Unsafe food and plants for pets

Plants are a common feature in many homes, bringing life and colour to indoor spaces. Not all plants and foods are safe for pets, and some can be highly toxic.

Toxic plants and foods can cause a range of health issues in cats and dogs, from mild irritation to severe illness or even death. It's important to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to protect our furry friends.

Read about poisonous plants and poisonous foods.

Although it is not a comprehensive list, here are some of the most common toxic plants and foods found in homes and the potential effects on cats and dogs:

Poisonous plants

• Aloe vera: While aloe vera is known for its medicinal properties, it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and other digestive issues in cats and dogs.
• Azaleas: A popular garden plant, but they are toxic to pets. Ingesting the leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and even death in cats and dogs.
• Lilies: Lilies are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure, which can be fatal. Even ingesting a small amount of lily pollen or leaves can be dangerous.
• Philodendrons: Philodendrons are a common houseplant and are popular due to their ease of care. However, they can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and other digestive issues in cats and dogs.
• Poinsettias: Poinsettias are often associated with the holiday season, but they can be toxic to pets. Ingesting poinsettia leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in cats and dogs.
• Sago palm: The sago palm is a popular houseplant, but it is highly toxic to pets. Ingesting any part of the plant can cause liver failure and death in cats and dogs.
• Snake plant: Also known as 'mother-in-law's tongue,' the snake plant is toxic to cats and dogs. Ingesting the leaves can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

These are just a few examples of toxic plants that can be found in the home. Other common toxic plants include dieffenbachia, peace lilies, and English ivy.

If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, it's important to seek veterinary care immediately. Some symptoms of plant toxicity can take several hours to appear and delaying treatment can be dangerous or even fatal for your pet.

Poisonous foods

Do you know that there are some foods that can be very dangerous for dogs? You may think that sharing some of your food with your furry friend is harmless, but some human foods can actually be poisonous for dogs.

• Avocado: Contains persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs.
• Caffeine: Can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors in dogs.
• Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and even death in dogs.
• Citrus fruits: The oils and compounds in citrus fruits can cause irritation and even central nervous system depression in dogs.
• Cooked bones: Can splinter and cause blockages or tears in a dog's digestive system.
• Corn on the cob: The cob can cause blockages in a dog's digestive system, potentially requiring surgery to remove.
• Fatty foods (eg., bacon, cheese): Can cause pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas.
• Grapes, raisins and sultanas: Even a small amount can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Mushrooms: Some species of mushrooms can cause liver and kidney failure in dogs.
• Nuts: Some nuts, like macadamia nuts, can cause vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs.
• Onions, garlic, leeks, spring onions, shallots and chives: Cooked or uncooked, all parts of these foods contain compounds that can damage a dog's red blood cells, leading to anaemia and death.
• Raw dough: Raw yeast dough can expand in a dog's stomach, causing bloating and potential rupturing of the stomach.
• Xylitol (sweetener): Can cause insulin release, leading to hypoglycaemia, seizures, and even liver failure in dogs.

Remember, just because a food is safe for humans doesn't mean it's safe for dogs. Always check with your vet before giving your dog any new food, and stick to dog-specific treats and food to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

Tips to protect pets from toxic plants

Avoid having plants that are toxic to pets is key to keeping them safe. Here are some steps you can take to protect your furry friends:

• Research plants before bringing them into your home to ensure they are safe for pets.
• Keep toxic plants out of reach of pets, either by placing them on high shelves or in rooms that are off-limits to pets.
• Train your pets not to chew or eat plants and discourage them from playing with them.
• Use deterrents such as bitter sprays or motion-activated alarms to keep pets away from plants.

It's important to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to protect our furry friends. By doing so, we can ensure that our pets remain safe, healthy and happy in our homes.