15 Foods to Avoid When Making Homemade Pet Food

You are what you eat–and so is you pet!  That’s why it’s important to make sure that your pet has a healthy, well-balanced diet.  While there are some great pet foods on the market, a growing number of pet owners feel that one of the best ways to care for their pet is to make the food themselves.  If you’re concerned about the nutritional value of some commercially made products while desiring to save money on pet food, you may also find yourself whipping up tasty dishes for your pets to enjoy.

Cooking for your furry family member is not much different than cooking for the rest of the family.  Choosing choice cuts of meat, vegetables and grains, it may also be a better solution for finicky cats and dogs with diet restrictions.  With one quick surf of the web, you will discover all sorts of recipes for dog and even cat food.  But before you head to the kitchen, let’s begin by taking a look at some toxic foods to avoid and some tips on preparation.

Alcoholic beverages – Can cause intoxication, coma and death
Baby Food – May contain onion powder, which can be toxic
Caffeine – Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeinated foods contain theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system
Citrus oil extracts – May result in vomiting
Fat trimmings – Can cause pancreatitis
Grapes and raisins – Both contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys
Large amounts of liver – Can affect muscles and bones due to Vitamin-A toxicity
Macadamia nuts – Unknown toxin can affect the digestive and nervous systems, as well as, muscle
Mushrooms – Can affect multiple systems in the body, causing shock and even death
Onions and garlic – Avoid them in any form–raw, cooked, or powdered, as they can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. (Note:  Cats are more susceptible than dogs.)
Persimmons – Seeds (and pits from fruits like peaches and plums) can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis
Starchy foods – Potatoes, rhubarb, peas, for example, can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems
Raw eggs – Contains an enzyme called avidin, which can decrease the ability to absorb some B vitamins, leading to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs also run the risk of containing Salmonella.
Raw fish  – When fed regularly, it can result in a thiamine deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
Yeast dough – Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

(Note:  Keep in mind that this is only a partial list, but it should help you avoid potentially harmful foods for your pet.  Always consult your veterinarian before switching to homemade pet food.)

Preparation Tips:

Always remove bones from fish, poultry and other meats, as they can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Food should be served at room temperature, not cold from the refrigerator or hot from the stove.
Typically, homemade pet food does not need additional salt, as the meats and veggies generally contain enough for your pet.
Table scraps (in large amounts) may not be nutritionally balanced.  Be sure they don’t make up more than 10% of the diet.
You can also consider creating semi-homemade meals by adding fresh meat to all-natural food mixes.  It’s a great alternative for those times when you aren’t able to make the meals yourself.