07/12/2024
It’s that time of the year again…….🎄🥂
At last the festive season is here and many of our houses will be full with festive food, drinks , decorations and gifts. Our dogs will be enjoying the festive season with us but there can be lots of hidden dangers for them.
🍇 Christmas pudding/cake and mince pies: Did you know that grapes are toxic to dogs and if eaten, even in a small quantity, can cause severe kidney failure. Grapes include raisins, sultanas and currants and are contained in lots of our festive goodies.
🍫 Chocolate : who doesn't love chocolate......... This contains a chemical called THEOBROMINE which is toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperactivity, tremors and seizures. The darker the chocolate the more potent the theobromine becomes so make sure you keep all chocolate well out of your dogs reach
🧄 Onions, garlic, shallots, leeks and chives are all found in our Christmas food. Whether cooked or uncooked these can cause toxicity which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. This can also cause damage to the red blood cells causing anaemia, this may not be apparent for several days
🥂 Alcohol will be enjoyed by everyone over the festive period but it must be kept out of your dogs reach. They can become wobbly and disorientated and in severe cases there is a risk of low body temperature, low blood sugar and coma.
🍭 Sweets are plentiful during the Christmas period but many of them will contain Xylitol which is an artificial sweetener and highly poisonous to dogs. This can cause the release of insulin in the body resulting in low blood sugar and liver damage. Signs can be rapid or delayed and include vomiting, lethargy, convulsions and coma. It is worth noting that Xylitol can also be found in chewing gum, toothpaste, mouthwash and plenty of our everyday food items
There will be lots of toys, plastic bits and bobs and decorations around the house and your dog will want to investigate and join in the fun. Remember things like this can be swallowed and cause an obstruction.
There are many other food hazards including blue cheese, mushrooms, fatty foods, avocado and some nuts. Some Christmas plants are also toxic to dogs such as Poinsietta, mistletoe, holly and Christmas trees
If your dog has eaten something it shouldn't or is showing any of the above signs it is essential that you seek veterinary help immediately. It is worth making a note of your vets telephone number and the emergency cover so if the worse does happen you are prepared and can make contact with the vets quickly.
Keep an eye on your dog and keep them safe during the festive period