Everyday people foods and common backyard plants can be toxic to your family pet. Watch out for these potentially deadly items at holidays and year-round.
Potentially Poisonous Foods
Certain foods can be potentially poisonous to pets, and while the risks are present year-round, they are especially high around holidays. Do you have leftover Easter basket candy? Halloween treats still hanging around? Thanksgiving and Christmas goodies left over from holiday celebrations? Keep these foods away from your beloved cats and dogs:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Apple seeds
- Apricot pits
- Avocados – toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats
- Cherry pits
- Candy (particularly chocolate, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets, and any candy containing the sweetener Xylitol)
- Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
- Grapes
- Hops (used in home beer brewing)
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy foods
- Mushroom plants
- Mustard seeds
- Onions and onion powder
- Peach pits
- Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
- Raisins
- Rhubarb leaves
- Salt
- Tea (caffeine)
- Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
- Walnuts
- Yeast dough
Potentially Poisonous Plants
Many varieties of plants can cause illness and possible death of your dog or cat. Exercise caution when bringing plants into the house. In addition, supervise pets when they are outside so that they do not ingest any plants or seeds that may cause harm. Keep animals away from these types of foliage, commonly found in Florida. Seek immediate medical attention for your pet if you suspect he or she has bitten, licked or eaten any part of these plants, including plant’s seeds or roots.
