12/17/2024
HOLIDAY FOOD SAFETY FOR YOUR FUR BABY
With the holidays upon us, many of us will have holiday parties and celebrations with family. We want to provide a few safety tips to ensure your fur baby stays healthy.
1. If you are throwing a holiday party or hosting family for the holiday, ask them to refrain from feeding your fur baby. They may not be dog owners themselves and do not understand that there are foods that can seriously cause your dog harm.
2. You should never give your dog alcohol. Doing so can cause acidity levels to rise rapidly in your dog, leading to respiratory depression, hypothermia, and heart attacks.
3. Never give any bones since they can splinter and cause digestive issues that may require surgery.
4. Avoid giving them any type of citrus, fruit pits, grapes, or raisins. These can cause blockage and damage to their central nervous system.
5. Avoid raw or undercooked eggs and fish, as they can contain salmonella, which can cause food poisoning.

6. Many dogs have difficulty processing lactose like humans, so avoid dairy products.
7. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is toxic to your dog and can cause the pancreas to rapidly release insulin, leading to a dangerous drop in blood sugar. 
8. Avoid salt and other seasonings. Access sodium can lead to dehydration, vomiting, seizures, and even death. 
9. Never give your dog chocolate or coffee grounds, as these are highly toxic to pets.  Chocolate contains theobromine, which affects dogs' heart muscles and central nervous system. Dogs also have issues metabolizing caffeine. 
