----- Original Message ----
From: Miro <
h01...@yahoo.com>
To: Flatcoats <
flat...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 6:56:26 PM
Subject: [Flatcoats] Common Foods Harmful to Pets
Common
Foods
Harmful
to
Pets
As
responsible
pet
owners
we
must
be
diligent
about
protecting
our
pets
from
harm.
Besides
taking
care
of
their
basic
safety
needs
and
seeing
that
they
get
regular
veterinary
care,
this
should
also
include
closely
monitoring
the
foods
they
eat.
This
is
especially
true
if
you
are
feeding
your
dog
or
cat
any
type
of
human
food.
Some
people
have
always
given
their
pets
human
food
as
a
treat
in
addition
to
their
own
dog
or
cat
chow.
However,
in
light
of
the
recent
pet
food
recalls
throughout
the
United
States
and
some
other
regions,
many
pet
parents
are
opting
to
make
their
own,
completely
forgoing
commercially
made
pet
foods.
While
this
may
offer
peace
of
mind
for
some,
it
may
not
be
safe
without
knowing
what
foods
you
can
and
can't
give
to
your
pet,
as
well
as
learning
their
exact
nutritional
needs.
Before
you
head
to
the
cupboard
or
pantry
to
prepare
your
pet's
next
meal,
make
it
a
point
to
learn
what
foods
and
products
may
actually
do
your
dog
or
cat
more
harm
than
good.
Common
foods
that
are
harmful
to
pets
include:
*
Chocolate
*
Coffee,
caffeine
*
Alcohol
*
Xylitol
*
Grapes
*
Raisins
*
Avocados
*
Macadamia
nuts
*
Onions
*
Garlic
*
Chives
*
Milk
*
Raw
or
undercooked
meat
*
Raw
eggs
*
Bones
*
Yeast
dough
Many
people
may
be
surprised
to
see
milk
on
the
list
of
foods
that
can
be
harmful
to
our
pets.
Although
they
may
like
the
taste,
cats
and
dogs,
unlike
most
humans,
do
not
have
enough
lactase,
which
is
the
enzyme
needed
to
break
down
the
lactose
in
milk.
Milk,
as
well
as
other
milk-based
dairy
products,
may
cause
digestive
difficulties
in
pets,
particularly
dogs.
Diarrhea,
upset
stomach,
and
even
vomiting
can
occur,
especially
in
younger
pets,
after
drinking
milk.
Xylitol,
an
artificial
sweetener
commonly
used
in
products
labeled
"sugar-free,"
is
extremely
harmful
to
animals,
especially
dogs,
although
perfectly
safe
for
human
consumption.
Xylitol,
which
causes
an
excess
of
insulin
production
in
most
types
of
animals
possibly
leading
to
liver
failure,
can
be
found
in
snacks
such
as
baked
goods,
candy,
gum,
and
even
in
certain
toothpastes.
Warning
signs
of
xylitol
poisoning
include:
*
Vomiting
*
Lethargy
*
Loss
of
muscle
coordination
*
Seizures
If
you
think
that
your
dog
or
cat
may
have
eaten
something
toxic,
immediately
contact
your
veterinarian
or
your
local
poison
control
center
without
delay.
Pet
Health
Care
Tips
http://pethealthcaretips.blogspot.com/
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