A recent study has found that dogs are 75 percent more likely to require veterinary attention at Christmas time as a result of eating something they shouldn't.
As Christmas chocolates and treats start to appear everywhere, it’s essential for pet owners to be aware of the increased risks their furry friends face during the festive season.
All those indulgent treats, tempting smells and the hustle and bustle of holiday activities, make it a time of heightened risk for curious pets. Whether it’s leftovers on the table, a discarded snack in the bin or a treat hidden under the tree, the possibilities of food-related mishaps are endless.
While it's no surprise that pets like to beg for snacks and leftovers, dogs are more likely to ingest something that could make them very poorly.
According to the team at Digital Agency, these are the top five Christmas foods can cause serious health issues if they are accidentally consumed by our furry friends.
1. Chocolate advent calendars
Everyone loves an advent calendar, especially those filled with chocolate and other edibles. To ensure you dog doesn't take a fancy to your daily deliciousness, pet specialists suggest keeping them up high, out of reach from furry friends.
Theobromine is a stimulant that affects a dog's central nervous system and heart. Toxicity levels range between the different types of chocolates; dark is the most dangerous, followed by milk and white.
If either is ingested you should contact a vet immediately. Experts recommend keeping the packaging, so you can report exactly what they’ve eaten and how much.
If they accidentally swallow any chocolate, owners can quickly access tailored information using a chocolate toxicity calculator to determine how urgent the case is.
Of course, chocolate Santa's, baubles, selection packs and those bumper boxes we all like to crack into on Christmas day are also dangerous to our dogs.
Keep your treats well out of reach so you can enjoy them without worrying about any pet-based problems.
2. Mince pies
Mince pies are a festive favourite, but their raisins, currants, and sultanas are highly toxic to dogs.
Tartaric acid in these fruits can cause acute kidney failure, while their sugar and fat content may lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and other digestive issues.
If your dog consumes a mince pie, contact your vet immediately. Provide details of how much they consumed, and don’t forget to mention if they may have ingested any foil packaging.
3. Onions and garlic
Whether it’s the caramelised onion chutney or garlic potatoes on the table, dogs and cats should be kept far away from any vegetables in the allium species. This also includes shallot, leek and spring onion.
No matter if they’re cooked or raw, the vegetables still pose a threat to pets. The poisoning tends to cause vomiting, abdominal pain and nausea – they’re all signs to look out for.
4. Gravy
Although it seems like a treat your dogs would love, store-bought gravy is a no-no for furry friends. The high amounts of sodium and fat found in gravy can be dangerous and cause toxicity, resulting in the usual symptoms, decreased appetite, excessive thirst and lethargy.
Additionally, they may contain garlic or onion which should be avoided as explained above.
5. Christmas puddings
Similar to mince pies, the raisins inside a Christmas pudding can be dangerous for pets. Even more so because they often include alcohol can cause more problems for pets.
Alcohol poisoning in dogs can lead to coordination issues, vomiting, breathing problems and much more.
Pets have a lower tolerance to alcohol than humans, so although the initial symptoms might seem manageable, they can quickly progress to more serious issues including seizures.
If your pet consumes any alcohol, consult your vet as soon as possible.
