Lunar New Year 'Off-Limits' Food List! 5 Things Never to Feed Your Pet
- Feb 16
- 2 min read
During the Chinese New Year, delicious food is abundant, but while indulging your taste buds, be sure to watch out for these "pet killers" hidden in the festive atmosphere! Veterinarians remind us that cases of gastroenteritis surge every year after the New Year. Please be sure to avoid the following forbidden foods.
Level 1: Highly Toxic Danger Zone
Chocolate and Candy:
The "theobromine" in chocolate stimulates a pet's nervous system and is difficult for their bodies to metabolize. "Xylitol (a sugar alcohol)" found in sugar-free candies and gum causes a massive release of insulin in dogs and cats, leading to a rapid drop in blood sugar. This can result in vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, rapid breathing, muscle tremors, seizures, and in severe cases, coma or liver failure leading to death.
Onions and Garlic:
These ingredients contain "disulfides," which destroy a pet's red blood cells, causing hemolytic anemia.
Macadamia Nuts:
Highly toxic to dogs and cats! Even a very small amount of macadamia nuts can trigger severe neurological symptoms such as vomiting, weakness, hind limb paralysis, and muscle tremors.
Level 2: Physical Injury Zone
New Year's Rice Cake (Nian Gao) and Mochi:
Why are they dangerous? Glutinous rice products are extremely sticky and can easily become lodged directly in the throat or windpipe, causing "suffocation." They are also very difficult to digest and can remain stuck in the gastrointestinal tract.
Chicken Bones and Fish Bones:
Why are they dangerous? Chicken and fish bones become sharp after cooking. When chewed, the resulting sharp fragments can easily puncture a pet's mouth, esophagus, or even cause gastrointestinal perforation or bleeding.
Level 3: Health Burden Zone
High-Fat, High-Salt New Year's Dishes:
Human New Year's dishes are typically cooked with large amounts of oil, salt, and soy sauce for flavor. Consuming these can significantly increase the burden on a pet's liver and kidneys, triggering vomiting, diarrhea, or even acute pancreatitis.
Grapes:
Can cause acute kidney failure in dogs and cats. While the exact toxic mechanism is still unknown, numerous cases have confirmed their danger.
Your pet's health is the greatest blessing. During the New Year, please guard their mouths and keep food safely out of reach on the table!
When farewell is an act of love, let PETMENTO create a warm and dignified goodbye for your pet.
Petmento Pet Funeral Services
📍 Reserve an Appointment for Visiting or Contact for Enquiries
📞 +852 9696 8082 / 2111 1969
Comments