During the holidays, it’s common for us to indulge in some tasty treats and fun activities, and make some exceptions when it comes to dietary restrictions. When it comes to our pets, though, it’s important to keep diets and routine as close to normal as possible. It’s especially important to steer pets clear of unhealthy and potentially toxic foods, seasonal plants, and decorations.
Food
It may be tempting to share our holiday feasts with our four-legged friends. However, in order to avoid a holiday vet visit, be sure to do your research before sharing a snack with Fido, whether sweet or savory.
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Chocolate is infamously known for its toxicity to dogs. It contains theobromine, which affects the heart rate, nervous system, and kidneys. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the greater the risk it poses to your pooch. To be safe, avoid giving any chocolate to your canine, as well as anything containing artificial sweeteners.
- Alcohol can have similar effects on dogs as it does in humans by causing dizziness and drowsiness. It’s significantly more toxic to dogs than humans, though, and can also cause difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhea, and low blood sugar. Keep drinks out of reach and clean up spills as soon as possible to keep Fido from accidentally consuming alcohol.
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Grapes and raisins are also known for being toxic to dogs (along with currants and sultanas). For this reason, keep traditional foods such as Christmas pudding and mince pies away from your pup. Fortunately, cranberries are no problem!
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Alliums (onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives) are dangerous for dogs, whether cooked or uncooked. They can cause digestive issues as well as red blood cell damage, leading to anaemia.
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Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, and mobility issues for dogs within 12 hours of ingestion. To be safe, limit sharing your macadamia nuts with your decorative nutcracker.
- Cooked bones are dangerous to dogs as they can easily break and splinter, causing damage to your dog’s digestive tract once ingested. When preparing your holiday feast, keep all meat out of reach and dispose of trash outside where your dog can’t rummage through it.
If you’re concerned about digestion issues with your dog, consider Pet Honesty’s Digestive Support Chews, which are safe for dogs with sensitive stomachs and boost the overall performance of the digestive system. (Please note that these are to be used as supplemental support and should not be used in place of a visit to the vet.)
Plants
Seasonal plants can make for nice decorations, but they could also cause damage if ingested by your dog. If it’s impossible to keep your decorative plants out of reach from your pooch, it may be a good idea to invest in some fake plants instead.
Gifts and Decorations
Wrapping and opening gifts, setting out decorations and gazing at the festive lights are all moments we’re fond of when it comes to the holidays. To keep these memories peaceful, be aware of hazardous items around the house.
Additionally, if you’re planning on hosting guests for the holidays, consider that this could be overwhelming for your pet—it’s always a good idea to make sure Fido has a safe space to escape to if he needs a break. Pet Honesty’s Premium Hemp Calming Chews can help to soothe an anxious dog in times of stress.
Sources:
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/christmas-dangers-dogs
https://www.vets-now.com/2016/11/21-christmas-dangers-dog/
https://www.medvetforpets.com/12-dangerous-holiday-pet-hazards/
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/holiday-safety-tips