It feels good to treat your pets to human food every once in awhile. Well a warning for all you pet owners, many of the foods we enjoy could be dangerous to our furry friends.

Bad News Foods

Avocados

They contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals.This fruit is very toxic to dogs, cats and most animals.

Beer

Alcoholic beverages can cause the same damage to an animal's liver and brain as they cause in humans. But the effects can be deadly on animals since they are much smaller than us. The smaller the animal, the more deadly the effects can be. Even a small amount of alcohol may cause vomiting and damage the liver and brain.

Nuts

Walnuts and macadamia nuts are especially toxic.Effects can be anything from vomiting to paralysis to death. Within 12 hours of eating the nuts, pets start to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand or walk, vomiting, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), weakness, and an elevated heart rate. These symptoms can be even worse if your dog eats some chocolate with the nuts. The effect can cause kidney failure.often leading to death.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large quantities. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous. Giving you pup a piece of chocolate cake or even letting him lick the chocolate icing on the cake could cause him to become ill. Theobromine can also cause a dog or cats hear to beat very rapidly or irregularly, which could result in death if the pet is exercising or overly active.

Candy

Candy or anything containing Xylitol (a common sweetener found in some diet products) can cause a sudden drop in an animal's blood sugar. loss of coordination and seizures. If left untreated, the animal could die.

Grapes and raisins

Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill them. And the effects are cumulative, which means that even if a dog eats just one or two grapes or raisins regularly, the toxin that builds in his system will eventually kill him.

Onions

Onions are another common food that can he highly toxic to pets. The can destroy an animal's red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness and breathing difficulties. Their effects are also cumulative over time.

Medicine
Hide medicine from your pets just like you would from your children.

Good News Foods
Always consult your veterinarian before introducing any new food.

Lean Meats
Any cooked lean meat should be fine for most dogs. High fat meats, chicken skin and fat from steaks or roasts are not recommended. Ingestion may lead to gastrointestinal upset or even pancreatitis, a very painful condition for dogs. Never give your pet meat with the bone in it. Animals can choke on the bones, and they can splinter as well.

Vegetables
Carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices an zucchini slices are OK.

Fruit
Apple slices, orange slice, bananas and watermelon are all OK, just make sure you remove the seeds.

Baked potatoes
Plain baked potatoes are fine, make sure they are cooked- no unripe potatoes or potato plants.

Bread
Plain cooked bread is fine, minus the nuts or raisins.

Rice and pasta
Plain, cooked pasta and white rice are OK.

In Case of an Emergency
The Animal Poison Control Center encourages all pet owners to keep the telephone numbers of their local veterinarian near by, just in case an accident does happen.