Introducing Paws Off!, the first-of-its-kind warning symbol for human foods and drinks that should never be shared with dogs or cats. Rather than appear as an ominous warning symbol, Paws Off! educates in a fun and human way.

JUST AS WE PROBABLY SHOULDN’T BE NIBBLING ON SCHMACKOS, DOGS REALLY SHOULDN’T EAT EVERYTHING PEOPLE DO. And while most people are aware that chocolate is toxic for dogs, many foods that might seem unremarkable (bread, leeks, nuts, grapes, the list is long) are poison for pooches.

One in three pet owners in New Zealand are ‘in the dark about the everyday foods and drinks which can be harmful – or even fatal – to their beloved furry friends,’ according to recent research from Southern Cross Pet Insurance, which recently launched the clearly much needed Paws Off! initiative.

Billed as ‘the world’s first freely available warning symbol alerting pet owners to toxic ingredients in human food and drink’ and supported by the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), Paws Off! is working to ‘change the face of pet food safety forever’ by rallying brands and marketers to protect cats and dogs from human foods that can make them ill through using the labelling system on product packaging.