Do you own a pet? Do you know what NOT to feed them? We all love to treats our pets, but not all foods are suitable for sharing with our animals. Take a look at this infographic which explores some of the foods which are best kept away from your cat, dog, rabbit and rat. Make sure you're aware of the dangers of feeding the wrong foods to your pets.

1. We all love to spoil our pets by giving them a tasty treat once in a while, but not all foods are
suitable for your pets. The following are best kept away from your furry friends...
DOGS
Avocado
Grapes & raisins
This can be toxic to dogs
in large amounts as it
contains persin,
something which is found
in the fruit, leaves, seeds
and bark.
These fruits can cause
kidney failure in dogs but
it’s not clear why. Keep
them off counters as even
a small amount could
make your dog ill.
Salty foods
Sodium ion poisoning can
occur if your dog has too
much salty food, so it’s
best not to share things
like chips and pretzels
with them.
Sugary foods
Peaches & plums
The pits in these fruits contain
cyanide which is poisonous to
animals and people - we know not
to swallow this, but dogs don’t!
Other foods not to feed your dog include:
As with humans, too
much sugary food and
drink can lead to obesity,
dental problems and the
onset of diabetes.
Macadamia nuts, alcohol, chocolate and bread/yeast dough.
Safe treats:
Cooked white
rice & pasta.
Slices of fresh fruits
like apples, bananas
and watermelon.
Vegetables likes carrot
sticks, green beans &
cucumber slices.
Remove the seeds first!
CATS
Onions, garlic,
chives & leeks
Caffeine
There’s little you can do
with a cat that’s
consumed a large
quantity of caffeine, so
make sure to keep things
like coffee and energy
drinks out of their reach.
Small amounts taken
regularly or a large
quantity taken at once can
destroy a cat’s red blood
cells, causing anemia.
Raw eggs
Raw fish
Salmon, trout, shad and
sturgeon contain parasites
which could cause “fish
disease”, something which
may be fatal within two
weeks if left untreated.
Lilies
Certain types of lilies could be very
toxic to your cat. If pollen or a leaf
is ingested, poisoning could result.
Because they’re rich in
protein, cooked eggs are
great for both humans and
cats. But E coli and
salmonella are a risk from
raw eggs, so don’t feed
them to your cat.
Other foods not to feed your cat include: Chocolate, alcohol, grapes, raisins, and bread/yeast dough.
Safe treats:
Cooked meats
like chicken,
eggs or fish.
Sometimes cats crave
veggies - try giving
them a small amount
of broccoli.
A small amount of cheese
can be a great source of
protein for your cat.
Be careful: some cats are lactose intolerant!
RATS
RABBITS
Citrus fruits
Lettuce
Fruits like limes, grapefruits and
oranges are best avoided as they
are too acidic and can cause kidney
damage, especially with male rats.
Certain types of lettuce, such as iceberg,
should not be fed to rabbits as they
contain laudanum, something which
can be harmful in large quantities.
Chocolates
It’s not advisable to feed chocolate
to your rats as many animals find it
toxic, particularly dark chocolate
which is higher in caffeine.
Cheese
Because cheese is high in fat, it
should only be fed as a special treat.
Blue cheese is best avoided
altogether as the mold can be toxic.
Carrots
Despite images from popular culture,
carrots should not be used as a main
source of food for rabbits as they do not
naturally eat root veg. Carrots should
only be fed as an occasional treat as
they are high in sugar.
Grass clippings
It’s best not to feed lawn clippings to
your rabbit as they ferment quickly and
could cause digestive trouble.
The majority of your rabbit’s diet
should consist of good quality hay.
Other foods not to feed your rat include:
Other foods not to feed your rabbit include:
Food that is made for other animals like hamsters or
guinea pigs, as these will not have the right nutrition.
Muesli mix - this has been linked to various health
problems in rabbits. Ask your vet for more info.
Safe treats:
Sunflower seeds and peanuts
make good occasional treats.
It’s also normal for rats to eat their
own fresh droppings, so don’t
stop them from doing this!
Safe foods:
A mix of green vegetables
such as broccoli, celery, peas
and courgettes are suitable
for daily feeding.
Sources:
Animal Friends, ASPCA, Web MD, PDSA, RSPCA,
HelpUCover, the BRC, Rabbit Welfare, Squidoo