While it’s tempting to let your pet join in on the food and merriment of the holidays, certain holiday treats are dangerous and even toxic to pets. Make sure that you don’t let your pet eat any of these dangerous holiday foods:
Raw Meat, Bones, and Fat
The dangers posed to humans by consuming raw meat also extend to your pets. Raw meat can carry dangerous bacteria and foodborne illnesses, making your pet very sick very quickly. Meat bones can also be dangerous, as they can be a choking hazard. If your pet chews the bones, they can splinter and cause intestinal perforation or intestinal blockages. Meat fat is too rich for dogs and can contribute to pancreatitis or just cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Alcohol and Yeast
Alcohol and yeast can cause gastrointestinal distress and poisoning, including alcohol toxicity, bloat, seizures, brain damage, coma, and death. Make sure your guests know to keep their glasses out of reach of pets, and not to let your pets drink any alcohol or beer.
Food Cooked in Oil or Butter
Foods cooked in oil or butter, like latkes, donuts, potatoes, and vegetables, can be too rich for your pet. Fatty foods can also contribute to fatty liver disease and/or pancreatitis.
Certain Holiday Food Ingredients
If you’re cooking with any of the ingredients listed below, be sure to keep them out of reach of your pet. Be conscious of any food that falls on the floor, and don’t let your pet have even a small amount of the finished product.
● Raisins and grapes
● Nuts
● Onions
● Garlic
● Avocado
Chocolate
Most people know that chocolate is toxic to pets. Keep holiday chocolate like gelt away from pets. Make sure that candy and gum is out of reach, as well as they can be choking hazards, and some gum and candy contain an ingredient called Xylitol, which is fatal to pets even in small amounts.
If your pet has consumed any of these dangerous holiday foods, make an appointment with your veterinarian right away or take your pet to an emergency veterinarian immediately.