What Pensacola Pet Owners Need to Know

Sharing food is one way we show love, but for pets, some everyday human foods can cause serious illness or even be life-threatening. At Veterinary Emergency Referral Center (VERC) in Pensacola, we regularly treat pets for food-related toxicities that could have been prevented with awareness.

If your dog or cat eats something unsafe, don’t wait. Early treatment can save lives.

Common Foods That Are Toxic to Pets

Even Small Amounts Can Be Dangerous

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant that pets cannot process effectively. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate, and cocoa powder are especially dangerous. Symptoms may include vomiting, tremors, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, and collapse.

Grapes & Raisins

Grapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, even in very small amounts. Because there is no known safe dose, ingestion of any amount should be treated as an emergency.

Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener)

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free products, including gum, candy, baked goods, toothpaste, and some peanut butter brands. In dogs, xylitol can cause a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar, seizures, and acute liver failure.

Always check ingredient labels before giving your pet any human food.

Onions & Garlic

Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives, whether raw, cooked, or powdered, can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia in both dogs and cats. Symptoms may not appear right away and can worsen over time.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and foods containing alcohol can cause vomiting, disorientation, breathing difficulties, tremors, coma, and death. Pets should never be allowed access to alcohol.

Foods That Aren’t Usually Fatal - But Still Harmful

While these foods may not always be deadly, they commonly cause illness and emergency visits:

• Fatty foods (bacon, sausage, fried foods) - pancreatitis, vomiting, diarrhea

• Dairy products - stomach upset and diarrhea due to lactose intolerance

• Cooked bones - choking hazards and intestinal injury

• Salty snacks - excessive thirst, vomiting, electrolyte imbalances

• Caffeine - restlessness, rapid heart rate, tremors

Pet-Safe Human Foods (In Moderation)

Some human foods can be safely shared occasionally, as long as they are plain, unseasoned, and given in small amounts:

• Plain cooked chicken or turkey (no seasoning, skin, or bones)

• Carrots and green beans

• Plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

• Apples (no seeds or core)

• Plain white rice or pasta

• Peanut butter (check the label for xylitol)

• Blueberries

• Marshmallows

• Plain cooked sweet potato

Even safe foods should only be offered as treats. Sudden diet changes can still cause stomach upset.

What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something Unsafe

If you think your pet may have ingested a toxic or questionable food:

1. Remove access to the food immediately.

2. Call your veterinarian or VERC right away.

3. Watch for symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, tremors, weakness, or collapse.

Prompt treatment can significantly improve outcomes.

Emergency Veterinary Care in Pensacola, FL

Food-related toxicities are one of the most common emergencies we see at Veterinary Emergency Referral Center in Pensacola. Keeping harmful foods out of reach and knowing what to watch for can help protect your pet from a medical emergency.

If you’re unsure whether something is safe, it’s always better to call and ask.

📞 850-477-3914

📍4800 N Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503