Many pet owners may feel that the best place for their Christmas leftovers is in the dog’s bowl, but some foods can have major effects on four-legged friends.
It’s worth knowing what can and can’t be fed to the dog at Christmas, as one popular choice can make them very sick.
In-house veterinary surgeon at Pooch & Mutt, Dr Linda Simon has outlined what owners should avoid giving to their pets this Christmas and what foods they can enjoy with us.
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First of all, meat is the main event for most people at Christmas. Dogs can feast on this too, but stick to lean, white meat. Do not feed bones to dogs and try to avoid darker meat, as Simon said this can be harder for them to digest.
“Importantly, avoid heavily seasoned skin, as it’s high in fat which could trigger pancreatitis in some dogs. If you wrap your Christmas turkey in bacon, be sure to avoid that too as this is also incredibly fatty and salty and can also cause upset to our pooches' pancreas,” she said.
Pigs in blankets are a favourite for many, but, unfortunately, they should not be given to dogs. In fact, the only pork products that dogs eat should be those specifically made for them.
Stuffing is another no-go for pets. This is because it contains a lot of fat, garlic and onions, which can wreak havoc on their stomach. It can even cause anaemia.
Dogs can eat potatoes in moderation, but roast potatoes are slightly too fatty for them. Simon said: “When cooking up the roast, boil some potatoes or perhaps mash a small amount on the side without added salt or butter.
“Just make sure it’s not the main component of the meal, as starchy foods are hard for a dog to digest. Take up space with veggies instead.”
The likes of Brussels sprouts, parsnips and swede are all safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are boiled and have no added oil, butter, salt or glaze. Broccoli is a “fantastic” addition to their bowl and can be served up any time of the year.
A small dollop of cranberry sauce is ok for a dog to eat, but Simon recommended checking the label first. “If it contains grapes or raisins it should definitely be avoided. You should also ensure that it is sugar-free, as if not, it may contain artificial sweeteners such as xylitol which are lethal to dogs,” she said.
However, there are two things that should absolutely not be given to your dogs this Christmas.
The first of which is gravy. According to Simon, most gravy is “very high in fat and salt” and is “just too rich” for dogs.
“It could also contain onions and garlic, which is another no-no. If you’ve made the gravy yourself and know exactly what ingredients have been used, a small amount might be ok - but err on the side of caution,” she said.
The next might go without saying, but Christmas desserts, cakes and puddings are a no-go.
Simon said: “Traditional Christmas pudding and Christmas cake are usually packed with raisins, alcohol, chocolate and strong flavourings.
“Grapes and raisins are toxic to a dog’s kidneys, so it’s safer to avoid these sweet festive treats altogether.”
Dogs don’t really have a sweet tooth, which means they won’t miss out not having this course.
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