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Journalism of Courage
So you give into those imploring eyes and let your dog bite into a pizza. Don8217;t. Food meant for you can make your pet ill and shorten its life span. Here8217;s a list of foods that you shoudn8217;t be feeding your cat or dog:nbsp;
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that increases the breathing and heart rate of animals and thus causes irregular heartbeats and restlessness. The degree of damage done depends on the size of the animal and the amount of chocolate consumed. If taken in small quantities, chocolate can cause diarrhoea and severe vomiting. 8220;The caffeine found in chocolate directly attacks the central nervous system. If given in large quantities, chocolate can even cause coma or death of the animal,8221; says vet Naveen Kumar. Rush to the doctor if your pet is poisoned.nbsp;
Grapes or raisins are bad for your pet. While the harmful ingredient in the fruit is still unknown, it is the most toxic food your pet can have. Even a small amount can damage kidneys. 8220;Grapes must be avoided even in small doses as they may lead to lack of appetite, lethargy and abdominal pain, along with vomiting and diarrhoea,8221; says Dr Kumar. nbsp;
Garlic/onions
There is not a single part of garlic and onions that is suitable to be fed to your pet. Right from the bulbs to the stems to the flowers, everything is toxic for cats and dogs. However, cats are found to be more sensitive to garlic and onions than dogs. Garlic and onions contain sulfoxides and disulfides that can damage red blood cells and lead to anaemia. 8220;Some people feed their pets baby food that contains onion powder. This can prove to be extremely harmful in the long run and should be avoided under all circumstances,8221; says Dr S.K. Choudhary. Home-cooked food meant for humans should also not be fed to the pet. Garlic and onions can lead to liver damage, allergic reactions and asthma attacks in your pet. However, some varieties of dog food contain a small amount of garlic and that has not been proven harmful. nbsp;
Mushrooms
Different types of toxins are found in mushrooms. 8220;Some types of mushrooms can cause liver, kidney and heart damage that will ultimately lead to death. The problem is that you can8217;t know which mushroom causes what. So it is advisable to avoid mushrooms completely,8221; says Dr Kumar. Since mushrooms also grow wild in many areas, keep a watch over your pet when it goes out. If your pet ends up eating it, induce vomiting and visit the doctor immediately.nbsp;
Raw eggs
Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. 8220;Most people feed their dogs raw eggs in milk. Even though it isn8217;t as harmful as other toxins, it should be avoided as it can lead to skin and coat problems,8221; advises Dr Choudhary.nbsp;
Milk and milk products
While milk is part of most pets8217; diets, sometimes, dogs and even cats do not have sufficient amounts of lactase, an enzyme that breaks down the lactose in milk, in their bodies. 8220;This may lead to diarrhoea in the pet. Therefore, only lactose-free milk products should be fed,8221; says Dr Choudhary.
