By Lauren Erhardt
High-quality pet food is always the best choice for your pets, however, there are some human foods that are safe for your cats or dogs:
- Cooked lean meat, eggs, and fish
- Cheese
- Whole grains
- Fruits and vegetables (without seeds or pits)
- Cooked rice or pasta
Be cautious about feeding your cats or dogs dairy products as they can be lactose intolerant.
Toxic foods for dogs and cats:
- Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum and candy
- Avocado (contains a toxin called a persin)
- Alcohol
- Onions, chives, and garlic (can lead to anemia)
- Coffee, tea, and other caffeine (more potent and poisonous)
- Grapes and raisins (can cause acute kidney injury and a lack of urine production)
- Macadamia nuts
- Chocolate (due to the toxin theobromine)
- Fat trimmings and bones (can cause pancreatitis and potential digestive tract injuries)
- Fruit seeds/ pits (contain poisons)
- Raw eggs, meat, or fish (can contain bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli)
- Sugary foods and drinks
- Yeast dough (intestinal blockages)
- Raw potatoes (contain the poison solanine)
- Your medicine
While dogs can eat peanut butter (check the ingredients for xylitol), it is not recommended for cats.
If your pet does happen to eat something it shouldn’t, please contact your veterinarian or any of the contact numbers below:
Pet Poison Helpline: 1-800-213-6680 (http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com)
Animal Poison Control Center: 1-888-426-4435 (http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control)
Emergency 24-hour Vets in Edmonton:
Guardian Veterinary Centre
Address: 5620 99 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 1V2
Phone: (780) 436-5880
VetEmerg:
Address: 12831 97 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5E 4C2
Phone:(780) 423-9111
