiday dishes, threaten both species. In dogs, garlic causes pale gums, a speeding heart, weakness, and collapse. In cats, onions and garlic — powdered, raw, or cooked — are toxic, whether consumed in small quantities over time or in large quantities. Symptoms include anemia and other serious problems. Yogurt and milk in small amounts may be OK for your pets, assuming they are xylitol-free. But watch your pet for signs of lactose intolerance. Symptoms typically appear within 30 minutes to two hours, including bloating, diarrhea, and weight loss.
Steve & Steph Hanson Patty Bartlett Kathy Shelby Beverly Kolkman Clients Spreading the Word
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
UnNtiloFtiucrether Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on the first and third Saturday of the month. We will continue to be open on the second and fourth Saturdays. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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