Expert's stark warning over popular Christmas leftovers that could kill your pet
Pet owners have been urged to keep their canines safe this season, after a sobering Christmas list was released showing the ten types of toxic foods that could poison their pooches. With furry friends undoubtedly part of the family, many owners allow their dogs to indulge in some festive favourites over the Christmas holidays, without realising they can be doing much more harm than good.
But data released from pet insurance comparison experts, quotezone.co.uk has highlighted the top ten ‘no gos’ for man’s best friend this season. In fact common festive favourites, including mince pies, stuffing, chocolate and cheese, can be severely dangerous – and even deadly – if consumed by dogs. And while many owners believe they are creating a ‘pawfect’ Christmas for their canines, they are in fact, creating possible health risks, including vomiting, convulsions and even kidney failure.
With dogs digesting and metabolising food differently to humans, what’s safe for human consumption can be potentially deadly for pooches, as quotezone.co.uk 's pet insurance comparison expert, Helen Rolph, says: “The Christmas season is full of extra snacks and festive treats – many we only eat at this time of year, so people might not be familiar with these human favourites that could do our pups some real harm. Also, the Christmas season is normally full of guests and parties; with the house full of people, it can be tricky to keep track of what your dog is nibbling on and who is handing them treats.”
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She went on to say that many ingredients in our seasonal favourites are extremely toxic to dogs, and people could unknowingly harm their pups if they feed them leftovers: “It’s important not to give in to the puppy dog eyes, because some ingredients are fatal if consumed by animals. Even a small quantity of festive luxuries, like mince pies, could lead to kidney failure, while a treat from the cheeseboard could cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea.”
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With such serious health consequences, she also suggested researching foods before feeding a dog anything new, while also advising: “Perhaps keep the pup somewhere separate from the party when the food is served, to help keep them safe.”
If you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, Helen also advises contacting your vet immediately. “Lots of pet insurance providers now come with a free 24/7 veterinarian helpline, so make sure your policy has this additional safety feature and store the number in your phone.”
Top ten toxic foods to dogs:
1. Christmas pudding and mince pies: Grapes and dried products like currants and raisins are toxic to dogs, and ingestion can cause kidney failure. This includes food items that contain these products, like Christmas puddings and mince pies.
2. Stuffing: This is high in salt and fat, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes if consumed in mass, or over a long-term period. It also contains garlic and onions which could wreak havoc on a dog's stomach.
3. Gingerbread: This is high in oil and fats, and can also cause pancreatitis in pets. Nutmeg which is found in gingerbread also contains a toxin called myristicin that doesn't agree with dogs' stomachs.
4. Nuts and Marzipan: Due to the high-fat content in nuts and marzipan, many dogs suffer from an upset stomach and, for some, this can cause more serious gastrointestinal issues.
5. Dairy products: Dogs find it hard to consume and digest dairy products. Like some humans, they’re intolerant to lactose products such as milk and cheese, which can cause stomach upsets, diarrhoea and vomiting.
6. Alcohol: Even small amounts of alcohol found in cooked food should not be given to your dog, and veterinary assistance should be sought straight away should your dog accidentally ingest some.
7. Artificial sweeteners: A sugar-free sweetener called xylitol is often found in sweets, and even a couple could cause toxic effects in a small dog, resulting in liver damage, vomiting, lethargy, convulsions and comas.
8. Gravy: As a Christmas dinner staple, lots of leftovers will be smothered in gravy, which is high in salt and should be avoided.
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9. Chocolate: The chemical theobromine, which is found in chocolate, is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause agitation, hyperexcitability, tremors, convulsions and problems with the heart.
10. Onions: Onions, garlic and chives all belong to the Allium species of plants and can cause toxicity. Initially, there can be vomiting and diarrhoea, but the main damage is to red blood cells, resulting in anaemia.
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