Foods Poisonous to Small Pets

Foods Poisonous to Pets: 𝗕𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗦, 𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗦

Ensure that you wash all fruits, vegetables and herbs to remove any poison sprays which may have been used in the production process.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗜 𝗗𝗢 𝗜𝗙 𝗠𝗬 𝗣𝗘𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗘?

Always act immediately and take your pet to the vet.

𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗦

A number of foods can disrupt rabbits’ digestion and be harmful to their health with their unique digestive systems mean that their guardians must be extra-cautious when feeding them.

𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼 – should never be included in your rabbit’s diet. According to Small Pet Select, this fatty fruit can be deadly if ingested by a rabbit.

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱, 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮, 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 – high-carb sugary treats will really only “treat” your rabbit to stomach issues. Avoid foods high in sugar or artificial ingredients, as, like yoghurt drop, they could potentially lead to enterotoxemia.

𝗖𝗮𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 – although vegetables are an ideal addition to the high-fibre hay that rabbit diets require, cauliflower causes rabbits to bloat and become gassy. Rather consider green peppers, beets, or radishes

𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 – like muesli, a processed food made up of flaked maize, peas, pellets, grains, and seeds—can lead to tooth and tummy problems.

𝗛𝗮𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 – rabbits require a special high-fibre diet, think high-quality Timothy hay, fresh vegetables, and herbs, hamster food will do little to nothing for your rabbit’s nutrition.

𝗜𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗲 – avoid feeding your rabbit light-coloured lettuce, including iceberg, as it can contain lactucarium, a chemical that can be harmful to your rabbit’s health if ingested.

𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 – an absolute no-no which can be poisonous to rabbits and should never be fed to them.

𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘁 – rabbits are herbivores, meaning that they eat plants and your domesticated rabbit should not consume meat.

𝗢𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗹 – although feeding rabbits oatmeal won’t cause them major harm, it’s not an ideal meal as rabbits need large amounts of Timothy hay, hearty greens, and fresh water.

𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 – is high in fat and to be avoided as this can give rabbits a tummy ache.

𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗲𝘀 – although potatoes won’t necessarily poison rabbits, this human favourite vegetable isn’t ideal for them. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates and starch, and can cause issues for the rabbit’s digestive system.

𝗥𝗵𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗯 – if a rabbit were to ingest raw rhubarb, it could be fatal.

𝗦𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗲𝘁 – as per Iceberg Lettuce, Silverbeet, sometimes referred to as Chard, is another leafy green that your rabbit should avoid. According to a veterinary centre in New Zealand, the vegetable can cause your rabbit to suffer from colic and bloating and should be replaced with high-fibre fruits, veggies, and herbs. Radishes, alfalfa, and rosemary are all great options.

𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗻𝘂𝘁𝘀 – are high in fat, not fibre, which can cause your rabbit uncomfortable indigestion. Rather use fresh veggies or herbs for snacks.

𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘀 – research suggests that yoghurt drops may contribute to lethal cases of enterotoxemia, “a toxic overgrowth of ‘bad’ bacteria in the intestinal tract” so if you’re looking for a healthy treat to feed your rabbit, try green peppers or Brussels sprouts..

𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦

Don’t feed your hamster the following as they are harmful to their health and can lead to medical conditions:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons or grapefruits
• Sugar
• Treats or foods with high fat content

𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗦

𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼 – 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 – naturally produces a fatty acid derivative called Persin. When ingested by parrots, it can lead to breathing problems and the inability to perch properly. Once respiratory issues begin, death is often not far off.

𝗘𝗴𝗴𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 – 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 – are a member of the nightshade family, so it contains Solanine, which is a type of poison. In parrots, Solanine can cause gastrointestinal and neurological disorders.

𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 – 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 – contains a compound called theobromine. Theobromine, like caffeine, belongs to the class of alkaloids called methylated xanthine.

𝗙𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝘀 – 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 – fruit pits contain cyanide that is toxic to parrots. This is most common in apricot and cherry pits but can include others. Before feeding your parrot any fruit with pits, check if they contain cyanide.

𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 – are fungi that can absorb toxins in the environment that they grow in. Additionally, mushrooms contain amatoxin, which can upset stomachs in some birds. Raw mushrooms are more dangerous to parrots than if they’re cooked. Some types contain higher amounts of amatoxin, making them toxic. This may result in digestive issues, neurological damage, and muscle aches.

Mushrooms, if they’re not safely farmed, may be harmful to parrots, even when cooked.

𝗥𝗮𝘄 𝗥𝗵𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗯 – contains oxalic acid, a compound naturally found in many plants. When oxalic acid is bound to minerals, it forms a compound called oxalates. Many leafy greens or seeds contain this compound and are still safe for parrots but rhubarb contains a higher amount, making it dangerous when fed raw. Cooking rhubarb will reduce the amount.

𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 – should never be fed to your parrot.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥

This article is produced by SAVetshops, in the interest of informing people and sharing information. It is not considered a reference article or a definitive medical reference. Source references are listed below and any person wishing to know more should consult these references, their local vet, state health service or doctor.

𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦:

PETA, Katherine Sullivan – https://www.peta.org/living/animal-companions/foods-rabbits-shouldnt-eat/

Newsweek, Tom Fish – https://www.newsweek.com/can-hamsters-eat-grapes-fruits-pet-foods-avoid-1676189

PDSA UK – https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/small-pets/your-hamsters-diet

All About Parrots, Carrie Stephens – https://www.allaboutparrots.com/foods-that-parrots-should-not-eat/