There are many foods that you may consider when it comes to feeding a pet. Sometimes, you might even slide them a few table scraps because it just feels like the right thing to do. Some of those foods can be highly beneficial for them, but other foods are toxic and can cause health issues for your pet. Here’s a list of seven foods that you should not feed your pet.

1. Xylitol
It is a product found in baked goods, toothpaste, gum, candy, and other Xylitol sweetened foods. The substance can lead to liver failure, following an excessive insulin release into the body, subsequently causing lower sugar levels (hypoglycemia). The early signs include vomiting, loss of coordination, and lethargy in pets. These signs may progress into severe conditions like seizures, even elevated liver enzymes, and liver failure.

2. Yeast dough
Adding yeast dough to your pet’s daily food supply can also be problematic. The food can lead to the accumulation of gas in the digestive system. The trapped gas may be painful and lead to bloating in the stomach and even threaten life. Further, yeast produces ethanol as a by-product which can even make a pet drunk.

3. Citrus foods
Citrus foods such as citrus stems, peels, fruits, even seeds of plants contain various citric acids and essential oils. Though small quantities of these foods may only cause a tummy ache, excessive consumption may irritate pets and even affect the central nervous system depression when consumed in excess.

4. Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages and foods products that contain alcohol must be avoided at all costs. Alcohol products can cause diarrhea, vomiting, decreased coordination, breathing problems, and death, among other symptoms. If there’s a possibility your pet has accidentally consumed alcohol, then you must get them checked by a vet immediately.

5. Coconut
You must limit coconut or coconut-based products such as oils while preparing your pet’s foods. The flesh and milk of fresh coconuts contain oils that can upset the stomach, lead to stools, and cause diarrhea. Coconut water has high levels of potassium, which is also toxic for your pet.

6. Coffee, caffeine products, and tea
Though a hot cup of coffee, caffeine products, or tea has great benefits for humans, you must not let your pets consume them. Cacao seeds contain methylxanthines, which can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, excessive thirst, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, and urination. Even chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains methylxanthines and is harmful to your pet.

7. Other toxic foods
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there is a list of other foods that you must also avoid feeding your pets. These include:

• Grapes and raisins – They cause kidney failure.
• Macadamia nuts – They cause weakness, depression, tremors, and hyperthermia.
• Onions, garlic, chives – Consuming them leads to gastrointestinal irritation can damage the red blood cells.
• Salt and salt-rich foods – It causes sodium ion poisoning, excessive thirst, and urination.