When it comes to giving a little human food to our furry companions, it’s essential to know which human foods are safe and which can pose serious health risks. Your beloved pooch or kitty may beg for a taste of what you’re snacking on, and in some cases, lead to unintended consequences. In this post, we’ll explore a comprehensive list of pet safe foods that can be beneficial, as well as highlight the some unsafe foods that should always be kept out of their reach.
Pet Safe Foods vs. Unsafe Foods
Pet parents, do you find yourself tempted to give your furry companion a taste of your snack or meal?
Do: Use your internet browser (or this post!) to see whether or not the contents of your food is safe for pets.
Don’t: Chuck a piece of your food on the floor for your pet without thinking about if it could be a safe food or unsafe food.
Pet Safe Foods
- Raw bones and muscle/organ meat
- Raw or cooked eggs, including some of the membrane and shell
- Veggies: cucumber, carrots, bell pepper, zuchini, green beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin, corn (no cob), cooked potato and some cooked mushrooms.
- Fruits: cantaloupe, mango (no pit), pineapple (no core), watermelon, apple (no core), apricot (no pit), banana (in moderation), honeydew, kiwi (no skin), and pear (no core)
- Berries: strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, cranberry, and cherry (no pit)
- Plain, greek yogurt
- Peanut butter without xylitol or birch sugar
- Cream cheese
- Plain cheeses (no spices or seasonings)
- Meat or veggie purees
Unsafe Foods
- Cooked bones and animal skin/fat/grease
- Leafy greens: spinach, kale, lettuce, and rhubarb.
- Lettuce is low calorie and contains no nutrients. While it isn’t harmful, it has no real benefit.
- Veggies: onions, garlic, chives, spring onion, chili pepper, raw potatoes, raw and/or wild mushrooms, leek, shallot, and corn cob
- Fruits: avocado, grape, raisins, any citrus fruit, tomato, apple seeds, fruit juice, dried fruit, and fruit flavored candy
- Raspberries contain xylitol, a natural sugar toxic to pets
- Peanut butter or other spreads containing xylitol, also called birch sugar
- Dark chocolate
- Milk & white chocolate have enough sugar and less cocoa to not have series adverse affects unless consumed in high quantities compared to the pet’s overall weight
Wait!
What about if you’re on a hike, or at a park, and you stumble across your dog or cat nosing around in some mushrooms, flowers, or plants? Those aren’t necessarily human foods per se, but they can still be toxic to your pets.
Take action quickly, if your pet has gotten into an unidentified plant, mushroom, or flower, contact an emergency vet right away. You can additionally call the ASPCA Pet Poison Control at (888)426-4435 if you have to wait to see a vet. Another great resource is the Plant Identification Group on Facebook if you can’t identify what they ate in order to inform the hotline or your vet.
Do: Take immediate action. Identify the substance your pet ate, and take the proper next steps before symptoms occur.
Don’t: Wait until symptoms show to take action.
What Happens if my Pet Eats Something They Shouldn’t?
Typically, pets who accidentally get only a small taste of something when it drops to the floor or out on a walk experience little to no discomfort, because it wasn’t a large enough quantity to have an affect. So don’t worry! If your furry friend is otherwise acting like themselves, just monitor their pottying habits and behavior for a few days.
However, let’s say your cat busted into your pantry and ate through 5 loaves of bread, including the plastic and twist tie; or, your dog chewed through their wire crate and gobbled up an entire chocolate mousse cake that was waiting for your child after their birthday party. Or really any other circumstance where your dog or cat eats potentially dangerous amounts of unsafe foods or inedible objects.
These are some symptoms to look out for, starting with the least emergent to the most emergent:
- Your pet is uncontrollably pacing, panting, and drooling after eating something they shouldn’t
- This is a common early symptom of poisoning in pets
- It’s best to consult your vet for further steps to either induce vomiting or wait it out
- You notice that your pet is suddenly lethargic, not eating well, and overall not acting like themselves.
- This can be common when animals are experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort, or in the worst case, a blockage or impaction.
- Schedule an appointment with your vet if your pet is still eating and drinking, but see an emergency vet if your pet is food or water avoidant.
- Your pet has sudden, uncontrollable, and explosive diarrhea.
- This is the most common sign of digestive upset
- Diarrhea can quickly dehydrate pets, encourage water consumption through wet food, soaking dry food, or adding plan chicken bone broth
- This can be a sign that your pet ate something inedible. If you suspect this, see an emergency vet!
- You see traces of pink, orange, red, or dark brown streaks or foam in your pet’s diarrhea or vomit
- This can indicate an internal injury caused by something they ate.
- Do not wait! This is an emergency.
- Your pet has a sudden, new seizure episode, or is convulsing on the ground after vomiting or hacking
- This is an emergency and should not wait!!!!
Key Takeaways
To recap, knowing which human foods your pets can munch on safely and which ones could make them sick is super important for keeping them happy and healthy. It can be oh-so-tempting to share your snacks with your furry pals, but always put their safety first by checking what’s considered pet safe foods. Remember, moderation is everything, and if you’re unsure, just ask your vet.
Remember:
- Dark chocolate is toxic – milk and white chocolate cause discomfort.
- Garlic, onion, chili pepper, and other veggies or spices are toxic to your pets.
- Orange, lime, lemon, and other fruits in the citrus family can cause fatal symptoms
- Xylitol, known as birch sugar, is a natural sugar that is toxic to pets, and it’s in a lot of natural and prepared foods.
Lastly, if your pet gets into something they shouldn’t have like any unsafe foods or a toxic plant, spotting the signs of trouble and getting them to the vet quickly can really help. By staying savvy and being careful, you can treat your pets now and then without a worry. Here’s to happy, healthy, and well-fed furbabies!
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