As the holidays approach we should be aware of the possible risks to our pets that may be associated with our celebrations. Below are some of the foods to keep away from your pet during the holidays.
- Chocolate contains methylxanthines. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is
- Xylitol (an artificial sweeter) found in many candy and sugar free baked goods can lead to liver failure
- Fatty foods are hard for dogs to digest and can lead to gastroenteritis or pancreatitis
- Turkey bones can damage your dogs gastrointestinal tract
- Raw or under cooked turkey or eggs may contain salmonella bacteria
- Raw bread dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s stomach and can end up being life threatening
- Onions, Garlic, Chives or foods cooked with these ingredients, these can lead to stomach upset or damage the red blood cells in the body
- Raisins, currents and grapes can lead to kidney failure
- Alcoholic beverages, even a small amount can be dangerous
Toxic plants and flowers include:
- Baby’s Breath
- Amaryllis
- Sweet William
- Some ferns
- Hydrangeas
Some signs of distress to look out for include:
- Any sudden changes in behavior
- Vomiting, or diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Not wanting to eat
Contact your veterinarian immediately or take your pet to the emergency clinic if you suspect that your pet is ill from eating foods, plants or holiday decorations.
You can still celebrate with your pets and offer small amounts of lean, skinless, boneless meats if they have tolerated that in the past or small pieces of fresh vegetables such as carrots, green beans and pumpkin puree or sweet potato.
Be safe and enjoy the holidays!!!
