10 Healthy Human Foods Risky for Pets

10 Healthy Human Foods Risky for Pets

Posted by Dan Hinds on 12th September 2016

Living a healthy, balanced lifestyle should be a priority for everyone, which includes eating the right foods and exercising your dogs
regularly. The first and easiest step of this is making sure to eat
the right foods. However, it’s important to know that some of these
foods can be toxic for family pets! We’ve collected some of the
healthiest food options out there for you and explain why you need keep
them safe in the kitchen and away from pets.

1. Chocolate: The Power of the Cocoa Bean


For People:


Chocolate is one of the most loved treats in human history. It has a
positive effect on the circulatory system, helps improve brain
stimulation, digestion and mood while helping prevent colds! Even
though chocolate is very high in energy and sugars, which can lead
towards potential obesity without exercise, it can be very good for
helping promote everyday health when eaten in moderation. This means a
chocolate bar once a week as a reward, not a regular lunch time snack.

For Pets:

Chocolate is very dangerous for dogs to consume, even in small amounts.
Dark chocolate is the scariest because it has the most toxic elements
of any chocolate for pets. It should never be offered as a treat and
you should be especially cautious during holiday seasons: Easter,
Halloween and Christmas are the most dangerous. Exercise good judgment
and keep the chocolate out of reach.


2 & 3. Grapes and Raisins: The Fruit of the Gods


For People:


Grapes and raisins are great sources of natural energy, vitamins,
electrolytes and minerals, as well as antioxidants, fiber and other
phytonutrients. These include folic acid, lutein, calcium, iron,
fluoride, potassium, zinc, magnesium, copper, manganese and resatrol,
which is an anti-inflammatory, cholesterol reducer and anti-cancer agent
all-star. These are also shown in wine, to a lesser degree.

For Pets:

Grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs for unknown reasons but it is
widely thought that it is the result of some component in the skin of
the grape. Eating these can lead to near-immediate kidney failure and
should be avoided at all costs.


4 & 5. Onions: The Layers of Taste


For People:


Onions have sulfides that help lower blood pressure and blood lipid
levels while stopping platelet clumping or unnecessary blood clotting.
Eating onions helps the growth of good bifidobacteria, lowers the odds
of developing colon cancer and stops harmful bacteria from taking root
in our abdomens. Onions can also help prevent coughs, colds, bronchitis
and asthma while also increasing our appetites!

For Pets:

Members of the legume family like onions are potentially harmful to dogs
because even though allicin is so helpful for us, it works the opposite
way with our pets. In fact, it actively creates an anemic result on
our pups. Stay away!


6. Macadamia nuts: Putting the “Nut” in Nutrients


For People:


Macadamia nuts contain no cholesterol, are gluten-free and are packed
with dietary fiber. They are also great sources of calcium, manganese,
selenium, zinc, iron, B-complex vitamins and mono-unsaturated fats
(usually abbreviated as MUF) which help drop “bad” cholesterol levels.
This great mix of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals is excellent at
helping stay healthy.

For Pets:

These kinds of nuts are poison for dogs. It constrains their
circulatory system and under no circumstances should we ever give them
Macadamia nuts. Use extreme caution!


7 & 8. Plums and Peaches: Overloaded Value Fruits


For People:


Plums are very high in Vitamins A, C and K, as well as fiber, potassium
and tryptophan (not to mention numerous antioxidants!). That makes
plums a great fruit for keeping healthy, working overtime by giving
protection from potentially dangerous phenols, iron overload and muscle
degeneration. They’re also delicious!

Peaches are simply a super food. They are great sources of vitamins
and minerals (A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K, Niacin, pantothenic acid,
potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, sulfur and
zinc) that are mostly contained in the skin of the fruit. They are also
a natural remedy for impotence, nausea, vomiting, obesity, depression,
memory loss, infertility, immune system issues, stress, skin rashes,
inflammation, skin acne, fatigue, anxiety and many more! They’ve even
overloaded with water, making them an excellent choice for people trying
to actively lose weight.

For Pets:

The pits of plums, peaches and persimmons, as well as the seeds from
fruits like apples, contain cyanide, which is very toxic for dogs. Even
the fleshy fruit interior of these kinds of fruits comes in contact
with the pit and should not be trusted. Keep these fruity choices to
yourself!


9. Mushrooms: The Flavorful Fungi of Food


For People:


Mushrooms are jam-packed with vitamins, nutrients and minerals (B6, C,
D, niacin, thiamin, folate, pantothenic acid, dietary fiber, copper,
protein, zinc, phosphorus and selenium) while also being low in
cholesterol and saturated fats. They also raise “good” while lowering
“bad” cholesterol levels, help maintain a healthy balance of vitamins
and minerals in our bloodstream, prevent anemia, keep insulin levels
stable, increase bone density and help protect against all different
kinds of potential cancers.

For Pets:

Even the mushrooms we buy at the grocery store can be potentially
harmful to our pets. Depending on the kind of mushroom, your animal may
experience vomiting, tremors, seizures or anorexia.. The best
suggestion: play it safe and keep them away. Don’t be afraid to sweep
your backyard periodically to keep wild mushrooms at bay either.


10. Avocado: The Butter of Vegetables


For People:

Avocados are great sources of both mono and polyunsaturated fats,
which make them great choices over foods were considered to be more
“junky” that are high in saturated fats. They contain a ton of
essential vitamins and minerals (A, B6, C, E, calcium, riboflavin,
pantothenic acid, magnesium, copper, iron, thiamin, niacin, folate,
phosphorus, zinc, manganese) that can help improve our diets in a big
way!

For Pets:

Just like the pits and seeds of other fruits, the pits of avocados
are equally toxic to pets because of their cyanide content. Again, just
be careful about how accessible your fruits and vegetables are to your
pets!


Hopefully these tips can help both you and your pets stay fit, healthy and safe!

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