Keeping a pet demands a high level of responsibility and alertness. Most pet-parents are always on their toes to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their pets. However, many pet owners often give a treat to their pets purely out of love. Before you think of offering them a bite from your plate, you should ensure that these are not toxic foods for cats and dogs.

• Dairy products

Even though your cats and dogs might enjoy the taste of milk, but it is definitely not good for their health. Due to a lack of the lactase enzyme, it becomes hard for your cats and dogs to digest lactose present in dairy. This might cause diarrhea, upset stomach, and other digestive problems.

• Onions and garlic

These are some of the most common toxic foods for cats and dogs. Ingestion of any of these food items can result in severe gastrointestinal problems and damage red blood cells that can lead to anemia.

• Macadamia nuts

Healthy for humans, these nuts can pose serious health dangers for your cats and dogs. Symptoms of nut poisoning include weakness, vomiting, coordination issues, fever, and weakness in the nervous system.

• Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine

Caffeine and chocolates work as a stimulant for your cats and dogs, damaging their nervous system. Vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, hyperactivity, and abnormal walking are some of its mild to severe symptoms.

• Raw fish, meat, and egg

Raw meat, egg, fish, and bones are toxic foods for cats and dogs as these contain toxic bacteria. Symptoms may vary, but some common symptoms are vomiting, lethargy, stumbling, and diarrhea. Eating raw eggs can lead to skin itchiness and coat issues.

Grapes and raisins

Although the toxins present in raisins or grapes are unknown, both of these food items can be dangerous for your cats and dogs. If they happen to eat any of these, it might lead to severe kidney failure in pets. Some other common symptoms include upset stomach, abdominal pain, lethargy, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

• Fruits with pits

Fruits such as peaches, cherries, and plums are considered dangerous and toxic foods for cats and dogs. These fruits are known to cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and lethargy. If you have these, then you need to ensure that your pets are away from these fruits. Pits present in these fruits also contain a toxin that is as dangerous as cyanide.

Remember that unlike humans, cats and dogs are not unable to decide what is good or bad for them. Something might be tasty, but not good for their health. So, it becomes important to ensure that your pet does not end up eating any of the above mentioned toxic foods for cats and dogs. Apple, yeast, avocado, mushrooms, and artificial sugars are some of the other food items that are toxic to dogs and cats.