It is no secret, Americans love their pets. And it is a sure thing that our pets love us back, especially our food. But no matter how cute they may look while begging for food, there are some human foods that are incredibly dangerous that we must keep away from our cats and dogs.

Xylitol

This is an artificial sweetener found in candy, mouthwash, toothpaste, and mints. This is harmful because it triggers a sudden release of insulin that leads to the low blood sugar disorder hypoglycemia. Within a half hour of ingestion, your pet may seem confused, tired, may vomit, and be uncoordinated. As this can cause liver damage in dogs, this can be fatal if it goes untreated.

Chocolate and Caffeine

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are two very toxic substances to animals. Different chocolates contain different amounts of caffeine, so in order to be cautious keep all chocolate away from pets at all times. Death can occur within one day if consumed, and can also cause muscle tremors, seizures, and rapid heart rate.

Grapes and Raisins

While the toxic agent is unknown, grapes can cause sudden and fatal kidney failure in both cats and dogs. This can happen after consuming just one grape.

Garlic and Onions

These substances contain toxins that damage red blood cells in cats and dogs. The red blood cells that are affected can possibly rupture, or loose their functionality to carry oxygen efficiently. Also be warned that cooking these foods does not reduce their toxicity, meaning they should be kept away from pets at all costs.

Macadamia Nuts

Found in many common snacks, when ingested these nuts can induce depression, weakness, tremors, and joint pain. In some cases these ailments can resolve themselves within a day or two, but monitoring is highly recommended.

If your pet ends up consuming some of these toxic foods, you must bring your pet to your family veterinarian right away as they have medical equipment that can help treat any illnesses.

And if you are a vet, considering investing in some used medical equipment for your office, as refurbished medical equipment like veterinary autoclaves and veterinary exam tables are great ways to save money on quality product.
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