The holidays bring family, fun and a whole lot of food. Our pets want in on the feast, and those puppy-dog eyes at the dinner table are hard to resist. But many of our favorite holiday dishes can make pets seriously ill.
Here are 11 holiday foods to keep away from your dogs and cats.
1. Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs and cats can’t process well. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Keep candy dishes, cookie tins and wrapped gifts with chocolate up high.
2. Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts. Watch out for fruitcake, raisin bread, stuffing and trail mix.
3. Onions, Garlic and Chives
These are in so many holiday dishes, from stuffing to gravy to casseroles. They can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats, whether raw, cooked or powdered.
4. Xylitol
This sugar substitute shows up in sugar-free baked goods, candy, gum and some peanut butters. It’s extremely dangerous for dogs and can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar. Always check labels.
5. Cooked Bones
Turkey and ham bones splinter easily and can cause choking or tears in the digestive tract. Take the trash out right after dinner so no one goes dumpster diving.
6. Fatty Scraps and Turkey Skin
Rich, fatty foods like turkey skin, gravy and ham fat can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes serious illness. A bite of plain, cooked white meat is a much safer treat.
7. Alcohol and Eggnog
Even a small amount of alcohol can be dangerous for pets. Keep drinks off coffee tables, and watch for spiked eggnog or rum-soaked desserts.
8. Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts can make dogs weak and shaky. They often show up in holiday cookies and nut mixes.
9. Raw Yeast Dough
Rising bread dough can expand in your pet’s stomach and produce alcohol as it ferments. Keep rolls and bread dough out of reach while they rise.
10. Coffee and Caffeine
Coffee, tea, energy drinks and coffee-flavored desserts all contain caffeine, which can make pets jittery and cause a racing heart.
11. Salty Snacks and Ham
Ham, chips, pretzels and salty dips can cause stomach upset and excessive thirst. Too much salt can be dangerous in larger amounts.
What to do if your pet eats something
Don’t wait for symptoms. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away (a consultation fee may apply). Knowing what and how much your pet ate will help them help you.
The best gift you can give your pet this season? A safe, boring holiday with their own pet-friendly treats.
Featured image: Christmas Eve dinner table with Christmas food 02 by Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)
