Foods Your Pets Should (and Shouldn't) Eat

Foods Your Pets Should (and Shouldn’t) Eat
Foods Your Pets Should (and Shouldn’t) Eat

Unprocessed foods that are healthy for your cat or dog:

Chicken, Turkey

  • High protein source that is low in fat.
  • Contributes towards exceptional health in dogs.
  • Cats are true carnivores, they must have a protein-based diet.
  • Dogs are omnivores, they thrive on a diet that includes meat.

Lamb

  • A good protein source.

Rabbit

  • A good protein source.

Fish

  • A good protein source.
  • Fish has omega-3 fatty acids, which helps control arthritis, allergies, and high cholesterol.

Sweet Potato

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  • Sweet potato is a good source of energy, supplies important nutrients, and is a natural source of dietary fiber.

Green Beans

  • Increases feelings of fullness thereby reducing overeating.

Spinach

  • An excellent source of fiber and packed with nutrients.

Broccoli

  • Very good for dogs and cats, but should not be more than 10% of their diet because it can be a potent gastrointestinal irritant.

Carrot

  • A good source of fiber.

Kale

  • A good source of fiber and packed with nutrients.

Raw bones (veal or lamb)

  • Provides protein and a balance of essential minerals.
  • Helps prevent periodontal disease and may actually reverse its effects

Note: Vegetables can be grated, mashed or blended in a food processor, however your pet prefers.

Unprocessed foods your cat or dog should avoid:

Chocolate

  • Theobromine is the compound in chocolate that is harmful to dogs. Dark chocolate is worse than milk chocolate.
  • Causes gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, excitement, increased urination, muscle tremors and rapid heart rate.
  • Can be toxic, may cause death at doses of 100mg/kg or more.

Onion

  • Can lead to hemolytic anemia (abnormal breakdown of red blood cells) in cats and dogs.
  • May lead to a toxic build up, cats are more sensitive than dogs.

Garlic

  • May lead to a toxic build up in both cats and dogs.

Fava Beans

  • Toxic to pets.

Macadamia Nuts

  • Contains an unknown toxin: can affect the digestive system, nervous system and muscles.
  • Side effects may include: abdominal pain, vomiting, pale gums, stiffness, lameness, difficulty walking, tremors, weakness, and depression.

Grapes & Raisins

  • Causes gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea, and could lead to kidney failure, and may cause death.

Eggplant

  • Very poisonous to pets.

White Potato

  • Potato skins can lead to vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, nervous system stimulation, depression, trembling, paralysis & cardiac arrest.

Tomatoes

  • Tomatoes can cause tremors, heart arrhythmias, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, CNS depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, and dilated pupils.

Wheat

  • Hard to digest, pets are likely to be allergic.

Corn

  • Can lead to vomiting, depression, drooling, lack of coordination, and weakness.

Beef

  • Hard to digest.
  • Large amounts of liver may cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.

Cooked Bones

  • Cooked bones get brittle and splinter when cooked. This can lead to intestinal perforations.
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Lisa Roth Collins is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) and is the Marketing Manager at NaturallySavvy.com. She is passionate about health and wellness and tries her best to make healthier choices every day for herself and her family. Her journey to natural health was driven by her own struggles with digestive discomfort, depression, and anxiety. Lisa returned to school in 2014 to study nutrition at the Canadian School for Natural Nutrition. She threw herself into her studies so she could learn as much as she could to help herself feel better and thrive. Upon completing the program and being certified as an RHN, Lisa began her work at Naturally Savvy where she has been able to help so many people learn to make healthier choices for themselves. Through her work, she has connected with so many incredible people in the industry whether other authors, influencers, or brands. Plus, she is affectionately known as "Techie Spice" because of her ability to wrap her head around technology. Every day she gets up with a renewed sense of energy and ready to make a difference. You can read all of Lisa's content here. In her spare time, Lisa loves to try new recipes, make delicious and nourishing meals, and she is an avid reader. For more information about Lisa, check out her profile on here.