Animals metabolize things differently than humans do.  There are many common human foods and ingredients that can be toxic and possibly deadly, to pets.  A list of the most common foods to avoid feeding your pets are listed below.  Always review ingredient panels before giving human food to your furry kids.  Remember certain health conditions also require unique diets so confirm with your veterinarian anytime you are unsure about giving human foods to your pets.

Many pet parents like to cook for their pets – and we strongly encourage that!  Fresh ingredients and limited commercial processing are good habits for all of us.  Be sure any home cooked recipes avoid the foods  / ingredients listed below.   Consult with your vet or an Animal Nutritionist for any specifics related to you pets best health.

• Alcoholic beverages
• Artificial sweeteners (xylitol is extremely toxic to pets – even deadly – and can be called many different things)
• Apple seeds
• Apricot pits
• Avocados (only mildly toxic to dogs and cats, but can be severely toxic, even deadly, to birds, rabbits, horses, and ruminants such as cattle, goats, and sheep)
• Cherry pits
• Candy (particularly chocolate—which is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets—and any candy containing the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
• Chocolate
• Chives
• Coffee (grounds, beans, and chocolate-covered espresso beans)
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Gum (can cause blockages and sugar-free gums may contain the toxic sweetener Xylitol)
• Hops (used in home beer brewing)
• Macadamia nuts
• Moldy foods
• Mushroom plants
• Mustard seeds
• Onions, onion powder and onion flakes
• Peach pits
• Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
• Raisins
• Rhubarb leaves
• Salt
• Tea (because it contains caffeine)
• Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
• Walnuts
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener that is toxic to pets – can be listed as other names so always avoid anything with artificial sweeteners)
• Yeast dough

This is not an exhaustive list; any decision to provide your pet with food not specifically intended for animals should be discussed with your pet’s veterinarian or a board certified veterinary nutritionist.