Holiday Food Dangers for Your Dog

Your kitchen probably produces many mouth-watering smells during the holidays that entice your dog. However, not all tasty morsels are good for the family pet. In this article, we will explore holiday food dangers for your dog.

Holiday Foods Not to Feed Your Dog

The table is set, and Fido is probably drooling in anticipation. He is hoping that you or the holiday guests will snake him a few bites from the table. Yes, he looks cute and sweet begging, but it is imperative that you refrain from giving your canine ‘people’ food which can easily upset his stomach. In fact, there are a great many holiday food dangers for your dog. 

Poultry Bones

The turkey is often the centerpiece of any meal. Every dog wants a bite of turkey and hopes for the opportunity to gnaw on one of the bones. However, a cooked turkey bone is dangerous. It can easily shatter into shards that will penetrate not only the dog’s mouth but also his gastrointestinal tract. Bones can also lead to obstructions which quickly become life-threatening and require emergency surgery. 

Garlic and Onions

Does your stuffing contain garlic and onions? Both contain levels of thiosulphate which can easily cause the red blood cells of a dog to burst and lead to hemolytic anemia. Even a small amount of onions can lead to lethargy, shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhea. 

Nuts

During Thanksgiving and Christmas, the nut bowl is often a focal point of a table in the home. The nuts make great pre-meal snacks. Pistachios and macadamia nuts are loaded with fat which leads to pancreatitis in pets. Macadamias are also believed to contain a toxin that impacts the animal’s neurological system. Please remember,  your dog digests walnuts, pecans, and almonds very differently. The nuts can cause intestinal obstruction in small dogs. Ideally, you should avoid giving your dog any nuts.

Grapes and Raisins

Yes, that fruit cake looks delicious but the raisins in the recipe lead to sudden kidney failure in dogs. Ingesting only a few raisins can quickly cause vomiting and hyperactive behavior in the pooch. Diarrhea also occurs and the pet can become lethargic within 24 hours. Always keep all grapes and raisins away from your dog. 

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is known to have very mild hallucinogenic properties that impact a dog’s central nervous system. Your pooch might suffer from tremors or seizures after ingesting even a pinch. Shock and death have also been reported. Yes, your dog can enjoy plain pumpkin or sweet potatoes but refrain from giving the animal any nutmeg. 

Dough and Yeast 

Nothing smells better in the kitchen the homemade bread, but the dough is dangerous for your pet. It can quickly explain in their stomach and cause severe pain, bloating and vomiting. Never give your dog raw dough or you might end up in the emergency room of your veterinarian’s clinic instead of enjoying your holiday meal. 

These are just a few examples of holiday food dangers for your pet. Ideally, you should alter your dog’s diet extraordinarily little and only give canine treats to help keep your dog’s tummy happy.