Most pet owners now know that chocolate can be toxic to dogs, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, abnormal heart rhythms and occasionally death but there are many other “toxic treats” lurking at home.
Over-eating fruit can be a cause of stomach upset but there are some fruits that have a more sinister side to them. Apple, apricot, cherry and peach seeds or stones contain cyanide and can have varying toxic effects on pets. Peach stones are also large enough to cause an obstruction in the small intestines requiring an operation to remove them.
Grapes, sultanas and raisins are unsuitable treats for dogs as they can cause kidney failure. Some dogs are more susceptible than others but all dogs should see the vet if they have eaten any of these items.
Be cautious when feeding “human food” to pets. Items containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be toxic to pets with even small amounts causing low blood sugar levels, resulting in sickness, weakness, fits and in some cases, liver failure. Xylitol can be found in baked goods, sweets and chewing gum.
Onions contain a substance that can be the cause of a type of anaemia where the red blood cells are destroyed. Raw or cooked onions, even in small amounts, have the potential to cause this problem and can be found in a wide variety of dishes and sauces, onion salt is often found in gravy granules.
Do not reach for nuts to reward your pets either – almonds, pistachios, walnuts, macadamias and pecans are all relatively high in fat which can cause digestive upsets but macadamias can also cause temporary loss of use of the back legs !
A different kind of toxic treat can be found in a seemingly innocent bunch of flowers as all parts of lilies are toxic to cats. A cat can brush past a lily and then groom the toxic pollen from their fur.
The most important thing to remember is not to wait for clinical signs of poisoning to develop – seek veterinary advice immediately if you think your pet has eaten something toxic - call St Boniface Vets 24hours a day, 7 days a week 01363 772860 (out of hours, you will be connected directly to a vet).