Foods, Plants, and Household Items for Your Dog or Cat to Avoid
At Greenpaws Chicago, we strive to provide the best care for your furry friend. This not only means dog sitting, pet sitting, and overnight pet sitting services, but also providing expert tips and best practices for your pet.
As such, our team has compiled a list of food, beverage, plant, and household items to avoid for both your cat and dog:
Kitchen Foods:
- Alcohol
- Avocado
- Chives
- Chocolate
- Coconut water
- Coffee/coffee grounds
- Fatty foods
- Fruit pits
- Garlic
- Grapes/raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions
- Salt/salty snacks
- Tea
- Yeast-based dough
- Any products containing xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
Bathroom Items:
- Acetaminophen
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Blood pressure medications
- Certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
- Cold medicines
- Iron supplements
- Skin products containing fluorouracil
- Sleep aids
- Vitamins
- Weight-loss supplements
Home Goods:
- Liquid potpourri products
- Essential oils
- Mothballs
- Nicotine products
- Small items that fall on the floor such as coins, buttons, batteries, small children’s toys, medicine bottles, jewelry, nails, and screws. The result may impact the digestive tract of your pet.
- Plugged-in electrical cords
- Non-pet-specific CBD, cannabis, and marijuana products
Plants:
- Certain lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are highly toxic and possibly deadly to cats
- Lily of the valley, oleander, yew, foxglove, and kalanchoe have been shown to cause heart problems.
- Sago palms (Cycas species) can cause severe intestinal problems, seizures, and liver damage. Specifically, the nut or seed portion of the plant is highly poisonous.
- Azaleas, rhododendrons, and tulip/narcissus bulbs can cause a myriad of health issues, including but not limited to: intestinal issues, physical weakness, depression, heart problems, coma, and, in some cases, death.
- Castor bean can cause many health issues for your furry friend, such as severe intestinal problems, seizures, coma, and death.
- Cyclamen, amaryllis, chrysanthemums, pothos, English ivy, philodendron, corn plant, mother-in-law’s tongue, hibiscus, hydrangea, peace lily, and schefflera can also cause intestinal issues.
- Rhubarb leaves and shamrock can cause kidney failure.
- Some fungi (e.g., mushrooms) can cause liver, kidney, intestinal or nervous system damage, and, in some cases, death.
- Cocoa shell mulch, which dogs love to eat, may cause signs similar to chocolate poisoning, including but not limited to vomiting, diarrhea, physical tremors, and, in severe cases, seizures.
- Holiday-centric plants such as poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe can in some cases cause an upset stomach, or even more severe issues.
- Christmas tree (e.g., spruce, fir, and/or pine) water may contain fertilizer and other preservatives that can cause an upset stomach or other digestive issues.
- Aloe Vera, Eucalyptus, Oleander, Diffenbachia (Dumb cane), Japenesse Yews, Autumn Crocus, Geraniums, Primrose, and Bluebells are toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizure, drooling, lethargy, trembling, and increased or reduced heart rate.
- Hyacinths, Kalanchoe, Oleander, Spanish Thyme, Dieffenbachia, and Devil’s Ivy are poisonous to cats and may cause vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, drooling, nausea, and weakness.
