What Not to Feed Your Pets

WHAT NOT TO FEED YOUR PETS We all love to spoil our pets by giving them a tasty treat once in a while, but not all foods are suitable for your pets. The following are best kept away from your furry friends... DOGS Avocado Grapes & raisins This can be toxic to dogs in large amounts as it contains persin, something which is found in the fruit, leaves, seeds and bark. These fruits can cause kidney failure in dogs but it's not clear why. Keep them off counters as even a small amount could make your dog ill. Salty foods Peaches & plums Sugary foods Sodium ion poisoning can occur if your dog has too much salty food, so it's best not to share things like chips and pretzels with them. As with humans, too The pits in these fruits contain cyanide which is poisonous to animals and people - we know not to swallow this, but dogs don't! much sugary food and drink can lead to obesity, dental problems and the onset of diabetes. Other foods not to feed your dog include: Macadamia nuts, alcohol, chocolate and bread/yeast dough. Safe treats: Slices of fresh fruits Vegetables likes carrot sticks, green beans & cucumber slices. Cooked white like apples, bananas and watermelon. rice & pasta. Remove the seeds first! CATS Onions, garlic, chives & leeks Caffeine There's little you can do with a cat that's Small amounts taken consumed a large quantity of caffeine, so make sure to keep things like coffee and energy regularly or a large quantity taken at once can destroy a cat's red blood cells, causing anemia. drinks out of their reach. Raw eggs Raw fish Salmon, trout, shad and sturgeon contain parasites which could cause "fish Because they're rich in protein, cooked eggs are great for both humans and cats. But E coli and Lilies disease", something which may be fatal within two weeks if left untreated. Certain types of lilies could be very toxic to your cat. If pollen or a leaf is ingested, poisoning could result. salmonella are a risk from raw eggs, so don't feed them to your cat. Other foods not to feed your cat include: Chocolate, alcohol, grapes, raisins, and bread/yeast dough. Safe treats: Sometimes cats crave A small amount of cheese can be a great source of protein for your cat. Cooked meats veggies - try giving them a small amount like chicken, eggs or fish. of broccoli. Be careful: some cats are lactose intolerant! RATS RABBITS Citrus fruits Lettuce Fruits like limes, grapefruits and oranges are best avoided as they are too acidic and can cause kidney damage, especially with male rats. Certain types of lettuce, such as iceberg, should not be fed to rabbits as they contain laudanum, something which can be harmful in large quantities. Carrots Chocolates Despite images from popular culture, carrots should not be used as a main It's not advisable to feed chocolate to your rats as many animals find it toxic, particularly dark chocolate which is higher in caffeine. source of food for rabbits as they do not naturally eat root veg. Carrots should only be fed as an occasional treat as they are high in sugar. Cheese Grass clippings It's best not to feed lawn clippings to rabbit as they ferment quickly and Because cheese is high in fat, it should only be fed as a special treat. Blue your could cause digestive trouble. The majority of your rabbit's diet should consist of good quality hay. ese is best avoided altogether as the mold can be toxic. Other foods not to feed your rat include: Other foods not to feed your rabbit include: Food that is made for other animals like hamsters or Muesli mix - this has been linked to various health guinea pigs, as these will not have the right nutrition. problems in rabbits. Ask your vet for more info. Safe treats: Safe foods: Sunflower seeds and peanuts make good occasional treats. It's also normal for rats to eat their own fresh droppings, so don't stop them from doing this! A mix of green vegetables such as broccoli, celery, peas and courgettes are suitable for daily feeding. gocompare .com Sources: Animal Friends, ASPCA, Web MD, PDSA, RSPCA, HelpUCover, the BRC, Rabbit Welfare, Squidoo