When you have pets and care for them, you make sure that they are protected and healthy. However, there are many instances that your pets wander around and nibble on something. They can bite on human foods that can be highly toxic. Pet metabolisms are completely different than human digestion systems, so do not assume that all human foods are safe for dogs and cats.

Read on to know about human foods that can cause pet deaths.

1. Coffee and any food containing caffeine
Dogs are highly sensitive to any food that contains caffeine. It is commonly found in coffee and tea. While caffeine consumption in moderation is nourishing for the human body, it can drastically affect your dog. It can lead to an increase in the heart rate while simultaneously affecting the nervous system. Caffeine toxicity is dependent on the amount of caffeine consumed, which can even lead to lung failure or fluctuation in heartbeats, causing death.

2. Raisins and grapes
Raisins and grapes are found to be highly toxic to dogs. While more research is needed to determine the exact reason, consuming a handful of raisins can lead to kidney failure. You can detect early signs of kidney failure if you notice that your dog is thirsty and is passing only small amounts of urine. A kidney failure can be fatal, especially if your dog is already sick. Vomiting and diarrhea can be signs of grapes toxicity so take your dog to the vet immediately.

3. Alcohol
Alcohol toxicity in dogs and cats is based on the quantity consumed and size of the pet. Ethanol concentration varies across alcoholic beverages. Light beer and ale have relatively lower concentrations of ethanol than gin and tequila. Advanced alcohol toxicity can be identified by a slow heart rate and ragged breathing. Your pet might even show signs of depression, and death can be induced by respiratory distress or low blood sugar levels.

4. Chocolate
Chocolate contains two components that negatively affect their digestion and metabolism; theobromine and caffeine. While nibbling on small bits of chocolate will not be fatal, minor symptoms can become more progressive if higher concentrations of chocolate are consumed. Internal bleeding and muscle tremors can occur, followed by a heart attack. Unsweetened baking chocolate and cocoa powder are highly dangerous and have the highest chances of causing death.

5. Avocado
Any part of the avocado plant is toxic as the bark, fruit, and leaves contain persin. It can lead to vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, and the symptoms can progress based on the sensitivity to persin. It can lead to accumulation of fluid in the chest and lungs, resulting in breathing difficulties and deprivation of oxygen, leading to death if appropriate treatment measures are not taken.