For many people, Christmas is a time to spend with those who are close to our hearts, including our furry friends.
Food makes up a big part of our celebrations and our pets are often keen to join in on the festive fun.
With tasty morsels and inviting decorations they can occasionally get themselves into trouble.
Vets at Rowcliffe House Vets Limited, based in Penrith, have put together a guide to help you and your pet have a safe and happy Christmas.
What food is off limits?
Chocolate
From advent calendars to selection boxes and tree decorations to edible gifts, chocolate is everywhere at Christmas.
The higher the cocoa content, the more toxic the chocolate.
The VetsNow chocolate toxicity calculator is a useful tool which assesses the risk to your dog based on their weight and the amount of chocolate consumed.
Raisins and other dried fruits
Watch out for hidden fruits in mince pies, Christmas cake and Christmas puddings as these foods can cause severe kidney disease.
Grapes
When ingested, grapes, no matter the colour, can cause gut problems such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
Serious cases can result in kidney failure. There’s no association between toxic dose and the weight of your pet so any amount is significant.
Onions, garlic, and related vegetables
These common household ingredients are toxic both cooked and uncooked.
Alcohol
Consumption can result in dizziness, vomiting, depression and breathing difficulties.
Xylitol
A sweetener commonly found in Christmas treats like candy canes, as well as in some brands of peanut butter and baked goods.
It is mistaken as real sugar by the pancreas, making it release more insulin and causing your pets’ blood sugar level to drop.
Signs of hypoglycaemia include lethargy, vomiting, tremors, unsteadiness and loss of consciousness.
Moulds
Moulds, including those found in blue cheese and uneaten leftovers, produce spores that are toxic to animals. Make sure to keep bin bags away from inquisitive pets.
Bones
The classic combination of a dog and a bone is best saved for nursery rhymes and cartoon strips.
Cooked bones can easily splinter, risking damage to the digestive tract and sometimes cause blockages.
Uncooked bones could be contaminated with food poisoning bacteria like salmonella, causing nasty tummy upsets as a minimum.
Macadamia nuts
Consumption can result in weakness and depression.
Fatty foods
Although not technically toxic, fatty foods can cause digestive upset or even lead to pancreatitis which is very painful.
What can I give my pet as a treat this Christmas?
Plenty of foods are safe to share with your pets – think lean cooked meats, carrots, peas, and well-cooked potatoes.
Of course, decorations can present a choking hazard and changes in routine, including guests staying in the house, can be stressful for our pets.
Try to keep decorations and presents out of reach and create a routine that works for you and your pet to help them release any pent-up energy during the festivities.
We’d like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and if you do have any concerns over your pet’s health during the festive period, do not hesitate to contact your vet.
We at Rowcliffe House are available 24 hours a day and are always happy to help.
Pets aren’t just for Christmas
As a practice, and as part of the veterinary profession, we strive to deliver the message that pets are for life, never just for Christmas.
But if you are bringing a new pet home this winter, consider signing up to our Pet Care Health Plan to save money on routine parasite treatments, routine vaccines, and neutering.
Please go to www.rowcliffehousevets.co.uk/pets/pet-care-health-scheme or call us on 01768 865661 to find out more.
