Holiday Foods on the Naughty List

We all love to indulge around the holidays, especially when it comes to food. Unfortunately, tossing your pet table scraps as a “treat” can cause unnecessary upset to his/her digestive system. Read our recommendations before including Fido or Fluffy at the dinner table this year. Your pet’s tummy will thank you!

Bones 

You may think your canine (or feline) would love to gnaw on a turkey leg, but, the truth is, bones can be extremely dangerous to your pet. A bone could splinter and perforate the intestine, or it could get lodged in the mouth, throat, or gastrointestinal tract. In either case, you don't want to have to take Fido or Fluffy in for emergency surgery for the holidays, so it's best to just avoid the possibility entirely!

Instead: All white meat turkey can be a wonderful treat in moderation. Just make sure to remove all of the bones and skin.

Raisins & Grapes 

Even a small amount of raisins can be extremely problematic to your dog as they contain toxins that can cause kidney damage. Some cranberry sauce and stuffing recipes call for raisins, so be on alert when checking these dishes.

Instead: Some pet foods contain cranberry, so if your pet is already used to it, plain cranberries are a better option.

Cookies

Many cookies contain chocolate and/or nuts, which are no-no’s. It’s probably no shock that chocolate is a danger to your pet. It doesn't take much, either! A potentially lethal dose of chocolate for a 16lb. animal is only 2oz. of baker’s chocolate. The main nut offender is the macadamia, which is toxic to pets. As few as 6 macadamia nuts can have a serious effect on your pet impacting his/her digestive tract, nervous system, and skeletal muscles.

Instead: We recommend sticking with whichever brand of doggie “cookies” and/or kitty treats your pet prefers. 

Onion

Onions are predominantly problematic for kitties, although it's good to avoid them with dogs as well. Common holiday dishes containing onion are stuffing, gravy, and green bean casserole. Beyond the use of onion, these dishes are far too rich for your pet to handle.

Instead: Your dog can enjoy plain veggies if s/he is used to them in his/her diet.

However; avoid corn on the cob, which can break off and create blockage similar to ingesting a bone.

If you’re looking for a healthy reward your dog will absolutely love you for; take him/her for a long walk! It will also give you a chance to walk off all of those extra holiday calories. And for your cat, an extra play session or two will be very appreciated.

Remember: any sudden change in diet can cause gastrointestinal upset in your pet. If your pet is vomiting, has diarrhea, or is showing any abnormal behavior, we recommend calling your veterinarian immediately. If you believe that s/he has ingested something toxic, you may also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control. 

While we always hope everyone has a happy, healthy and safe holiday, we're here 24/7 for any pet emergencies you may have!

Infographic by Dogster.com