It’s that time of year where we’re home more for the holidays and spending more time with our loved ones. Although this year may be a little different for some, lots of you may still be celebrating your holiday traditions…just a little differently!
In my house, I know the days off will consist of more breakfast and more time with my girls (hard to believe more time with them is even possible at this point….) and I know that no matter what I’m cooking, I’ll have two little beggars at my feet while I’m doing so…
While cooking during the holidays, it’s important to consider the food you’re making and what could be harmful to your dog(s), if eaten.
This week, we’ll be sharing some tips on foods to avoid for your pets this season, as well as some healthy snacks you might be cooking in your kitchen that you can share!
Although some of these may seem pretty obvious, there’s others you may not know about. I know I’ve fed my girls some of the treats on this list, and didn’t know it could be harmful to them.
Lets start with the DON’T list…
Bacon and Ham
I’m totally guilty of feeding my dogs bacon and some little ham scraps from my sandwiches. To be honest, I didn’t know it could cause an issue. I see bacon flavored treats all the time, so why would I consider this harmful? Because bacon and ham contain so much salt, they can cause pancreatitis or other pancreatic issues which can be life-threatening and painful to dogs. Although it will be sad to see their drooly faces go unanswered, I don’t want to take the risk of them getting sick from all the salt. Looks like their bacon days are over…
Chives, Garlic & Onions
These ingredients are commonly found in a variety of holiday foods like mashed potatoes and stuffing. Whether they are cooked or powdered, they can lead to damaged blood cells and anemia in dogs. It’s best to not feed your furry friend anything that you think might contain these ingredients.
Dairy Products
Similarly to humans, consuming dairy products can lead to diarrhea and other digestive issues. Dogs can have allergic reactions to milk, cream, cheese, and butter. It’s best to leave dairy products out of their bowls this holiday season.
Poultry Bones
Whether turkey or chicken bones, these are not good for your pets. Bones can splinter and perforate the intestines of dogs which often times requires surgery. Have you ever accidently dropped a chicken wing on the floor and suddenly realized the super-sonic speed your dog has? Addie has grabbed a dropped chicken bone before at the speed of light…she’s also taught herself to open the trash can when she smells them and tries to sneak them for a snack. It’s as if she knows they’re forbidden treats she cannot have…Luckily, the few times it’s happened I’ve been able to steal them back and we didn’t end up at the Emergency Vet.
Turkey
In moderation, plain, white turkey meat is okay for dogs to eat. However, fatty, dark meat and seasonings can cause issues for your dog as well as grease and the fatty skin. These can also cause pancreatitis – who knew a dog’s pancreas was so sensitive?
Xylitol
This ingredient is used as a sugar substitute and found in a variety of common products. This can be deadly to dogs as it can cause them to develop low blood sugar and seizures. Liver failure is also common if Xylitol is consumed in large doses. Xylitol is often contained in Peanut Butter – so be careful when you’re sneaking your pup that peanut butter pie under the table!
If your dog should ingest any of these foods over the holidays and shows signs of diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness or lethargy please contact your medical professional right away.
Aside from holiday foods you should not feed your dog, here’s a list of foods that they can have!
The DO List
All of the fruits and veggies below offer great vitamins and minerals for your dogs! You’d be surprised how many of these you might have left over that you can share with them! Just make sure they don’t have any of the additional ingredients we’ve listed above!
Fruits
- Apples
- Bananas
- Berries
- Melon
Veggies
- Carrots
- Corn (without the cob)
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Spinach
- Squash
Pumpkin Puree
Pets love pumpkin puree when it’s mixed into their usual meal. This treat should be given to them plain or mixed with their dog food. Please be sure NOT to feed them pumpkin pie filling, as the quantities of nutmeg can cause hallucinations and stomach pains. I’m not sure about you, but I don’t want to see what Izzy is like hallucinating…
Turkey
White, plain, turkey is healthy for dogs and provides them with a hearty and healthy refreshment. As long as you cut away the excess fat we discussed previously, your dog will love this yummy snack!
Please keep in mind that there are many other foods that are both beneficial and dangerous for your pets. We ask that before feeding your furry friend anything new, you do your research to ensure it is healthy for them. All dogs can react differently to foods, and it’s important to feed them in moderation and introduce new items slowly. A small treat around the holiday’s should be fine for them, but I wouldn’t let them eat the extra Apple Pie your Nana brought!
Save some food for your friends!
Thank you to the following for sharing this information with us:
- https://www.peta.org/living/animal-companions/holiday-foods-that-are-bad-for-dogs/
- https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/these-holiday-foods-arent-safe-for-dogs
- https://www.billingsanimalfamilyhospital.com/holiday-food-for-pets/
- https://www.myhappypets.com/general-health/article/eat-this-not-that-holiday-foods-your-pets-can-and-cant-eat
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