The surprising Christmas treats putting your dog in danger

Lisa Joyner

26 November 2024 at 7:06 am·2-min read

christmas pet treats that are dangerous to dogs — 7 dangerous Christmas treats for pets revealedEllenMoran - Getty Images

The Christmas treats putting your dog in danger have been revealed, with some surprising foods topping the list.

New research commissioned by Royal Canin found the most common cause for emergency vet visits during the festive season is dogs swallowing something dangerous (41%) and showing symptoms of poisoning (29%).

A poll of 2,000 owners found that 67% didn't know that traditional festive meat can pose problems for dogs, while two in three owners said they feed their dogs a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

Meanwhile, a quarter of vet visits come from Christmas decorations (25%), followed by festive foods (32%), chocolates (22%), grapes or raisins (31%), alcohol (6%), and mince pies (3%). Surprisingly, avocados also made the list, with seven in 10 owners unaware of their risk to dogs.

It might be the most wonderful time of the year, but some of our much-loved Christmas traditions are unsafe for dogs.

"Dogs are naturally curious and can be quite mischievous, particularly during the lead-up to Christmas," Georgia Woods-Lee, a leading veterinary nurse and researcher at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital, told The Sun.

"It's crucial for pet owners to be mindful about what their dogs are chewing on. Many poisonous foods, miscellaneous items and holiday decorations can pose health risks if ingested."

Take a look at the seven most dangerous Christmas treats for pets below:

Top 7 most dangerous Christmas treats for pets

Christmas dinner with all the trimmings
Chocolates
Grapes or raisins
Mince pies
Alcohol
Avocados
Bread dough

Never hesitate to seek help if you suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous. Symptoms of poisoning can include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, pale gums, and seizures.

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