Christmas is over, and you likely have a fridge packed full of leftovers. If you want to share these leftovers with the whole family – including your dog – then there are some things you need to know.
While some Christmas treats are perfectly safe for dogs, others will make them very sick and could even kill them. That’s why it’s crucial to know which ingredients and items are safe for dogs, so they can have a special treat as well. Paul Manktelow, chief vet at national pet charity, Blue Cross, has shared the eight things dogs can eat – and the ones they should never ever be given.
A survey conducted by M&S has revealed that 36% of pet owners admit to giving their pets more treats or food than usual over the festive period and if you’re one of them, Paul has a warning for you.
He said: “Common Christmas foods and ingredients including chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, and alcohol can all make pets ill and sometimes even be deadly. Even a very small quantity of raisins can cause kidney failure in some dogs, so sharing mince pies and Christmas pudding is definitely out.”
He warned that wrapping won’t stop a keen cat or dog from getting into food, so it’s important to make sure dangerous foods are kept well out of reach.
Paul said: “Our teams treated a cat who had broken into his owner’s Christmas hamper and devoured half a boozy fruit cake.”
When it comes to meat, make sure anything you decide to donate to the dog doesn’t have any bones in it.
Turkey, chicken or other meat have bones that can become lodged in animals’ mouths or intestines, and this can sometimes mean surgery – not how you want to spend your Christmas break.
If you’re going to feed some leftovers to your dog, this is what they can safely eat
Turkey meat (without skin or bones)Green beansBrussels sproutsParsnipsCarrotsPeasSwedeMashed potato (without butter)
Even these safe foods need to be treated with caution, however. Much like people, if your pets overindulge, they might end up with stomach issues.
Paul said: “The commonest problems are caused by sudden changes in diet or over-eating and it’s quite common to see tummy upsets in the days following Christmas.
“Most aren’t serious, but an especially rich or fatty meal can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.
“To keep pets healthy over Christmas, it’s really best to stick to their regular food. If you want to give treats, keep amounts small and stick to bland food such as turkey meat.”
