WHAT TO AVOID

INAPPROPRIATE NUTRITION

WHAT TO AVOID:

• KIBBLE: it is processed (not fresh), heated to very high temperatures (denatures proteins and decreases nutrient value), moisture has been removed (not species-appropriate), and the excrusion process used is not healthy (creates two cancer-causing substances). There are no digestive enzymes in kibble so this causes GI issues. Probiotics (good bacteria) aren’t present due to the processing. Chicken meal is often found in kibble and is muscle meat that has been cooked for a very long time at very high temperatures. The heat kills Omega 3 fatty acids.
  Kibble is extruded, creating substantial amounts of acrylamides and other AGEs that are toxic to the body. Cats and dogs digest kibble as if it is a starch rather than a protein. Do not add water to dry kibble as most have bacteria and mold - the water will make them flourish.

• LOW QUALITY FOOD: this kind of pet food is the root cause of the inflammatory processes and degenerative diseases of dogs and cats. They are low in moisture, low to moderate amounts of poor quality protein and fat, and high in starches or carbohydrates. Obviously stay away from foods with fillers, preservatives and meat by-products or meal.

• PESTICIDES and FUNGICIDES and FACTORY-FARMED MEAT: look for organic veggies and meat that has been pasture-raised or humanely raised.

• TAP WATER THAT’S NOT SAFE: use filtered water instead.

• MILK: many adult cats are lactose intolerant.

• PORK: is not an appropriate protein for cats.

• DO NOT FEED DOGS: corn, onions, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, chocolate.

• WATCH FOR ALLERGIES TO YEAST: can show up as ear infections and skin irritations.

• RAW SALMON AND WEST COAST TROUT: always cook salmon as some carry a parasite (Nanophyetus salmincola) and the parasite carries a bacterim that can be fatal to dogs.

This downloadable pdf list is a helpful place to start:
List of Best and Worst Foods by Dr Karen Becker DVM

POISONOUS PLANTS

LILIES :: can be fatal to cats from ingesting any part of the flowers including pollen. Any and all exposure to a true lily by a cat warrants immediate veterinary care and hospitalization. The most dangerous and potentially life-threatening lily ingestions by cats involve lilies belonging to the genera Lilium (true lilies) and Hemerocallis. Examples of some of these toxic lilies include Asiatic, Easter, Japanese Show, rubrum, stargazer, red, tiger, Western, and wood lilies (Lilium species) and daylilies (Hemerocallis species).
Just 2-3 leaves, or even the pollen groomed off the fur, can result in poisoning in a cat. Kidney damage occurs within 24-72 hours of ingestion. Some lilies are not true lilies (like Peace Lily and Calla Lily) and are much less dangerous, causing upper GI irritation. If your cat is seen consuming any part of a lily, bring your cat (and the plant) immediately to a veterinarian for medical care.
[see noliliesforkitties flyer here]

LILIACEA FAMILY :: contain alkaloids that should be avoided. The Amaryllis is a part of the large Liliacea family but does not have the same toxic principles as the more common “true” lilies (e.g., Easter, Asiatic, Day, Japanese show, etc.). The plant contains similar toxins to the flowers in the Narcissus group or the Belladonna Amaryllis (the only true Amaryllis). The leaves, stems and bulbs contain phenanthridine alkaloids which can cause vomiting, hypotension (drop in blood pressure) and respiratory depression. Excess salivation and abdominal discomfort can be seen from the raphide oxalate crystals, which are more concentrated in the bulbs.
Autumn Crocus is not a true ‘crocus’ at all but species or hybrids of Colchicum, a group of fall-flowering bulb in the lily family (Lilaceae).

OLEANDER :: any part can be toxic to dogs, cats and horses. It contains cardiac glycosides. Oleander is an popular evergreen outdoor shrub. The leaves and flowers are extremely toxic if ingested and can cause severe vomiting, slow the heart rate and possibly even cause death.

CYCLAMEN :: The roots of this seasonal flowering plant are especially dangerous to pets. If ingested, cyclamen can cause severe vomiting and even death.

FOXGLOVE :: toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to the cardiac glycosides.

LARKSPUR :: The flowers contains diterpene alkaloids and are toxic to cats, dogs, horses and cattle. It is also poisonous to humans.

DIEFFENBACHIA :: This houseplant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals similar to other plants in the Araceae family. Chewing or biting into this plant will release these crystals causing tissue penetration and irritation the mouth and GI tract. VERY rarely, swelling of the upper airway occurs making it difficult to breathe. 

BEGONIA :: If your animal has ingested begonia you should take them to the vet to be assessed.

POINSETTIA :: are a toxic plant but not as scary as their reputation. These can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The milky sap is irritating but often these signs will resolve on their own for dogs and cats both.

YEW TREE :: All parts of the plant can be extremely toxic except the berry. The berry is expected to only cause GI upset. Dogs chewing on sticks during yard clean up is a common type of exposure. This plant has the potential to cause severe heart and neurologic signs.

BLACK LOCUST TREE ::

UNKNOWN MUSHROOMS

One of the most dangerous is the Amanita phalloides or death cap mushroom which is found throughout the United States. It is deadly to animals as well as humans. Found throughout Northern California and many other locations, it can be potentially fatal to animals with ingestion of only a small amount. One of the most poisonous of all known mushrooms, its toxins cause acute liver failure and can also damage other organs such as the kidneys and the intestinal tract. If ingested, every minute counts. Get your animal to the vet immediately.

A large, handsome mushroom, the death cap is often very abundant under oaks in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially in warm, wet years. It is also becoming increasingly abundant in other areas of California where oaks are common. Because of its toxicity, it should be one of the first mushrooms learned. Fortunately, Amanita phalloides is distinctive and with experience, easily identified. Important field characters are the smooth, yellowish-green to yellowish-brown cap, sometimes with a thin, appressed white universal veil patch, usually non-striate cap margin, free, cream-colored gills, normally solid, not hollow stipe, pendulous annulus, and thin, white, membranous, sac-like volva. The Death Cap is found widely in coastal areas as well as inland at low elevations. A rare, white form of this mushroom, var. alba resembling the Death Angel of the Eastern U.S (Amanita bisporigera), also occurs in the California. Another lethal Amanita found locally is Amanita ocreata. Cream-colored, and similar in appearance to the Death Cap, it fruits under coast liveoak (Quercus agrifolia) during the spring.

The proper identification of mushrooms is extremely difficult and often only done by experts. Therefore, it is wise to consider any ingestion of unidentified mushrooms as toxic until proven otherwise.

LIST FROM PET POISON HELPLINE:

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com
24/7 PET POISON HELP LINE: 855-764-7661

CATS NEED TO AVOID

LILIES :: causes death from severe acute kidney failure
ONIONS AND GARLIC :: can cause anemia
FLEA AND TICK PRODUCTS that are made for dogs can kill a cat.
LOW QUALITY ESSENTIAL OILS
HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS
MOUSE AND RAT POISONS
HUMAN MEDICATIONS: NSAID pharmaceuticals are more dangerous to cats than dogs
HUMAN SUPPLEMENTS: such as vitamin D

DOGS NEED TO AVOID

CHOCOLATE :: large amounts of cacao can cause tremors, increased heart rate and hyperactivity
GRAPES / RAISINS :: Vitis vinifera fruits, including grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants can cause organ toxicity (kidney failure) from mycotoxins
CORN
PITS AND SEEDS OF FRUIT :: contain toxins like cyanide
ONIONS :: can cause anemia
MACADAMIA NUTS
RAW SALMON AND WEST COAST TROUT :: always cook them as some carry a parasite (Nanophyetus salmincola) and the parasite carries a bacterim that can be fatal to dogs.
HUMAN MEDICATIONS: such as Acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory, stimulants, anti-depressants
HUMAN SUPPLEMENTS: such as vitamin D
MOUSE AND RAT POISONS
XYLITOL :: in sugar-free gum & more
FERTILIZERS

BEWARE OF TOXINS

HOME TOXINS :: mold, radiation, EMFs, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, flame retardants, heavy metals etc
FOOD + WATER :: glyphosate residues, toxic preservatives, synthetic hormones, antibiotic residue in animal meat and processed food, fluoride, chlorine and mycotoxins in grain-based foods.

WAYS TO HELP DETOX FROM EVERYDAY TOXINS:
Provide pure water
Provide the highest quality fresh food you can afford.
Good exercise helps stimulate the removal of toxins.
Minimize exposure to outdoor chemicals and pollutants (such as on grass).
Brush and bathe regularly.
Use an indoor air purifier. Limit household chemicals and sprays.
Keep vaccines and flea/tick and heartworm pesticides to a minimum.
Keep drugs such as antibiotics, dewormers, steroids to a minimum.

INSTRUCTIONS IF YOUR PET HAS BEEN POISONED:

Keep in mind that the prognosis is always better when a toxicity is reported immediately, so don’t wait to see if your pet becomes symptomatic before calling for help. It’s always less expensive, and safer for your pet for you to call immediately. Remember that there’s a narrow window of time when we can decontaminate (induce vomiting or pump the stomach) in the case of a poisoning.

1. Immediately remove your pet from the area, and make sure no other pets (or kids!) are exposed to this area. Safely remove any remaining poisonous material from their reach.

2. Check to make sure your pet is breathing normally and acting fine otherwise.

3. Collect a sample of the material, along with the packaging, vial, or container, and save it – you will need all that information when you talk to your veterinarian or to a Pet Poison Helpline expert.

4. DO NOT give your dog any milk, food, salt, oil, or any other home remedies! Also, never inducing vomiting without talking to your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline – it may actually be detrimental or contraindicated to induce vomiting!

5. DO NOT give hydrogen peroxide to your pet without checking with a vet or with Pet Poison Helpline first. For you cat lovers, hydrogen peroxide doesn’t work well to induce vomiting (it just causes massive foaming and salivating instead!), and stronger veterinary prescription medications are necessary to get your cat to vomit up the poison Kitty ingested!

6. Get help. Program your veterinarian phone number, along with an ER vet and Pet Poison Helpline’s phone number (855-764-7661) in your cell phone so you will always have immediate access to help.