I’m a vet, these are the Christmas leftovers that you should never give your dog – bones can cause havoc for starters
UNLESS you had some seriously hungry guests, many of us will have been left with mountains of leftovers from yesterday’s Christmas dinners.
And while it may be tempting to treat your pooch to the odd scrap, vets say owners should avoid doing so unless they fancy a trip to the vet.
With toxic ingestion claims peaking in December in recent years, Animal Friends Pet Insurance have teamed up with Dr. Sam Webster to reveal exactly what you can and can’t feed your dog over the Christmas period…
Pigs in blankets
Dr. Sam says: ”Pigs in blankets, and other fatty meats, could lead to pet obesity and pancreatitis.
As much as your pup might beg for a meaty treat, it’s best to avoid giving them these. Instead, stick to unseasoned lean meat such as chicken or turkey.”
Gravy
Dr. Sam comments: “Gravy often has high salt and fat content. You must avoid this, especially in dogs with heart disease or a history of pancreatitis.”
Mince pies, stollen, or Christmas Pudding
Dr. Sam shares: “Raisins, sultanas and grapes are extremely toxic for dogs and must always be avoided – even small amounts can be dangerous, so refrain from feeding your pup any dessert that has any of these ingredients.
“Mince pies and other puddings with a high nut and sugar content may also cause pancreatitis.”
Cooked bones
Dr. Sam says: “Cooked bones are not safe for dogs due to them commonly causing constipation, intestinal obstruction or even perforation, piercing a painful hole to internal organs which can be life-threatening.”
Stuffing
Dr. Sam comments: “Dogs should avoid stuffing as it has a high salt and fat content which can be difficult to digest, dogs with heart disease should especially avoid it. Stuffing also often contains onions which are highly toxic to dogs.”
Onion, garlic, or any bulb vegetables
Dr. Sam says: “Bulb vegetables such as onions and garlic are toxic for dogs, very small amounts may not cause issues but should always be avoided to be safe.”
Yorkshire puddings
Dr. Sam shares: “Yorkshire puddings can be challenging for dogs to digest due to their high fat and salt content.”
Alcohol
Dr. Sam adds: “Alcohol is extremely toxic and can have long-lasting effects on their liver and brain.
“Dogs do not metabolise alcohol well and should never be given it – alcohol should also be stored out of a dog’s reach to avoid accidents.”
Chocolate
Dr. Sam comments: “Chocolate is highly toxic for dogs, it includes fat, sugar, caffeine and a bitter alkaloid, called theobromine, that can cause nervous system disorders as well as heart and kidney failure.
“Avoid any chocolate related products, e.g. hot chocolate, chocolate bars, chocolate cake.”
SYMPTOMS OF TOXIC INGESTION
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Convulsions
- Drooling
- Dehydration
- Tremors
- High temperature
- Agitation
- Pale gums
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Hyperactivity
- High blood pressure