One of the main staples or traditions of the holidays is large family meals and gatherings. You or your houseguests may be tempted to let the family pets join in on the fun by feeding them scraps from the table, but certain treats can make your pets sick or can even be fatal. Keep these foods away from your pets:
Fatty, Rich Foods
Excessively fatty and rich foods can cause or contribute to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. They can also raise your pet’s blood sugar to dangerous levels. Overly rich foods like foods cooked in oil or butter can cause the same problem. Don’t let your pet eat sweet potato casserole, latkes, donuts, cookies or pie, or any other food with a high fat or sugar content. Don’t let your pet eat rich, fatty meats, either. Lean meats with the fat, skin, and bones removed are fine in moderation.
Dangerous Foods that Can Cause Blockages or Choking
Some holiday foods are dangerous because they can cause intestinal blockages or choking. This includes meat bones, popcorn, pumpkin seeds, caramel, nougat, marshmallows, and more. Other foods might splinter or break while your pet chews them and can cause a dangerous perforation of their intestines.
Ingredients That Can Poison Your Pets
The most dangerous holiday foods and ingredients are ones that can poison your pets. These foods have varying toxicity levels to pets, but be careful not to drop them on the floor while cooking, or let your pet eat or have access to the finished product. Watch out for signs of poisoning, such as excessive panting or drooling, increased thirst, decreased appetite, lethargy or mania, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools or urine, loss of balance or coordination, and loss of consciousness.
● Onions and garlic
● Avocados
● Nuts
● Raisins and grapes
● Alcohol
● Artificial sweeteners like Xylitol
● Yeast/uncooked dough
● Chocolate
If you suspect that your pet has gotten into or eaten any of these holiday treats, you should visit your veterinarian right away.