For the festive season, we love to involve our pups in as much of the fun as possible – from dressing up, getting gifts, and being in the Christmas cards. But one area of the celebrations you should be mindful of including your furry companion in is the Christmas dinner – and all the lovely treats that come with the holiday. Some of the foods below can irritate your dog’s stomach, and others can cause real damage.
Meat
We all feed our pets a sneaky scrap from the table, and in small amounts, meat is perfectly fine for your dog. Plain white turkey meat, or a smidgeon of gravy, will be a fine treat for your pet in small amounts. Human food tends to be a lot higher in fat and salt than what is recommended for dogs, so be cautious of giving your dog too much of the good stuff, and let them have more of their nutritious pet food.
Bones
While we may all think the best thing for a dog to receive at Christmas is a juicy bone, you must be careful about which type of bones your pup can take to bury in the garden. Small bones like that of a chicken are an absolute no-go; not only are they a choking hazard, but these bones can splinter easily and cause damage to your dog’s throat and internal organs. Bigger, stronger bones are better for them to gnaw on, though perhaps a tad harder to obtain.
Veg
Carrots and Brussel sprouts are okay for your dog to eat in small quantities, and are a nice crunch for canine teeth. Onions and leeks have been known to cause liver problems in dogs, so keep these and any dishes which include them away from your furry friend.
Christmas Treats
Chocolate is absolutely off the table for your dog. Chocolate is very toxic for dogs and can make them very sick – and the last thing you want at Christmas is a worried trip to the vets! For this reason, keep advent calendars off the floor and out of reach and consider not using chocolate decorations on the tree. And you may be wondering – can dogs have eggnog? The answer is no, as a lot of eggnogs have alcohol in them which is extremely unhealthy for your dog. Other ingredients like cream, milk and sugar can have a very upsetting effect on your dog’s digestive system.
Keep in Mind…
While these aren’t food items, they are still quite likely to end up being chewed on or ingested by a curious pup. Pine needles are toxic to dogs, so if you have a natural tree, make sure to hoover the area regularly. A lot of wrapping paper contains chemicals which are harmful to your dog, so keep an eye when the presents are unwrapped and don’t leave the debris around for long!
Make sure to refer to this guide to keep your dog safe this Christmas, and give you peace of mind when feeding them during the festivities!
