Christmas is full of tempting treats, but not all of them are safe for pets. From chocolate, to stuffing, to rich gravies, and festive desserts, the dinner table can pose some serious risks. But, with a little care, there are plenty of pet-friendly foods which can allow your pets to join in the fun safely.
Firstly, it is always best to keep food out of thieving paws, even if you think it’s a safe food it’s bad for any pet to over indulge on treats as it can cause an upset tummy. However, in moderation those treats, especially ones made specifically for dogs, cats or small animals, are a great addition to festivities.
Photo by Kostya Levit Naddubov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-dog-844454/
Vets usually see around a 70% rise in cases in which owners think their pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have over the Christmas period, so it’s always important to keep an eye out and make sure everything is kept safe.
Which foods are bad?
Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-slicing-meat-on-table-5848011/
There is (unfortunately) a huge range of Christmas foods which are bad for dogs and cats over the festive season. Some could just cause an upset tummy while others are outright dangerous for your pet to eat. So, here’s a handy list of those to watch out for:
Onions:
These are a big one this includes garlic, leek, shallots, and chives. Onions are completely toxic to dogs and cats and can cause some very serious issues. They are dangerous in every form that they are eaten (powdered, raw, and cooked), so make sure to keep these off of your pets Christmas plate.
Cooked Bones:
Dogs love a bone, right? Well unfortunately bones from your turkey or goose can be very dangerous for your dog. Since they’re small, they can easily be swallowed and get lodged in your pet’s digestive tract. Cooked bones can be especially dangerous, as when chewed they can easily split into small pieces and become a choking hazard.
Photo by Jenna Hamra: https://www.pexels.com/photo/tabby-cat-lying-under-christmas-tree-with-gifts-770012/
Leftovers:
Once everyone has finished their dinner it can be tempting to leave your leftovers for your pets to polish off. Unfortunately there are a few things to watch out for Stuffing is a big one, often containing things such as onion, they are toxic. Gravy also needs to be watched out for since it can be incredibly rich and fatty, leading to a very unhappy tummy!
Christmas deserts:
Christmas pudding, mince pies and Christmas cakes are big no-no's for your pets they usually contain ingredients like sultanas and raisins which are toxic to dogs and cats. They also contain lots of sugar which can cause issues too.
Chocolate:
Famously, dogs and cats cannot have chocolate. It is toxic to them and can cause some very serious issues. It’s best to always keep any selection boxes or chocolate bars out of reach. However, if you think your pet has ingested some chocolate, a good tool to use is the Chocolate Toxicity Calculator. There is a couple online which you can use to figure out what your next step should be bear in mind that this is no substitute for professional advice and that contacting your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic is always the safest option.
Here is a link to one as an example:https://www.vetcalculators.com/chocolate.html
Other things to keep in mind:
It goes without saying, pets shouldn’t be drinking alcohol (even if you’re lucky to have a pet over the age of 18!). It’s definitely worth being mindful of where you’re putting your bottles of alcohol, just in case they get into the wrong paws. Things such as macadamia nuts and sweets should also be avoided.
Photo by ClickerHappy: https://www.pexels.com/photo/dog-christmas-xmas-bulldog-3884/
So, what can my pets eat?
There are still a huge range of things that are okay for pets to eat at Christmas! For dogs, they can have a few different festive meats such as turkey, salmon and lamb. Though it’s best to keep these as plain as possible, making sure there’s no skin or bones in there though not necessarily dangerous, if you’re giving them salmon, its best if it isn’t smoked.
There’s also a huge range of veg they can have, this includes brussels sprouts, peas, green beans, parsnips, carrots, swede, mashed potato (preferably without butter), new potatoes, and sweet potato.
For cats, this is largely the same, however they generally can’t handle as many treats or adventurous foods as dogs, so it’s best to keep portions to a minimum small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs can also get in on the action with some festive veg, though this is best fed raw rather than cooked. They can eat things such as carrots, coriander, basil, and parsley. Cranberries and brussels sprouts can also be eaten provided they are in very small quantities and served in their raw, natural form rather than in a sauce or dried.
It's best to give all these foods without any added ingredients treats are always going to be the safest and the healthiest they can be without any extras such as seasoning or oil.
Over the Christmas period, there are lots of new items in our homes so it is also worth mentioning that if you have a very curious pet, these things may be best kept out of reach. Things such as wires and batteries for Christmas lights are obvious ones, but look out for low hanging decorations such as baubles which pets may attempt to eat, along with plants such as the Christmas tree, poinsettias and mistletoe as these are also toxic.
Hopefully, your festive celebrations can go off without a hitch, especially if you know now what to look out for. However, if you do end up in a sticky situation there are helplines such as Animal Poison Line. They provide a24-hourveterinary advice service, specifically for pets who have eaten something which they shouldn’t. Based on the information you tell them, they can tell you whether your furry friend will need treatment. They do charge for their service, it costs between £35 and £45 per phone call depending on when you call them, but it would save you much more money than if you were to make an emergency appointment at the vets.
Their number is: 01202 50 9000
Lastly, enjoy! Christmas is a time for indulgence, but when it comes to pets, caution is key. By planning ahead, and offering safe alternatives, you can ensure your furry friends stay healthy while joining in on the celebrations.
Article By Beth Harrison
Comments