No matter how much our pets beg to eat human foods, it’s important to be conscious of what is given to them. Cats and dogs should not be given human food carelessly because it could contribute to obesity, food allergies, or pet toxicity which may cause symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, drooling, and even death. Here are the most harmful foods that you should never feed to pets:

1. Onions and garlic

Onions have a chemical known as N-propyl disulfide, which destroys the red blood cells in dogs and cats. The condition of having low red blood cells is known as anemia, but pets have a more specific type called Heinz body anemia. Garlic also has a similar chemical in them like onion but in lower amounts. An upset stomach and brown or red urine are important symptoms to look out for.

2. Raw eggs, raw meat, and bones

Raw eggs and meat sound like they would be okay for dogs and cats to consume, but not exactly. Pet owners should be aware that there are many bacteria and parasites living in raw meat. These types of foods can infect the dogs and cats with antibiotic-resistant bacteria making it harder to fight off infection. Pet owners should be aware that eggs may contain small amounts of salmonella. Also, feeding bones to an animal can cause internal damage if it is not finely ground. Pet owners should also be careful when handling raw eggs and meat for themselves, just in case their furry friend tries to sneak a bite.

3. Chocolate

Chocolate is poisonous to both cats and dogs. Chocolate has an alkaloid called theobromine, which has almost the same effects as caffeine. Humans can digest theobromine easily, but pets cannot. When household pets consume chocolate, it becomes poisonous to them because it builds up in their system. They digest it slowly depending on their size. If the amount of chocolate the pet eats is tiny, they may only experience an upset stomach. If the amount is large, the pet owner should call their veterinarian as soon as possible.

4. Caffeine

Caffeine can cause clinical toxicity to cats and dogs within 30 minutes if consumed. Some important symptoms of pet toxicity to look out for are hyperactivity, restlessness, and agitation. Most pets accidentally consume caffeine from spilled medications, coffee beans, and tea bags left out from the owner.

5. Grapes and raisins

Small amounts of grapes and raisins can be toxic to pets. These fruits can cause kidney damage leading to sudden kidney failure, or acute kidney failure. Another detrimental effect of grapes is that it can cause a lack of urine production known as anuria.