Dog owners have been warned to keep certain foods away from their pets this Christmas
Dog owners throughout the UK have been warned to keep certain foods away from their pets this Christmas. While these foods aren’t exclusively consumed during the festive period, the popular items become more common during this season.
In their alert, the experts stressed that while you need to think about what your four-legged friend can and cannot have, you also need to consider timing and how you give the food to them. The Blue Cross advises: “New foods should always be introduced slowly, as too much can cause an upset tummy. Foods high in fat or salt should also be avoided.”
So, which foods are safe for dogs and which festive foods could be toxic? Here is what you need to know ahead of December 25.
Safe Christmas food for dogs
- turkey meat (no skin or bones)
- salmon (fillets or cooked in spring water are preferable to smoked salmon)
- lamb meat (no bones)
- green beans
- Brussels sprouts
- parsnips
- carrot
- peas
- swede
- mashed potato (best without added butter)
- new potatoes
- sweet potatoes
Toxic food for dogs – Christmas list
- chocolate – chocolate is toxic to dogs and even small amounts can cause serious illness. Find out what to do if you think your dog has eaten chocolate.
- Christmas pudding and mince pies – grapes and dried vine fruits, including currants, sultanas and raisins, can cause severe kidney failure if eaten
- onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and chives – these all belong to the allium species of plant and are poisonous to dogs whether cooked or uncooked. Avoid feeding foods that include these ingredients, such as gravy.
- alcohol – alcohol has a similar effect in dogs as it does in their owners. Make sure your dog can’t help themselves to any unattended alcohol left lying around.
- macadamia nuts – macadamia nuts can cause lethargy (tiredness), weakness in the back legs, increased body temperature, tremors and stiffness
- leftovers – don’t be tempted to give your dog leftover Christmas food – they can include hidden ingredients toxic to dogs and mould in leftovers can make them ill
- sweets – many of the sweets we eat over Christmas, such as candy canes, contain a sugar-free sweetener called xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs
If you are worried about your dog, please seek help from your vet or contact your out-of-hours emergency vet if you think they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t have, whether it’s a Christmas decoration or an unsafe food.
A Blue Cross spokesperson added: “If you think your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t, contact your vet for advice.”
