PERTH’S PET OWNERS URGED TO SCRAP HUMAN FOOD FOR DOGS

SHARING is not necessarily caring when it comes to certain foods and pets.

While our furry friends have proven a source of comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also put them at an increased risk for gastrointestinal upsets and disease, with a reported rise in insurance claims for these conditions.

“I think we can all agree that COVID-19 has not been very nice for our waistlines, sadly this is also the case for many of our pets,” Pet Insurance Australia’s Nadia Crighton said.

“Overindulgence in human-type foods during lockdowns and extended home-time could be the cause of many upset stomachs for our pets.”

Crighton said pets could not tolerate many human foods and too many treats from your plate could lead to stomach complaints and more serious complications.

“Many high-fat foods such as butter, meat drippings and greasy foods can cause pancreatitis in dogs, so they are best avoided at all costs,” she said.

RSPCA WA animal and enforcement operations executive manager Hannah Dreaver said while it was normal to want to spoil your pet, she recommended dog treats be limited to a small portion of commercial food, a safe morsel of human food — such as raw meat — or pet-safe treats you have made yourself.

“Your pet may love indulging in human foods, but some ingredients can be harmful to their health,” Dreaver said.

“Alcohol, chocolate, coffee and grapes, to name a few, are toxic to pets and should be kept well away from prying paws. You should also keep high-fat human foods, such as sausages or meat offcuts, to a minimum.

“Never feed your pet cooked bones as these can splinter, causing obstructions, which can be fatal.”

For more information on which foods and plants are toxic to pets, and for general pet care advice, visit RSPCA’s Knowledgebase at kb.rspca.org.au.