When caring for your family pet, there are a number of things to consider, from scheduling wellness visits with your veterinarian to meeting their nutritional needs. While it can be tempting to feed your companion animal table foods, there are actually several that are toxic to their wellbeing. When looking to give your pet a special treat, remember to avoid these four foods.

4 Foods That Are Bad for Your Animal

1. Chocolate

While you may like indulging in chocolate from time to time, skip treating your furry friend to anything with this ingredient. Chocolate can cause a number of health problems in cats and dogs, including diarrhea, vomiting, heart arrhythmias, and even seizures. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is poisonous to pets.

2. Fatty Foods

Fatty foods like cheeseburgers, bacon and fried foods are not good for your companion animal. The high levels of fat in these foods can cause a number of digestive issues, such as gas, diarrhea, and vomiting. Additionally, feeding your pet a diet high in fatty foods can lead to pancreatitis and gastrointestinal damage.

3. Nuts

While nuts like peanuts and cashews are OK for your animal to consume in small amounts, other nuts like almonds, macadamias and walnuts can cause severe health complications. These nuts contain ingredients that can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, seizures, and serious neurological issues. If you notice your pet acting lethargic or mentally out of it, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

4. Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins may seem like a healthy treat, but they actually cause a number of health problems in cats and dogs. These two foods are highly toxic to your pet and can cause kidney problems—even failure—as well as tremors and seizures. If your pet has consumed one of these items, notify your veterinarian right away.

Oak Crest Animal Hospital in Cincinnati, OH, provides families in the community the pet care they need for companion animals. From wellness visits to nutritional recommendations, the veterinarians at Oak Crest Animal Hospital have the knowledge and expertise to treat your family pet. To learn more about the services they provide, visit their website, and call (513) 574-3647 to schedule an appointment today.