Central Veterinary Associates reminds pet owners of the dangers that party foods pose to their pets
With New England and Atlanta set to hit the gridiron in Houston during the big game this weekend, Central Veterinary Associates (CVA) aims to raise awareness of the potential dangers that your favorite game day foods and beverages can pose to your pet.
- Alcohol — Plain and simple, alcohol is a toxin and even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, coma or death in pets.
- Chips & Dip — Most dips contain onions and garlic, which destroy pets’ red blood cells and can result in anemia. Salty foods, such as potato chips, can cause excessive thirst, urination and sodium poisoning.
- Guacamole — Avocado contains persin, a substance that can prove fatal to birds. For dogs and cats, it’s unclear how toxic it is, but it is recommended that avocados or anything made from them not be fed to your pets. The pit also causes concern for dogs, as it can lead to an intestinal obstruction or may even become lodged in their throats.
- Ice Cream — Everyone loves ice cream, including—unfortunately—pets. Dairy products can upset their digestive tracts and cause stomach distress and diarrhea.
- Nuts — Besides being a choking hazard, certain nuts, like macadamias, can poison your pets. As few as six macadamia nuts can cause your pet to experience muscle tremors, weakness, vomiting, fever and an elevated heart rate. Eating chocolate with nuts can exacerbate these symptoms.
- Chocolate — Chocolate contains dairy (see “ice cream” above) and a chemical called theobromine, which can be fatal to pets.
- Fat Trimmings — Fat trimmed from meats, like barbecued ribs, can cause pancreatitis in dogs.
- Chicken Wings — While you might think it is second nature to give a dog a bone (or chicken wing, as the case may be), bones can cause obstructions in pets’ digestive tracts and also lead to choking. They can also break off and puncture the animal’s stomach lining.
- Caffeinated Beverages — Sugary sodas are a staple at any party, but not for your animals. The caffeine in soda or iced tea and coffee or tea can be toxic to pets and lead to abnormal heart rhythms, seizures and death.
“As pet owners and their guests are busy watching the game, they often forget to check on the status of their pets,” says Dr. John Charos, president and CEO of Central Veterinary Associates. “All visitors, young and old, should be aware of the dangers that certain food and drinks could have on any animal. We strongly advise that party hosts ask guests not to feed or sneak food to household pets of any kind. If you notice that your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have, or is acting sick, bring him to your veterinarian as soon as possible.”
CVA keeps its hospital in Valley Stream open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, even on game day. For more information or to make an appointment, call (888) 4CVA-PET (428-2738) or visit www.centralvets.com.
