Toxic Autumn Foods For Pets

Turkey Bones

Who does not love turkey? Turkey is the festive centerpiece in every autumn festivity. It is delicious, a great source of protein, and is jam-packed with nutrients like Vitamin B and zinc.

If you opt to give your pets turkey meat, do not feed them fatty or heavily seasoned pieces (garlic and onions are toxic- and in powdered forms, they can be even more dangerous!).

You should only give your furbaby turkey in small amounts. You can offer turkey as a treat or top their regular meal with some shredded turkey.

Can dogs eat turkey bones? No. Turkey bones can be dangerous for pets. Cooked bones can easily break and splinter into small, sharp pieces. Turkey bones are not safe for pets as they may be choking hazards, lead to gastrointestinal injuries, or cause blockages.

Instead of turkey bones, give your furbaby Gnawtlers®. Gnawtlers® are premium elk and deer antler chews. These dog chews give your furbaby a one-of-a-kind safe gnawing experience! These antler chews for dogs do not easily break and splinter and are filled with nutrients like calcium, zinc, and manganese, making it a healthy chewing choice!

Chocolate

Autumn season can be full of festivities and what is a festivity celebration without chocolates? However, chocolates are toxic to pets and need to be avoided.

As mentioned by MSD Veterinary Manual, chocolate contains theobromine which gives it its toxicity. Chocolates also contain caffeine which is also harmful to furbabies. It is important to note the more chocolate ingested, and the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more toxic!

Symptoms of mild chocolate poisoning may include but are not limited to:

Symptoms of severe chocolate poisoning may include:

What to do if a dog eats chocolate? Contact your veterinarian immediately or call your pet poison helpline to help you assess the situation. You shouldn’t wait until symptoms begin to show. The sooner your furbaby gets treatment, the better!

Grapes and Raisins

An assortment of fruit is brought to the table during the autumn season, including grapes and raisins! Grapes and raisins are the most toxic to dogs and cats.

The toxicity causes the condition hemolytic anemia which is when the red blood cells that circulate your furbaby's body begin to burst. Grapes and raisins, even when ingested in small amounts, can lead to kidney failure in dogs and cats.

If your furbaby ingests any grapes or raisins, contact your veterinarian immediately!

Rich and Fatty Foods

Autumn is made of many buttery and fatty foods. While you might think giving your furbaby table scraps from Thanksgiving dinner is a good idea, it could be very unsafe.

Though rich and fatty foods are not necessarily toxic, these foods can easily trigger pancreatitis (inflammation of your pet’s pancreas) in your furbaby, abdominal pain, and dog upset stomach. It’s best to avoid any rich, fatty foods.

Garlic and Onions

Used as a flavor enhancer on many delicious autumn recipes, garlic and onions are toxic to pets!

When ingested, red blood cells are damaged, resulting in anemia. Symptoms can exhibit themselves quickly or may take several days to show.

Symptoms of garlic and onion poisoning include:

Pumpkin and Spices

Yes, while it is true that pumpkin is good for pets, is a great complement to your furbaby’s diet, and is packed with healthy nutrients and minerals, pumpkin treats with added spices and sweeteners are not safe for pets.

Unattended Alcoholic Drinks

As you have fun during autumn parties and celebrations, make sure all alcoholic drinks are out of your furbaby’s reach and never leave drinks unattended.

If your furbaby accidentally ingested alcohol, even in just small amounts, it can cause intoxication resulting in vomiting, disorientation, and more serious health issues when not managed and treated properly.

Yeasty Doughs

Bread and dinner rolls are quite popular during autumn however the yeasty doughs are not safe for pets.

Keep all unbaked yeasty doughs out of your furbaby’s sight and reach. Your furbaby’s stomach offers a perfect place for bread to rise and, if they ingest an unbaked dough, it will easily expand in their stomach causing bloating or other gastrointestinal issues, like rupturing!

Fall Pet Safety

Remember to keep your pets away from these toxic autumn foods to help ensure your furbaby’s safety in autumn. Store these foods in locked cupboards, shelves or other areas your furbaby won’t be able to get to. When feeding your furbaby anything new, you should always check the ingredients to avoid any potentially dangerous ingredients.

What Autumn Foods Can Pets Eat?

While there are several toxic autumn foods for pets, there are also some that are safe for your furbabies. The following are safe autumn foods your pets can eat:

While autumn is a wonderful season filled with fun festivities and delicious foods, it is necessary to keep our pet’s health in mind, too!

By being aware of the toxic autumn foods for pets, and the harmful effects they can trigger, our furbabies can live their best lives during the autumn season. Here’s to a safe, happier, and healthier autumn season for you and your beloved furbabies!