3 Christmas foods that are ‘toxic’ to dogs — not chocolate or bones
Christmas is a time for sharing, but when it comes to the food on your plate, letting your dog join in could be more dangerous than you think. While many owners love to treat their pets during the festive season, certain popular holiday foods can pose serious risks, turning a joyful celebration into an urgent dash to the vet.
An expert from Pooch and Mutt revealed: “Yes, your dog can eat a Christmas dinner and safely join in on other festive eateries. But at the same time, many aspects of your traditional human Christmas dinner are not suitable, and even contain some toxic ingredients that could result in a Christmas trip to the vet.” Below, we have listed three foods that your dog should avoid eating.
1) Roast potatoes
Roast potatoes may seem harmless, but according to the dog expert, roasties are slightly too fatty and starchy for your pooch to digest. However, dogs can eat plain, cooked potatoes.
They shared: “As an alternative, when cooking up the roast, boil some potatoes or mash a small amount for your dog without adding any salt or butter. Serve a small portion, as most of the meal should consist of meat and vegetables to avoid your dog becoming bloated and lethargic later.”
Additionally, dogs cannot enjoy Yorkshire puddings in the same way we do. Made with flour, eggs and milk, they offer no real nutritional value for pets, and because they’re cooked in oil, dogs can become bloated, lethargic or struggle with an upset stomach.
2) Cranberry sauce
The canine specialist shared: “If made with dogs in mind! A small dollop of cranberry sauce is ok for a dog to eat, especially if you’ve made it yourself with cranberries and water.
“If you’ve bought it, always check the label. If it contains grapes or raisins, it should definitely be avoided.” They also suggest being careful with sugar-free versions.
These versions can contain sweeteners like xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. If you’re not sure what’s in it, it’s best to avoid giving them cranberry sauce.
3) Pigs in blankets
Pigs in blankets may be irresistible to us humans, but they’re far too high in fat and salt for your dog’s sensitive stomach. However, your dog can eat chicken or turkey if it’s lean, white meat that doesn’t contain bones, skin, or extra seasoning or flavouring.
Experts from Pooch and Mutt commented: “Chicken and turkey are both high in protein as well as low in fat (when prepared correctly), so either meat makes for a juicy, healthy option for a dog’s lunch.
“Avoid the darker pieces of meat, which will be harder for them to digest; cut off the fatty pieces, and avoid the heavily seasoned skin. These parts of the poultry are high in fat, which could cause sickness or, in some dogs, trigger pancreatitis.”
