Should I Feed My Cat Milk?

It’s okay to give my cat milk, right? Well….no, not really. Well, can I give my dog ice cream? No...that's not okay either.

From fruit to nuts, there are several foods we humans love to eat that can potentially be toxic to our pets. Sure you might slip your dog  a scrap or two from the dinner table, but it's important to know which foods should always be kept away from your pet and the dangers they can cause.


Milk and Other Dairy Products
It is actually not okay to give your cat or dog dairy products. Although kittens are able to tolerate milk, most adult cats are lactose intoerlant cannot process dairy food causing an upset stomach. And the same goes for dogs. You’ve probably seen a movie with a dog eating ice cream,  but milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive upset as well as food allergies (which often manifest as itchiness).

Onions, Garlic, Chives - Onion in all forms

All forms of the above—powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated— can break down a dog’s and cat’s red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. This also includes onion powder that's found in some baby foods. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.

Grapes and Raisins

Ever given your dog some fruit? Some are okay but grapes and raisins, even in small amounts, can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats. For cats, vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs while for dogs, vomiting is a first sign followed by lethargy and depression. Be sure to keep grapes and raisins out of your pet’s reach.

Caffeine

Caffeine is something most people have—or need—on a daily basis. But in large quantities, caffeine can be fatal for a cat or dog. Caffeine is found in tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, soda and energy drinks, many of which can be found in homes across America. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits and bleeding so please be sure that your pet cannot get ahold of any.

Chocolate

Most people already know not to give a dog chocolate, but the same goes for cats, too; it can be fatal. The most dangerous include dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Both contain the toxic agent, theobromine, which is found in all chocolate including white chocolate. If you pet eats chocolate, it can result in abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.

Candy and Gum

What we’re really talking about here is xylitol. It is used as a sweetener and can be found in candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods. When a dog or cat ingests xylitol, it can increase the insulin circulating in their body, which can lead to low blood sugar. Xylitol can also cause the liver to fail.  Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination; seizures can occur soon after ingesting the xylitol, and liver failure can occur within just a few days.

Raw Meat and Fish

Raw meat and raw fish can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning in cats and dogs. For cats, raw fish can have enzymes that destroy thiamine—an essential B vitamin for your cat. Cats can experience neurological problems that can to convulsions and coma. For dogs, certain types of fish, such as salmon and trout, can contain a parasite that causes "fish disease" or "salmon poisoning disease" which can be fatal within two weeks. Signs include vomiting, fever, and big lymph nodes.

Yeast Dough

Bread dough needs to rise and if eaten by your pet, it will swell up inside their stomach and stretch the abdomen causing severe pain. Also, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it will produce alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Fat Trimmings and Bones

No doggie bag’s needed here. Table scraps often contain fat trimmed off of meat and bones, both of which can pose a danger to cats and dogs. Cooked and uncooked fat can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Bones can splinter and cause lacerations in your pet’s digestive system and can also cause choking.

Alcohol

We shouldn’t have to tell you this, but we will anyway—don’t give your pet alcohol! No form of alcohol nor any foods containing alcohol should ever be given to a cat or dog. Alcohol has the same effects on pets as it does on humans, but in far less amounts. Alcohol will cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma, and even death.

 

Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts and foods containg the nut can be fatal to dogs. As few as six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can cause poisoning including muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate.

Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums

Seeds found in in persimmons can cause inflammation in dogs. Peach and plum pits also contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs.

Tuna

We’re not saying your cat can never have tuna, but we are saying your cat shouldn’t have a steady diet of tuna which can lead to malnutrition. Too much tuna can also cause mercury poisoning.

Avocados  

Everything tastes better with avocado here in San Antonio, but not for dogs. Avocados contain a substance called persin and large amounts can be toxic to dogs. If you have some avocados growing in your yard, be sure to keep your dog away from the plants because persin is also in the leaves, seed, and bark.

Sugary Foods and Salt

Too much sugar is bad for just about everyone. For our pets, just like for humans, too much sugar (and too many treats) can lead to obesity, dental problems, and diabetes. Salty foods are also not good because too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning that may even cause death.

As pet parents, it’s important to the dangers that some foods can cause for our pets. We must also ensure that they get well-balanced meals to live a long and healthy life. Have your vet recommend a quality brand of food that will include all the nutrients they need. 

Pets, no matter how hard we try, will still manage to get into our pantrys or on the dinner table and eat things that aren't meant for them. Keep the number of your vet and the closest emergency clinic someone easy to find, like the refridgerator. Also, jot down the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center just in case: (888) 426-4435.