10 common food items that are toxic for pet cats and dogs
News Desk | Mar 25, 2025, 14:42 IST
Many common human foods can be dangerous for pets. Chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, and xylitol can cause severe health issues. Caffeine, alcohol, raw dough, and macadamia nuts are also toxic. Dairy products and raw meat may lead to digestive problems or bacterial infections. Keeping these foods away ensures the safety and well-being of your cats and dogs.
Many pet lovers often feed them human foods like biscuits and cakes, however, they end up doing more harm than good to their pets. How, one may wonder? Well, not many people know that, a lot of food items that are commonly consumed by humans are often toxic for cats and dogs. So much so that it can even be fatal for your furry friends.
To help you feed your pet cats and dogs the right food, here are 10 common food items that are toxic for them and should be avoided at all cost:
1. Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine which are toxic to cats and dogs. If consumed by them, it can cause vomiting, seizures, and even death in pets.
2. Onions and garlic
Onions and garlic are often used in many food items. However, in cats and dogs it can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia and even organ failure if consumed in a lot of quantity or for a long time.
3. Grapes and raisins
Did you know that grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and cats? It can cause kidney failure in them even if had in small amounts, and hence should not be given to pets.
4. Xylitol
Xylitol is a chemical that is found in artificial sweeteners and sugar-free products. If consumed, it can cause rapid insulin release, leading to hypoglycemia and liver damage in cats and animals. And so, should never be given to them.
5. Alcohol
Even small amounts alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even severe nervous system issues in pets.
6. Caffeine
Caffeine is commonly found in coffee, tea, energy drinks. If consumed by cats and dogs, it can affect their heart and nervous system, leading to restlessness, tremors. In some cases it can even lead to their death.
7. Raw dough
Raw dough, especially those which are yeast-based, expands in the stomach. This causes bloating and can even lead to life-threatening digestive issues in pets.
8. Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to cats and dogs. If eaten by them, it can lead to vomiting, muscle tremors, weakness, and even hyperthermia.
9. Dairy products
Many pet cats and dogs are lactose intolerant. And so, consuming milk and milk products like cheese or ice cream can cause digestive issues in them.
10. Raw meat, eggs and bones
While cats and dogs need meat, eggs and bones for protein in their diet, one should note that it shouldn't be given raw to them. Raw meat, eggs and bones can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, thus posing health risks for pets and humans.
To help you feed your pet cats and dogs the right food, here are 10 common food items that are toxic for them and should be avoided at all cost:
1. Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine which are toxic to cats and dogs. If consumed by them, it can cause vomiting, seizures, and even death in pets.
common food items that are toxic for pet cats and dogs
2. Onions and garlic
Onions and garlic are often used in many food items. However, in cats and dogs it can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia and even organ failure if consumed in a lot of quantity or for a long time.
3. Grapes and raisins
Did you know that grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and cats? It can cause kidney failure in them even if had in small amounts, and hence should not be given to pets.
4. Xylitol
Xylitol is a chemical that is found in artificial sweeteners and sugar-free products. If consumed, it can cause rapid insulin release, leading to hypoglycemia and liver damage in cats and animals. And so, should never be given to them.
5. Alcohol
Even small amounts alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even severe nervous system issues in pets.
common food items that are toxic for pet cats and dogs
6. Caffeine
Caffeine is commonly found in coffee, tea, energy drinks. If consumed by cats and dogs, it can affect their heart and nervous system, leading to restlessness, tremors. In some cases it can even lead to their death.
7. Raw dough
Raw dough, especially those which are yeast-based, expands in the stomach. This causes bloating and can even lead to life-threatening digestive issues in pets.
8. Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to cats and dogs. If eaten by them, it can lead to vomiting, muscle tremors, weakness, and even hyperthermia.
9. Dairy products
Many pet cats and dogs are lactose intolerant. And so, consuming milk and milk products like cheese or ice cream can cause digestive issues in them.
10. Raw meat, eggs and bones
While cats and dogs need meat, eggs and bones for protein in their diet, one should note that it shouldn't be given raw to them. Raw meat, eggs and bones can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, thus posing health risks for pets and humans.
