Christmas dog warning over common foods 'toxic' to furry friends
A warning has been issued about a series of common Christmas foods that are toxic to dogs.
Christmas is most definitely a time for feasting, with a range of savoury snacks and sweet treats brought out as staples of the season. Cheese boards become a basic necessity, alcohol consumption often rises, and chocolate practically becomes one of your five-a-day. It’s the one time of the year when all bets are off regarding food.
While many of us wish to indulge and make the most of the season, it’s important to bear in mind that not all our favourite foods are suitable for pets. Dogs, in particular, can be very sensitive to certain foods and many are dangerous.
In a bid to raise awareness, homelessness community aid group Poverty Watch UK shared an image to Facebook detailing a number of foods and ingredients which all prove toxic to dogs. The image listed the following items:
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Stuffing
Mince pies
Alcohol
Macadamia nuts
Chestnuts
Christmas cake
Xylitol (a sweetener used in many products like sugar-free gums, sugar-free jams, mints, and sweets)
Blue cheeses (mould)
Cooked bones
Raisins/currents
Chocolate
Onion
People shared their thoughts in the comments section. One person quipped: “Good job I eat all that, the dog eats dog food.”
Another said: “Missed out: garlic, leeks, chives, raisins, sultanas, currants, grapes, apple cores.” A third helpfully commented: “Xylitol also known as Birch sugar."
Xylitol often goes by a number of names, including birch sugar, wood sugar and birch bark extract - and it's highly toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can prove to be fatal, so it's incredibly important to seek help from a vet immediately if you believe your dog has managed to eat xylitol.
Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include decreased activity, weakness, being unstable on their feet, collapsing, and seizures.
Of festive foods safe for pets to enjoy, the RSPCA advises: “Skinless and boneless white meat such as turkey is okay for dogs and cats, but be careful that it's not covered in fat, salt or gravy. Your pets should stick to their normal food.
“If you want to treat your pet to festive bites, try our easy-to-make cat and dog treats below. Be sure to feed treats in moderation, as extra weight isn't good for their health.”
It also cautions against giving chocolate, onion gravy, alcohol, mince pies, Christmas pudding and meat on the bone to cats, and small furry pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs, in addition to dogs.
Though dogs are commonly depicted in media as chomping on bones and enjoying them, bones can still be a dangerous choking hazard and “can pose a risk of internal blockages and cause intestinal perforations”.
The RSPCA also warns that while rabbits and guinea pigs can eat grapes in small amounts due to their high sugar content, they’re poisonous to cats and dogs.
