Like most loving dog owners, we feel the need to give them the same food that we are having this holiday season. That even the tiniest of the table scraps seems to be the only way to share the holiday love to our furry friend. However, doing that could actually cause them harm than good. The following are some of the foods that may be fatal to your dog this holiday season.
Candy
The sugar in candies contains an artificial sweetener called xylitol that can be fatal to your dog as it can cause liver failure. Keep candies away from your pets.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that is extremely poisonous to your dog's health. When your dog ingests it in large amounts, it can cause hypertension, vomiting, seizures and even death. According to Pet Poison Helpline, those bittersweet and dark varieties of chocolate are the most fatal for your dogs.
Caffeine
Caffeine also contains theobromine, a chemical lethal to dogs which are also found in chocolates. Dogs are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than dogs. WIthin 2 hours of exposure of caffeine, this causes restlessness, hyperactivity, hypertension, elevated body temperature and even caused them to have seizures or collapse.
Alcohol
Alcohol has the same effect on the dog's liver and brains; however, it won't take as much to cause serious damage to your pet. Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to tremors, respiratory distress, coma and even cause them to die.
Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, cream, butter, and other dairy products are bad for your dog. Consumption of dairy products can cause digestive problems, diarrhea, and even allergic reactions to your pet.
Eggnog
Eggnog contains alcohol, fat, sugar, raw eggs, and milk. It contains all the ingredients that aren't safe for your pet so it's best to keep them away from drinking eggnog.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg in large amounts can cause stomach pains, hallucinations, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and even seizures to your furry friend.
Nuts
Nuts contain a high-fat content and other toxins that could make your dog's stomach upset or worse, cause serious health problems. In fact, Macadamia nuts when ingested in large amounts can cause tremors, vomiting, paralysis and other complications.
Onion and Garlic
Found in most holiday foods, when onion and garlic are ingested, it can result in Heinz body formation, anemia, lethargy, and reluctant weakness. Ingestion of it in more than 0.5% of the dog's body weight is toxic to your pet.
Turkey and Other Meats
The white meat of the turkey is good for dogs, but the dark meat contains fats, seasoning, and its bones can cause a lot of problems for your furry friend. Turkey bones are the biggest concern for dogs as it can cause them to have splinters and even puncture your pet's digestive tract.
There are other types of meats that can be a danger to your pet like for example the meat in the roast beef and ham can upset your dog's stomach. The high content of fat and seasoning in these meats can cause gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, and intoxication in dogs.
Grapes and Raisins
Consuming these fruits in small amounts can cause kidney failure in some dogs. Just like turkey bones, grape and raisin intoxication can cause a potentially fatal acute renal failure.
Holiday Foods that Are Safe For Dogs
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes are a chewy treat for your dogs this holiday season. Potatoes contain a rich source of dietary fiber, beta-carotene, Vitamin B-6, and Vitamin C. Just make sure to give them a plain slice, or mashed sweet potatoes in small amounts without sugar or any additives.
Carrots
Most holiday dishes have carrots in them which is very safe for them to eat. It has low-calorie content, low fat and packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Green Beans
Green beans are an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Manganese this holiday season. Just make sure that they are plain beans without any added spices, garlic, salt, etc.
Tips:
Watch where you put the food. You have probably a lot going on in the kitchen but don't just leave the garbage bags unattended or within easy reach of your dogs.
Keep bread dough away from dogs. If you are making homemade pizza, bread keep them out of dog's reach. The raw yeast and the unbaked dough can expand in the warm and moist stomach. This can result in bloat and even alcohol poisoning that could be life-threatening for your pet.
These are the foods that are safe and unsafe for your pet. Make sure that during this season everyone in the household, pets, and humans will have a memorable holiday season.