You may love avocados, grapes, macadamia nuts, coffee, onions, and chocolate, but these and other people foods can be toxic to cats and dogs.
Not sure if a treat is good for your pooch or puss? Talk to your vet.
Worried your pet may have eaten something toxic? Call the Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435.
10 Things to Never Feed Your Dog
Cooked bones - all bones are considered risky, including chicken, pork, and beef. Chicken bones are especially likely to get swallowed whole or only partially chewed, which can lead to intestinal perforation. The next time you feel the need to toss the dog a bone, try tossing a rawhide bone instead. Your dog will thank you for many happy, healthy years to come.
Chocolate - a lethal dose of baking chocolate for a 16-pound dog may be as little as 2 ounces, just a couple of bites. The killer in chocolate is theobromine, which are absorbed much more slowly in dogs, causing a deadly result: increased heart rate, central nervous system stimulation, and constriction of arteries.
Dairy (milk or cheese) - many dogs are lactose intolerant and can get diarrhea if they consume milk. They do not have the required enzyme to break down milk sugar and will react with vomit, diarrhea, and other indications of gastrointestinal distress.
Onions or garlic - The Allium species of plants (including garlic, onions, leeks, shallots, scallions, and chives) can cause damage to red blood cells and possible death. After ingestion, dogs may vomit or have diarrhea, which can progress to anemia, weakness, lethargy, or labored breathing. Onions, either raw or cooked, are far more dangerous. They contain thiosulphate, which is toxic to cats and dogs,
Raisins or grapes - In addition to the fact that a small dog can choke on a grape, grapes and raisins (dried grapes) can cause a lethal reaction in dogs of any size. The symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal discomforts. The toxic agent in grapes has yet to be identified, but it can threaten renal system function, bringing life-threatening kidney failure.
Apple cores - Cyanide poisoning can result from giving your dog the apple core from your afternoon snack. The pits and cores of certain fruits—plums, peaches, pears, apricots, and apple cores—may be fun to chew on but hide cyanogenic glycosides, better known as cyanide. When your dog munches on these seemingly harmless treats, he also ingests the toxin.
Uncooked yeast dough - never give the raw dough to your dog. If she eats it, the raw yeast dough ferments in her stomach, producing alcohol which is toxic to your pet. Another reason is that the dough will expand in your dog's stomach or intestines and produce an extremely large amount of gas. This will cause severe pain and can potentially rupture the stomach or intestines.
Caffeine - Similar to chocolate, coffee contains a stimulant that is unsafe for dogs. Methylated xanthine stimulates the central nervous system and within hours can cause vomiting, restlessness, heart palpitations, and unfortunately even death, so keep your coffee safely out of your dog's reach.
High sodium foods (like bacon) - As we discussed earlier with regard to cheese, bacon and other high-fat foods can cause pancreatitis, an often fatal condition.
Macadamia nuts - don't know exactly why, but we do know that dogs and macadamia nuts do not mix. The specific chemical has not been identified, but the reaction is well documented and may include weakness, lack of mobility, vomiting, lethargy, tremors, and hypothermia.