Christmas is a time of family, fun, and food, and with the celebrations around the corner, many of us can’t help but treat our furry friends.
However, a study has discovered that dogs are more likely to be treated at the vet for eating harmful foods around the festive seasons, so experts at Digital PR Agency have warned dog owners what Christmas foods to keep well away from their pets.
December is fast approaching, which means a lot of people are stocking up on advent calendars. Pet specialists say that dog owners should keep them well out of the way.
Chocolate
Chocolate is toxic to dogs because its quality makes it hard to digest, and experts have suggested that if your pet does end up accidentally swallowing some, you should contact a vet immediately.
Owners can also use a chocolate toxicity calculator to determine how severe the case so always keep the packaging so you know what they have eaten.
Mince Pies
Mince pies – a Christmas favourite, can also cause digestive issues such as vomiting, but in the worst-case scenario, mince pies can actually cause dogs kidney failure due to the tantric acid inside of the dried fruits.
Onion & garlic recipes
Anything containing onions and garlic is a big no. Whether cooked or raw, they are a serious threat to pets and should be kept well away from them.
Vegetables from the allium species, which also include shallots, leeks, and spring onions, can cause poisoning, with symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Gravy
Besides the fact that they may contain garlic and onion, the high amounts of sodium and fat can cause toxicity, leading to symptoms such as decreased appetite, excessive thirst, and a lack of energy.
So, as much as it may be something your dog would love, store-bought gravy should not be fed to them.
Christmas Pudding
As mentioned with the mince pies, raisins can be dangerous for pets, but the alcohol in the festive dessert also carries its own risks.
The consumption of alcohol can cause a lot of issues for dogs, including coordination issues, vomiting, and breathing problems.
Because dogs’ tolerance to alcohol is much lower than that of humans, their symptoms can quickly progress into more severe issues, including seizures.
Accidents can happen, and a dog might consume something it shouldn’t, but the important thing to note is that if you do find yourself in this situation, contact a vet as soon as possible.
And it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom; dogs can enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner, too. Boneless turkey with some homemade gravy from meat juices and a bit of plain boiled carrots will do them well.
