THINGS NOT TO GIVE YOUR PET

__Aspirin - as with people aspirin can cause stomach ulcers and affect platelet function leading to bleeding. Aspirin is a very effective pain reliever but does have some serious side effects. There are a few instances when aspirin will be recommended for your dog or cat but only use it if told specifically by your veterinarian. If you are changing veterinarians, your pet gets sick or is scheduled for surgery make sure you inform the veterinarian if your pet is on aspirin. Aspirin can kill cats with very few doses.

__ Bones - raw or cooked, chicken or beef or pork. Bones are often given to dogs as a treat but they can and have been known to cause many problems from mild to severe vomiting and diarrhea, intestinal obstructions (knuckle bones) requiring surgical removal, intestinal perforation (especially with chicken bones), pancreatitis and even bacterial enteritis such as E.coli and Salmonella.

__ Grapes or raisins- There have been several reports of dogs developing kidney failure after eating grapes and raisins. It is not known yet why this occurs.

__ Ibuprofen - can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats.

__ NSAIDs - these are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and Tylenol already discussed above but also include all the other over the counter medications available for people such as Aleve, Naproxene, Celebrexx. They all can cause bleeding problems, liver or kidney damage or failure.

__ Onions - can cause changes in the blood and cause anemia and liver damage.

__ String toys to cats - contrary to the popular opinion that a ball of yarn is a great cat toy. String objects can kill cats by creating a linear foreign body in the intestinal tract and causing serious life threatening damage to the intestines.

__ Tylenol - one single adult Tylenol can kill a cat. It causes liver failure and damages red blood cells in dogs and cats. Do not give this to your pet under any circumstance.