Should you feed your dinner scraps to your furkid? Can a bouquet of flowers be toxic? Here’s what to keep away from your dogs and cats to ensure they are safe and healthy, and the signs to look out for if they have accidentally ingested anything toxic.
A little treat from your own meals can sometimes hurt your furry friends. This is because garlic, coffee, artificial sweeteners, and grapes are in fact some of the most toxic human foods for cats and dogs.
And if you’re receiving a beautiful bouquet as a gift, do take note of the flowers in it! Some flowers, like peonies and lilies, and plants such as lucky bamboo and aloe vera can be potentially dangerous to your pets.
Read on to find out what to avoid feeding your furkids, as well as a list of pet-safe flowers and plants you can keep at home.
Which foods are toxic to pets?
Xylitol, onion, garlic, caffeine, chocolate, milk, dairy, grapes, and raisins are among humans’ food ingredients that are dangerous to dogs and cats.
Xylitol — A popular sugar substitute, xylitol can be found in many of our (humans’) sugar-free candies, vitamin gummies, breath mints, baked goods such as cupcakes, cough syrup, toothpaste, and more.
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. When consumed by a dog, it can cause low blood sugar, liver failure, seizures, and even death. Signs include vomiting, weakness, tremors, and difficulty walking.
Onion, garlic, chives, and leeks — These can cause gastroenteritis (inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract). Signs that your pets may have consumed it include drooling, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It may also cause anaemia in some cases.
Milk and dairy — Even though your cat may enjoy drinking cow’s milk, it is not necessarily good for her. Many cats and dogs have trouble digesting lactose in cow’s milk and dairy products such as cheese and butter, resulting in an upset stomach or diarrhoea. Milk and ice cream might also trigger food allergies.
Caffeine and chocolate — Methylxanthines, which are found in chocolate and caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea, can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, high body temperature, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, increased thirst, and seizures in pets. Generally, dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate and white chocolate.
Grapes and raisins — Just a small amount of these can make dogs and cats ill, and can even lead to kidney failure. If your pet has eaten grapes or raisins, early signs to look out for are repeated vomiting and hyperactivity.
Other signs that can show up within 24 hours of consumption include lethargy, diarrhoea, reduced appetite, and decreased urination.
Which plants are toxic to pets?
As pet parents, we know that our furkids are curious about anything and everything, including a bouquet of flowers you may have gotten. They might chew or lick on plants and flowers at home.
Not all flowers are safe for pets to ingest or come into contact with. We recommend always checking whether a certain houseplant or flower can be toxic, before introducing them to your home.
Some plants and flowers to AVOID include: aloe vera, lucky bamboo, chrysanthemum, tulips, kalanchoe, lilies, azalea, daisy, carnations, hyacinths, daffodils, peonies, philodendrons, and mistletoe.
Note that consuming of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats.
There are also some houseplants and flowers that are safer for cats and dogs. Pet-friendly plants include: basil, sunflower, spider plant, money tree, orchid, rose, aster, African violet, zinnia, bamboo palm, air plants, and bird’s nest fern.
How to keep your dogs and cats safe
Avoid feeding your furkid any table scraps of human food. It’s also recommended to store all human foods out of your pet’s reach, and to not let your pet on the kitchen counter or table when you are cooking or eating.
If you notice or suspect your pet has eaten something toxic or poisonous, contact your veterinarian immediately or bring them to the nearest emergency animal hospital.
Try to take note of the amount that was or could have been ingested.
Fear-Free veterinary care
Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery is led by Dr Esther Lam, a Fear-Free certified veterinarian who prioritises your pet’s emotional and physical well-being.
Our vet clinics, located in Yishun and Upper Thomson, a wide range of services, including consultation and hospitalisation care. Pet first-aid kits are also available for purchase at Paws N’ Claws.
Have a question, or wish to book an appointment at Paws N’ Claws? WhatsApp us at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson clinic) or 8809 0787 (Yishun clinic).
Alternatively, please fill in the form below to send us a query.
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