Pets Have People Problems Too - by Jack Cole

They look at you with their soft, hopeful eyes, and of course you want to give them a little piece of what you’re eating. But before you relinquish a bite of that peanut butter and jelly, make sure it’s safe for your furry companion. There are certain foods that are naturally toxic for certain pets. For example, macadamia nuts can cause gastrointestinal and neurological problems for cats. In chocolate, caffeine and theobromine can cause possible seizures as well as elevated blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety in dogs. In addition, like people, more are more pets are being diagnosed with food allergies. For cats, the most common food allergies include chicken, fish, dairy, and beef. Dogs find themselves most commonly allergic to beef, chicken, dairy, eggs, gluten, and soy.  How do you know if your pet is allergic to a food? If you notice any skin or coat changes (which can include itchiness, redness, fur loss, excessive grooming or increased dandruff), ear infections, soft stools, or constipation, these can all be symptoms of food allergies. Unlike people, the only way to test for pet food allergies is through elimination diets – a diet in which a veterinarian will prescribe strict diets for your pet in order to determine what may be causing its symptoms.

You love your pet. They’re an important part of the family. Get to know these signs and help them continue to live their best lives.