10 Foods Poisonous to Pets

We all know that pets aren’t supposed to have people food. But let’s face it, sometimes, it happens…something falls on
the floor when you’re cooking dinner, and Buddy is quickly there, vacuuming up the crumbs, or Felix steels something
off the plate when you aren’t looking…

There are some healthy “people foods” for pets (only small amounts– not replacements for pet food). But there are
also many foods that can be dangerous to our feline friends and canine companions.

Grapes and Raisins

These can be toxic to dogs and cause kidney failure. Researchers say there are still many unknowns about the toxicity
of grapes and raisins, including whether only certain types of dogs are affected, but it is advised not to feed grapes or
raisins to dogs in any amount.

Avocado
While many pet owners say they feed their pets avocados with no problems, studies have shown that their leaves,
fruit, seeds and bark can contain a toxin called Persin. According to the ASPCA, the Guatemalan variety, which is
commonly found in stores, contains the most toxicity

Yeast Dough
Dough that is not cooked and contains yeast can rise in your pet’s stomach, causing pain, and can potentially cause the
intestines to rupture. This risk diminishes once the dough is cooked.

Onions, Onion Powder, Chives and Garlic

These all can lead to gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage. All forms of onion can cause problems
including dehydrated onions, raw and cooked onions. Cats are more susceptible than dogs, but it can be toxic to both.

Foods with a high salt or fat content

Excessive fats can cause upset stomach and potentially inflame the pancreas causing pancreatitis. Salty foods can pose
a risk for the development of sodium ion toxicosis, according to the ASPCA. Be aware that if your pet gets into food
with a high fat or salt content, she could experience stomach problems including diarrhea and vomiting.

Leftover Bones
Leftover bones pose a choking hazard to pets, and they can also splinter and puncture your pet’s gut or intestine.
Additionally, do not feed your pet undercooked meat or eggs, as they can contain harmful bacteria.

Sugarless Candies (products sweetened with xylitol)

This compound can cause liver damage and even death in some more vulnerable dogs. Xylitol is in many products
including gum, candy, sugar-free cookies and toothpaste.
Macadamia Nuts
These nuts can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Symptoms generally last up to two days,
and usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion.

Alcohol, Chocolate, Coffee

According to the ASPCA, the substances in chocolate, coffee, and caffeine, methlxanthines, can cause vomiting,
diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and potentially death in pets. The
higher the cocoa percentage, the more dangerous the chocolate is, making dark chocolate more toxic than milk or
white chocolate. All these products can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even death.

17 Most common poisonous plants

1. Lilies
2. Marijuana
3. Sago Palm
4. Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
5. Azalea/Rhododendron
6. Oleander
7. Castor Bean
8. Cyclamen
9. Kalanchoe
10. Yew
11. Amaryllis
12. Autumn Crocus
13. Chrysanthemum
14. English Ivy
15. Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily)
16. Pothos
17. Schefflera

Poison Safety Kit for Pets

By Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Care2 Healthy and Green Living
You love your cats and dogs like they were one of the family. And chances are, you’ve got a first aid kit in some form
around the house in case something should happen to one of the human members of your family. But what about the
animal members?

Pet owners should create a safety kit to keep on hand for poisoning emergencies involving their animals. According to
the ASPCA, this kit should contain:
• A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent solution (USP).
• Can of soft dog or cat food.
• Turkey baster, bulb syringe, or large medical syringe.
• Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants.
• Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
• Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid to decontaminate skin.
• Skunk Off! or tomato juice (for skunk spray).
• Rubber gloves or tough gardening gloves.
• Forceps to remove stingers.
• Muzzle (a frightened animal may inadvertently bite).
• Several soft old towels.
• Pet carrier.

6 Herbs for Hay Fever

Adapted from Hay Fever: The Complete Guide by Jonathan Brostoff, M.D. and Linda Gamlin (Inner Traditions, 2002).

The pollen season always brings discomfort to so many of us. But there are herbs that have been tested and shown to
alleviate the congestion, sniffling, and sneezing of hay fever, so you can enjoy the warmer weather and longer days.
Here are six herbal allies that can help you find natural relief from your seasonal allergies.
Most of these herbs may be found at your local natural foods store, or go online to find an herbal purveyor.

Butterbur may be a very effective treatment for hay fever. It was recently compared to an antihistamine and did just
as well in controlling hay fever symptoms, but did not produce drowsiness. This plant contains substances that are
known to affect the immune system, and it has also been used to treat asthma.

Stinging nettle was thought to be as good as, or better than, previous hay fever medications by half of the patients
tested. The dose used was two 300 mg capsules taken whenever the symptoms were experienced. This is not a
conclusive study, but it does suggest that stinging nettle might be a useful treatment. It is probably a safe herb.

Ginkgo may decrease the body’s reactions to allergens. (For those with pollen asthma, it could also help by calming
the inflammation of the airways.)

Luffa complex (also marketed as Pollisan) contains extracts of several different plant products, including the sponge
cucumber. (Also called a luffa or loofah, this is better known as a scratchy cylinder used to scrub the ski while
showering. ) An unpublished result of a trial carried out by the manufacturer suggests that 75% of hay fever sufferers
find benefit from this mixture.

Quercetin is found in red wine, apples, onions, and other foods and is therefore likely to be safe as long as you don’t
overdo the dose. It has been tested in the laboratory with mast cells taken from the noses of people with allergic
rhinitis (mast cells are responsible for starting off the allergic reaction.) Exposure to quercetin made the cells less
likely to respond to allergen. Although we are not sure if quercetin is as effective when taken by mouth as it is in a test
tube, if you want to give it a try, the dose usually recommended is between 250 mg and 600 mg, taken 5 to 10 minutes
before meals.

Perilla 6000, which is marketed as a treatment for hay fever and other allergies contains Perilla frutescens, a Chinese
herb with a long folk tradition of treating allergy, plus Coleus forskohlii. The latter has been tested for asthma and has
definite benefits, but it can also cause soreness in the mouth and nausea. Perilla itself has only been tested in animals,
but did show promising results in blocking allergic reactions. (Unfortunately, this mixture also contains alfalfa, which is
harmful to some people with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.) Perilla 6000 is not yet sold
in the United States, but can be found via the Internet.

Curious, Flexible & Affectionate

Versatility is a great keyword for you. Expressive and quick-witted, you present two distinctive
sides to your personality. You can never be sure with which one you're going to come face-to-
face. On one hand, you can be outgoing, flirtatious, communicative, and ready for fun, fun, fun.
Yet when the other part of you is present, you can find yourself contemplative, serious, restless,
and even indecisive. Both sides of you are able to adapt to life's circumstances well, making you
a wonderful person to know. Things are never boring when you’re on the scene. Favorable
Colors: Green Key Body Part: Arms, Shoulders, Lungs Lucky Gem: Agate Strengths: Curiosity,
ability to share ideas, adaptable, affectionate, kind. Weaknesses: Scattering energy in too many
places at once, fickle in love, nervous, short attention span. Charismatic marks: Expressive eyes,
quick, bright, often small-boned, refined features. Likes: Music, magazines, books, music, blogs,
chats with nearly anyone, short trips around town. Dislikes: Repetition and routine, being alone,
being confined. Best environment: Any busy neighborhood, places where people gather to
gossip, bookstores, museums.