20/12/2024
Santa is coming to town, so is your dog’s Christmas dinner on the naughty or nice list?
On the nice list ✅
These foods are safe for your pooch in moderation. Just because you can handle seconds and thirds, doesn’t mean your dog’s stomach can! Offer them the same amount of food as always and try to avoid introducing anything new if your dog has any special dietary needs that may make some of the foods listed unsuitable for them.
Turkey 🍗 Turkey can be a high protein treat for dogs, a small slice of skinless turkey crown, cooked through and not seasoned with things like garlic and onion, which can irritate the gut is fine.
Chicken 🐔 Like with turkey, be sure it’s skinless, cooked through and unseasoned. Make sure to avoid bones, as these could splinter in the stomach or become lodged in the throat.
Carrot 🥕 Both raw and cooked carrots are a healthy option for your dog. Make sure raw carrots are cut into bite-sized chunks to avoid choking.
Peas 🫛 Peas are packed with minerals and nutrients, and it’s safe for your dog to eat them on occasion. You can offer them fresh or frozen, but it’s best to avoid canned as they may be high in salt.
Parsnips 🍠 Parsnips are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre, as well as folate, potassium and manganese. Offer them in moderation and mix them in with their usual food. Also be sure the skins are washed thoroughly.
Sprouts 💨 These can be a healthy snack for your dog. Serve them cooked as raw sprouts can be difficult to digest, especially if your dog has a sensitive gut.
Cauliflower 🧀 While the cheese sauce of cauliflower cheese may be too rich for your dog’s tummy, plain cooked cauliflower is a great option. It’s non-toxic and high in fibre.
Potatoes 🥔 If they are cooked, potatoes are fine for your dog to enjoy in moderation. Roasted potatoes can be a safe option for your dog, provided they are not cooked with excessive seasonings or fat.
On the naughty list ❌
If these foods had a stocking, they’d be getting a lump of coal! Make sure you avoid your pet consuming these, as they can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Christmas puddings and mince pies 🥧 These festive treats usually contain raisins, which alongside sultanas and currants, can all cause acute kidney failure and, in some cases, prove fatal. Even a small bite could prove dangerous, so always keep out of reach.
Blue Cheese 🧀 Blue cheese uses a fungus that produces a substance called roquefortine C. Dogs can be extremely sensitive to this, and it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperatures and even seizures.
Chicken on the bone 🦴 Chicken can be an excellent source of protein for your pet, but be sure it’s cooked thoroughly to avoid food poisoning. Chicken bones are dangerous, whether cooked or not, as they can get lodged in a dog’s throat, or splinter and cause a puncture.
Chocolate 🍫 Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which are toxic for dogs. They not only cause stimulation of the central nervous system and heart, but can act like a diuretic and lead to dehydration. The darker the chocolate the more poisonous it is.
Raw potatoes 🥔 Raw potatoes contain solanine, which is a compound that can be toxic to dogs. Cooking potatoes reduces the amount of solanine but many seasonings, such as garlic and onion powder, can be toxic too.
Garlic 🧄 Whether raw or cooked, garlic is toxic for dogs due to a compound called thiosulfate. If your pet consumes enough, it could even prove fatal without medical intervention.
Onions, leeks and shallots 🥬 Onions, leeks and shallots are in the same food family as garlic and all of these can cause stomach and gut irritation. They can also lead to red blood cell damage and anaemia.
Pork 🍖 Pork can be very fatty, which makes it dangerous for dogs as high in fat foods can lead to life threatening pancreatitis. Raw or undercooked pork meat may contain trichinella parasites, which can be harmful for both dogs and humans.
https://www.vets-now.com/christmas/dogs-christmas-dinner/