According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the following foods could be harmful or potentially deadly to dogs and cats:

• Coffee grounds
• Chocolate
• Yeast dough
• Macadamia nuts
• Fatty foods
• Avocado
• Grapes/raisins
• Onions
• Tea
• Alcohol
• Salt
• Garlic
• Chewing gum, candy and breath fresheners containing xylitol
• Garbage - rotting foods contain molds or bacteria that could produce food poisoning

Poisons

Lawn fertilizers, plant foods and insecticides can be dangerous to pets. Read labels carefully before purchasing. Dogs and cats get residue on their paws when running through an area where chemicals have been applied, then become poisoned when they lick their paws later.

Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitos. Take your pet for regular veterinary checkups. Heartworm disease can affect both dogs and cats. The rate of incidence for cats is much lower than that for dogs, but cats should still be protected in areas where mosquitos are rampant.

Check around sheds, garages, crawl spaces and other areas for charcoal lighter fluid, antifreeze, gasoline, paint products and other lawn products. Make sure they are stored so that pets cannot get into them and become poisoned.

Many garden and houseplants are toxic to pets. Place your houseplants where pets cannot eat them. Azaleas, daffodils, lily of the valley, yew, dieffenbachia, caladium and philodendron are jst a few that are dangerous. There are over 700 species of plants poisonous to pets in all.