Keep off the table: foods that are poisonous to pets

When your dog looks up at you with those sweet eyes, you may want to slip it a bite from the table. But animals' bodies work differently from ours. Even small amounts of the foods below can make pets ill.

Never give

• Chocolate and cocoa (dogs, cats, birds) — dark chocolate is the most dangerous.
• Grapes and raisins (dogs) — can damage the kidneys.
• Onions, garlic and leeks (dogs, cats) — cooked ones too.
• Xylitol (dogs) — a sweetener in sugar-free gum, sweets and some toothpastes.
• Avocado (birds and rabbits) — especially dangerous for birds.
• Coffee, tea and energy drinks (all pets) — caffeine strains the heart.
• Alcohol (all pets).
• Macadamia nuts (dogs).
• Cooked bones (dogs, cats) — they splinter into sharp pieces.
• Salty snacks (all pets, especially birds).

Lesser-known dangers

Lilies are highly toxic to cats: chewing a leaf, or even licking pollen off their fur, is dangerous. If you have a cat, keep lilies out of the house. And milk: most adult cats can't digest it, and it can give them a tummy ache. Give your cat fresh water, not milk.