Avoiding Holiday Food Hazards to Your Dog

Holidays are typically a time to indulge when it comes to food…but some of those foods can spell holiday troubles for your dog. We’ve got some tips here from Dr. Donna Spector, DVM, DACVIM, of VCA Animal Hospitals about holiday foods that can be dangerous to your pets. Dr. Spector recommends that you “feed your pet before any planned festivities. This will help your pet feel more satiated and they are not as likely to beg or steal food from partygoers. As a safeguard, inform all friends and family that your pets are not to be fed any of the holiday food.”

When it comes to specific holiday food dangers to your dog, here’s a list of Dr. Spector’s top tips:

• Avoid chocolate. Especially dark or baking chocolate, but all chocolate should be avoided. There are toxins present in chocolate which can cause problems ranging from mild stomach upset to seizures and death.

• Avoid alcohol. Many pets are attracted to the sweet drinks made during the holiday, especially those containing eggnog. Clean up all glasses and don’t leave bottles on the counter without tops. Pets can die after a single bout of alcohol consumption.

• Avoid rich fatty foods. These foods can cause your pet mild stomach irritation to a severe condition known as pancreatitis, which often requires hospitalization and can be fatal.

• Avoid giving bones. Bones from turkey, fish or other meats can cause problems with obstruction if swallowed. Even small bones can splinter causing tears throughout the intestinal system.

• Uncooked dough. Dough can expand and produce gas in the stomach which can cause bloat, severe pain and possible rupture of the digestive system. If you are leaving dough out to rise, keep your pet out of that room.

• Fruits and nuts. Avoid grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts as they can cause problems ranging from digestive upset to organ failure and death.

• Wrappers, aluminum foil, etc. Pets have an excellent sense of smell and will sniff out wrappers or packages that contain traces of food. Of particular note are the meat-soaked strings from turkey or roast. These and wrappers are often unable to pass and will cause obstructions that require surgery to remove. Keep your countertops clean and take your trash out frequently (into a securely locked area).

About Paris Permenter and John Bigley

DogTipper publishers Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of full-time writers. The couple has authored over two dozen books and 2,500+ magazine articles.

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