Dec. 24, 2019—The holidays can provide plenty of fun food for everyone, but what are tasty treats for humans could be dangerous for pets—particularly dogs.
Any pet who roams the house may get seriously sick if they munch on holiday foods. However, because cats are pickier eaters, dogs appear to be more at risk for devouring foods that can harm them.
So this holiday season, ignore those puppy-dog eyes begging for your food and remember these tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for keeping furry friends safe.
- Watch for dangerous ingredients. Macadamia nuts are very harmful for dogs. Keep this in mind when your dog licks their lips at the sight of those macadamia nut cookies. And you may already be aware that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but also be sure to keep anything with xylitol—a sugar substitute—out of reach, because it can be dangerous too.
- Raw meat is not for the domesticated dog. Although your dog's wild ancestors may have hunted for their dinner, raw meat isn't appropriate for your pet. E. coli, salmonella and other bacteria can be found in uncooked meat. And be sure to wash your hands after handling raw meat before you feed anyone—including your dog.
- Grapes, raisins and currants can turn toxic. Some dogs develop kidney failure if they eat these foods. Not all dogs are affected, but it's not worth the risk to find out. Are any fruits safe? Bananas and apples with core and seeds removed appear to be fine.
- Fried and fatty foods are no better for Fido than they are for you. They can give a dog a stomachache, and they can also cause dogs to develop a potentially deadly disease called pancreatitis.
- The mold means it's old, so throw it out. You wouldn't give moldy food to your family, so don't give it to your dog. And when you throw old food away, make sure your dog can't get into the trash.
- Salty snacks can be sickening. One potato chip or pretzel may not harm a dog, but a whole bag can make them sick. And because your dog might be getting more salty snacks during the holidays, make sure to keep their water bowl full.
- Onions, garlic and chives are no pet's friend. This includes onion and garlic powder, which means any foods with these items need to stay out of your dog's reach. Also note that cats are sensitive to onions and garlic products too.
Don’t take chances
All dogs are different. A certain type of food might harm one dog but not affect another. So play it safe.
And remember that dogs with food allergies are affected differently than people with food allergies. Allergic reactions in animals usually cause skin and ear problems.
The best plan is to keep all human food away from your dog. This will help ensure that the holidays are fun and safe for everyone in the family—including your beloved pup.