7 Types Of Food That Should Not Be Given To Pets

Illustration of inedible foods for cats and dogs (Unsplash/Anna Tello)

YOGYAKARTA – If you have pets at home, it is necessary to limit the type of home-cooked food for them. Because the digestive system and body mechanisms of animals are different from humans. Quoting the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals, Wednesday, June 15, some human foods can be toxic to animals. These foods include the following.

1. Avocado

Avocados contain good fats and protein for humans. But to birds, rabbits, donkeys, sheep, goats, and horses, this buttery fruit is dangerous. If given to horses and donkeys, it can cause swelling of the head and neck. The biggest concern about giving this food to pets at home is that it can damage the cardiovascular system. Even in rabbits and birds can cause death.

2. Chocolate, coffee and caffeine

Cocoa beans contain methylxanthines. When ingested by pets, these ingredients can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythms, to seizures and death. This includes giving coffee or caffeinated drinks. This means avoid giving these three foods to anabul, such as cats and dogs.

Illustration of foods that cats and dogs should not eat (Unsplash/Ricardo L)

3. Orange

Every part of the citrus tree, including the leaf stems, skin, fruit, and seeds, contains varying amounts of citric acid. Avoid giving it to pets at home as it can cause irritation and possibly central nervous system depression. If accidentally swallowed in small doses, it may cause minor stomach problems.

4. Coconut and coconut water

When ingested in small amounts, coconut and coconut oil based products can cause serious injury to your pet. Coconut, especially the water, is high in potassium. This should not be given to your pets as it can cause them to have stomach upset and diarrhea.

5. Grapes and raisins

It's not known exactly what substances make grapes and raisins toxic to pets. But the effect if giving both fresh grapes and preserved grapes into raisins, can cause kidney failure in dogs.

6. Macadamia nuts

When snacking at home and the anabul approaches, avoid giving them a snack right away. Especially macadamia nuts which can cause tremors, hyperthermia, weakness, and vomiting in dogs. Symptoms usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion. The pain can last about 24 to 28 hours.

7. Milk

The cat's digestive system doesn't have enough lactase so it can't break down lactose in milk. Dairy-based products also need to be avoided to be given to cats because they can trigger digestive disorders.

In addition to the seven foods above, avoid also giving beans, onions, garlic, onions, and raw meat and bones. All these foods are not good for the digestive system. Instead of giving love by sharing food with pets, it's better to give snacks that are specially formulated for pets such as cats or dogs.