Pet parents wish the best for their pets. They strive to ensure their furry friends live a quality life by grooming them, buying them toys, and letting them move around the house freely. Some even feed their pets snacks from their own plate to keep them happy. However, one must note that not every human food is safe for animals. Here are six everyday foods that can be toxic to pets. Chocolates Chocolates are a popular treat in almost every household. Many love indulging in chocolate bars and other recipes containing chocolates, such as brownies and cookies. While these are safe for humans, they are highly unsuitable for dogs and cats. Chocolates contain a compound called theobromine, which is toxic to them. Consuming even small amounts of chocolate can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, seizures, and, in severe cases, death in pets. Caffeine Like theobromine, caffeine is toxic to cats and dogs. It’s commonly found in beverages like coffee, tea, and sodas. Ingesting caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, seizures, and, in severe cases, death. Hence, one must keep caffeinated products away from pets. Avocados Although a superfood for humans, avocados are toxic to birds and cattle. A compound called persin makes the fruit harmful to these animals. While avocados are not as toxic to cats and dogs, they are still unsuitable for consumption because they can cause gastrointestinal issues. Grapes Grapes and raisins are highly unsafe for dogs, as their consumption can lead to kidney failure. Even small amounts, if consumed, can cause severe complications like vomiting and diarrhea. Onions Onions are highly toxic to cats and dogs. If consumed, they can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness, increased heart rate, and gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea. Garlic and chives may have similar effects.

Having a pet is an incredibly rewarding and heartwarming experience, but caring for them isn’t easy. It requires a lot of involvement, whether it is in the form of time, attention, or resources. A pet’s health and happiness depend on many factors, including proper nutrition, regular exercise, preventive measures, mental stimulation, a loving environment, and more. However, some mistakes that pet parents make may compromise their pet’s health and well-being. Ignoring fleas and ticks Pet parents often make the mistake of ignoring minor fleas and ticks, thinking that they will go away on their own. But fleas and ticks are pests that not only cause pets discomfort but also put them at risk of developing infections, skin irritation, and other diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. So, one should regularly check for signs of these pests and use measures like flea collars and treatments, especially during warmer months, to ensure optimal pet health. Not paying attention to oral hygiene Pets may not necessarily need brushing and flossing daily as humans do, but they require a certain level of dental care. Poor oral hygiene can cause tartar buildup, gum disease, or heart or kidney issues. While brushing a pet’s teeth is the best option to maintain their oral hygiene, chewable toys like chewables by PetSmart, especially for dogs, are also an option. These easy-to-digest treats give clean teeth, fresh breath, and mental stimulation. One can get chewable PetSmart items in different sizes and tastes. Not using identification tags Using an identification tag is often overlooked as a simple precautionary measure. A collar with an ID tag contains all the necessary information about the pet owner’s phone number, name, and, in some cases, home address. It ensures the pet is never lost or, if found, can be returned to safety and reunited with their owner.

Fleas and ticks are parasites that cause discomfort and health risks to dogs and nuisance to pet owners. While commercial products are available to help fight these parasites, some people opt for repellants made of kitchen ingredients that are commonly available and have properties that help eliminate fleas and ticks effectively.  These products do not include harmful chemicals. They also suit individuals who are concerned about the environmental impact of alternative pest control techniques. Lemon juice Lemon juice is one of the most effective kitchen ingredients for fighting fleas and ticks. There are two ways in which one can use this common kitchen ingredient for this purpose. Firstly, one can prepare a bath for their dog with diluted lemon juice. For this, combine two cups of water with half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice. One can then add their dog’s regular shampoo to the mix, which will create the perfect bath to eliminate fleas and ticks. Another way to use lemon juice is to dip the dog’s comb into fresh lemon juice and run it through their fur. Apple cider vinegar One can also make use of apple cider vinegar in multiple ways to eliminate fleas and ticks. One of the recommended approaches involves creating a spray solution by diluting six cups of apple cider vinegar with four cups of water, supplemented with some table salt. This will create the perfect mixture that one can spray onto the dog’s fur to get rid of parasites. Besides this, one can also mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with four cups of their dog’s drinking water. If the dog likes the taste of this, it can be an effective remedy to get rid of fleas from its fur. Baking soda with salt If a dog has fleas or ticks, there is a good chance that the pests have infested the house, too.