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Animal House: People Food No-nos

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Flickr via Creative Commons

Does your dog hound you for hot dogs? Does your cat crave milk? You put a lot of thought into the pet foods you buy your furry friends, and you should be just as careful about the people food you share with them.  Dr. Matt Fraker from the Prairie Oak Veterinary Center said there's some people food that should definitely be off-the-menu when it comes to your pets.

  • Chocolate is a no-no, especially dark chocolate.  The cocoa content is toxic to pets.  If your animal eats some, make a note of what type of chocolate, how much and how much your animal weighs.  That information will help your vet diagnose what to do for your pet.
  • Xylitol is a sugar replacement that is deadly to animals.   You can find it in sugar free gums, and also natural peanut butters.
  • Dairy products can lead to gastrointestinal issues.  Milk is hard for cats to digest.  A little cheese or yogurt is okay, but don't overdo it.
  • Yeast is very attractive to pets, but if consumed it can ferment and expand, leading to bloat, which can turn into a surgical emergency.
  • Macadamia nuts and walnuts are toxic to dogs.  
  • Grapes can cause kidney failure.  And raisins, too. The dog will need to be hydrated to avoid kidney problems.
  • Lean sources of meat are okay.  Avoid hot dogs and sausages.  High fat meats can lead to pancreatitis. 
  • Always contact your vet if your pet consumes food that can prove toxic.
Reporter, content producer and former All Things Considered host, Laura Kennedy is a native of the Midwest who occasionally affects an English accent just for the heck of it. Related to two U.S. presidents, Kennedy appalled her family by going into show business.