Jackson Free Press

It is always tempting to throw the dog a bone off your plate, especially during the holidays, but some human foods are not safe for your pets.

Pets with unhealthy diets can suffer from urinary tract disease, kidney disease, dental disease, obesity, and other serious and costly illnesses, according to Born Free USA, a national animal advocacy non-profit organization. Everyone might not know the dangers of giving human food to pets, so it is best to go over the rules with visiting family members. Pay extra attention so that kids do not feed your dog or pet anything they shouldn't have.

Below are some of the foods that Dr. Katherine Scott and Dr. Audrey Cook of WebMD, an award-winning health-information website, suggest your animals should steer clear of.

Alcohol has the same effect on dogs' and cats' livers and brains as it does on humans' but in a shorter amount of time. It affects the central nervous system, coordination, breathing and can lead to death. A small amount can induce coma in cats.

Avocado contains persin, which in large amounts, can be poisonous to dogs. If you grow them at home, keep your dog away from the seeds, leaves, bark and fruit.

Onions and Garlic destroys dogs' and cats' red blood cells and could lead to anemia. Regular amounts, whether it's large or small portions, can cause poisoning, weakness and vomiting.

Caffeine can cause poisoning. Symptoms are restlessness, rapid breathing, muscle tremors and bleeding. Tea, coffee, coca, chocolate, sodas and energy drinks contain caffeine, as do some cold medicines and painkillers.

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure to both cats and dogs. It only takes a small amount to damage your pet. Repeated vomiting andhyperactivity are early symptoms.

Chocolate, lethal to both cats and dogs, not only contains caffeine, it contains theobromine, an agent that causes vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures and possibly death.

Dairy Products are harmful to both dogs and adult cats. It causes diarrhea, as their digestive systems cannot handle it. Dogs can develop allergies.

Fat and bones from table scraps can cause intestinal problems. Dogs and cats can choke on bones or suffer from internal lacerations due to bone splinters.