Foods that cats and dogs absolutely cannot eat

Are there any pet parents out there? Every pet parent worth their salt knows that there is a list of foods that cats and dogs cannot eat under any circumstances.

As difficult as it may be to deny a certain food when our pets make that famous “begging face”, it is necessary to keep in mind that there are several foods that cats and dogs cannot eat.

Many foods that we may consider harmless – since we can consume them without any problems – can be very harmful to our pets’ health.

With this in mind, we have prepared this special content to help alert owners about these foods. In it, we list some of the foods that are present in our daily lives, but that can be very harmful to the health of cats and dogs.

Foods that cats can't eat

With a very restricted diet, the ideal is for a cat's diet to consist only of food – it can be dry or wet. 

In addition, felines can also consume treats and other snacks made specifically for them – and which are usually available in pet shops and establishments focused on animal health.

Check out the list of foods that cats cannot eat:

Milk and other dairy products

Although there is still the idea that cats are directly linked to milk, this association is not correct. Like all mammals, cats go through the breastfeeding phase when they are born, but after this period, milk is not a good option for the feline's health.

After the nursing phase, cats develop lactose intolerance. Therefore, milk and other types of dairy products can trigger several health problems in felines, such as allergies, vomiting, diarrhea and even gastrointestinal problems.

Salty foods

When it comes to feline nutrition, salt – and foods that are very salty – are also on the list of foods that cats cannot eat.

As felines have a tendency to have kidney and urinary problems, when consuming salt, the mineral can accumulate in the kidneys, which can cause health problems for the cat.

Onion, garlic and leek

Even though they are very present in our diet, these seasonings are extremely toxic to cats and dogs.

This happens because these seasonings contain substances such as disulfides and sulfoxides in their composition. These substances are capable of destroying pets' red blood cells. These blood cells are the cells responsible for defending the animal's body. 

This can result in the development of anemia and even make the pet more susceptible to other diseases.

Avocado

This may be news to many people, but avocado is also a food that cats cannot eat.

Because it is a food very rich in fat, when consuming avocado, the digestive system of cats can be affected, causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Caffeine

Coffee and other caffeinated products are also foods that cats should not eat. Since these drinks contain a substance called neurotoxic alkaloids, their consumption can cause cardiac and cerebral alterations in felines.

Foods that dogs cannot eat

As for dogs, although the list of prohibited foods is a little smaller compared to that for cats, there are still foods that can harm our pets' health.

Below, we have separated some of these foods for you to keep well away from your dog:

Chocolates and sweets in general

Despite being a classic, many people still don't know that giving chocolates and other types of sweets is extremely harmful to dogs – and cats too.

Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine. This substance, which is a derivative of cocoa, can cause serious food poisoning in pets and even lead to death.

Sweets, on the other hand, are high in sugar and are high in calories, which can make pets obese and even diabetic. Furthermore, the sugar present in sweets is one of the causes of tartar formation, cavities and, in more serious cases, even tooth loss.

Grapes and raisins

Despite being a food that cats and dogs cannot eat, grapes and raisins are still a great mystery to scholars.

There is no precise scientific explanation or proof of the effects that these foods have on animal health, but there are reports in the veterinary field about dogs that died from kidney failure after ingesting these foods.

Citrus fruits

Another classic among the foods that cats and dogs cannot eat are citrus fruits.

Because of their high acidity, fruits such as oranges, tangerines and pineapple can upset the stomach of animals. This can result in gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.

Cooked poultry bones

Another food that is given quite frequently to dogs in millions of homes in Brazil but that can be harmful to the health of pets is cooked poultry bones.

When cooked, the structure present in collagen is altered, making this type of bone harder. 

When ingesting this food, in addition to causing the pet to have difficulty digesting, the dog runs the risk of having a gastrointestinal perforation.

Fried foods and other foods with excess fat

Very present in our daily lives, foods such as pizza, French fries, pastries and cheese are also foods that cats and dogs cannot eat.

These foods can cause everything from intestinal disorders to the development of diseases such as pancreatitis and inflammation of the pancreas, which can lead to the death of the animal.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are several foods that cats and dogs absolutely cannot eat. Therefore, just in case, the ideal is to maintain a diet only with foods that are suitable for these animals. 

This way, you will not harm your pet's health and will ensure that he or she has a better quality of life and well-being.

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