19/12/2024
Not all holiday treats are safe for our furry friends! 🚫 This Christmas, be mindful of the following foods that can be harmful to pets:
🍫 Chocolate – Contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs and cats. Symptoms include - vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, increased heart rate, and in some cases, seizures.
🍇 Grapes and Raisins – These can cause kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts. They are often found in fruit cake and other common Christmas recipes.
🧅 Onions, Garlic, and Chives – Common in holiday cooking, these can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia in both dogs and cats.
🥓 Rich, Fatty Foods – Turkey and chicken skin, bacon, ham, gravy, and other buttery/oily dishes can lead to pancreatitis, a serious and painful condition.
🍗 Cooked Bones – While they may seem like a treat, cooked bones can splinter easily, causing choking, internal injuries, or blockages in your pet’s digestive system.
🍭 Xylitol – Found in many of our favourite sweets, this artificial sweetener can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, leading to seizures or liver failure.
Keep your pets safe this festive season by sticking to their regular diet and avoiding table scraps. They’ll thank you with happy purrs and wagging tails! 🎄🎅🏽🐶🐱
If you suspect that your pet has eaten something toxic during our Christmas closure, please call the Melbourne Animal Specialist Hospital (MASH) on 1800 838 787. ☎️
