21/12/2024
Be prepared for those who think giving a little “treat” to your dog might be not a good idea this festive season, education is the best preventative to keeping your dog happy and healthy!!
With Christmas just around the corner, we are all planning our Christmas feasts for friends and family, but have you thought about the furkids?
Did you know that Christmas food can be a serious issue for our pets, we all know how hard it can be to not give them treats and share the things that we are enjoying at this time of year, however it can be extremely dangerous to their health. So here is a list of some of the worst things you can give them and why they are on the naughty list!
Grapes and raisins
No one knows exactly why and how these are poisonous to dogs, and the exact volume needed to cause symptoms is difficult to predict.
Christmas pudding and mince pies
These are full of currants, raisins and sultanas, which are toxic to dogs. Fat and suet can also cause severe stomach troubles, and they’re usually laced with alcohol which is also poisonous to dogs.
Chocolate
In large enough amounts, chocolate and cocoa products can lead to gastrointestinal upsets, seizures or even kill your dog. Make sure chocolate coins, decorations and presents are kept out of reach.
Bones
Cooked bones are brittle and splinter easily, which can lead to larger fragments getting ‘stuck’ causing obstructions and smaller causing gut irritation and perforation.
Don’t leave bones anywhere they can be found! Poultry is hollow-boned and the bones splinter whether raw or cooked and so must never be given to your dog under any circumstances. Turkey stuffing and gravy can also cause upset tummies.
Onions, Garlic, Chives
These can cause stomach upsets and could lead to red blood cell damage. It takes a few days for signs of poisoning to appear.
Macadamia nuts
Within 12 hours of ingestion these can cause dogs to experience weakness (especially in the hind limbs) and depression, tremors, vomiting and increased temperature lasting for 12 to 48 hours.
Fat
Ham rind or the drippings from the BBQ tray can lead to upset stomachs or pancreatitis.
