# What to Avoid in a Dog’s and Cat’s Diet

- Published: 2025-08-06
- Updated: 2025-08-29
- URL: https://bellywelly.eu/en-US/a/what-to-avoid-in-a-dogs-and-cats-diet-i16

A dog’s and cat’s diet should be tasty, contain all essential nutrients, and exclude ingredients that may pose a threat to the health—or even life—of our pet.

7 August 2025

## What to Avoid in a Dog’s and Cat’s Diet

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#### A dog’s and cat’s diet should be tasty, contain all essential nutrients, and exclude ingredients that may pose a threat to the health—or even life—of our pet.

#### The following ingredients should be strictly avoided:

-   #### **Chocolate**: Contains theobromine, toxic to dogs and cats. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and heart issues.
    
-   #### **Onions and Garlic**: Harm red blood cells, leading to anemia.
    
-   #### **Grapes and Raisins**: May cause kidney failure in dogs.
    
-   #### **Avocado**: Toxic to pets; can cause digestive issues and, in larger amounts, serious poisoning.
    
-   #### **Alcohol**: Causes coordination problems, vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory depression.
    
-   #### **Bones**: Especially poultry bones, can splinter and damage the digestive tract.
    
-   #### **Xylitol (Birch Sugar)**: Extremely harmful; causes hypoglycemia and liver damage. Even small amounts can be fatal.
    
-   #### **Raw Meat**: Only fresh, high-quality meat is safe. Otherwise, it poses a risk of bacterial and parasitic infections.
    
-   #### **Table Scraps**: Human food often contains salt, fats, and spices harmful to pets.
    
-   #### **Dairy (Lactose Intolerance)**: Many adult dogs and cats lose the ability to digest lactose, leading to bloating, gas, diarrhea, and vomiting.
    
-   #### **Citrus Fruits**: Can irritate the digestive tract, especially in cats.
    
-   #### **Excessive Grains**: May cause digestive issues and obesity, especially in cats.
    
-   #### **Fertilizers, Pesticides, Rodenticides**: Highly toxic and potentially fatal.
    
-   #### **Apple and Pear Cores with Seeds**: Contain cyanide, which is poisonous.
    

#### Some of these ingredients may seem attractive to pets, but owners should not rely on what their dog or cat likes. It’s the breeder’s responsibility to ensure animals don’t have access to harmful substances.