There are a number of ‘extremely toxic’ human foods that you should not be feeding your furry friends this Christmas, and unfortunately for dogs, pigs in blankets are up there.
A vet has shared a list of foods that you categorically should not give your dog over the festive season, however challenging it may be not to fall for those longing eyes under the dinner table.
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Even in tiny amounts, these foods can cause serious long-term issues for your pooches.
It comes after Google searches for ‘20 human foods dogs can eat’ have increased dramatically by 1,257 percent in the last month.
Wanting to include your dog in the family festivities isn’t a strange concept, but you should definitely avoid sharing most elements of your Christmas dinner with them!
As a general rule of thumb, anything with a really high fat and salt content should not be given to your dogs, as it can lead to obesity and pancreatitis, and can also be damaging for dogs prone to heart disease.
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Full list below
Dr. Sam, a vet from Animal Friends Pet Insurance, told the Mirror that pigs in blankets should remain on your plate this year, not to be sneakily passed under the table to your begging pup.
He said: “Pigs in blankets and other fatty meats could lead to pet obesity and pancreatitis.
“As much as your pup might beg for a meaty treat, it’s best to avoid giving them these.
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“Instead, stick to unseasoned lean meat such as chicken or turkey.”
It’s a bad day to be a dog when you realise you’re never going to know the luxury of a pig in a blanket…
But it’s not all bad news for our fur babies, because they are still entitled, after all, to a little nibble of the turkey.
Don’t say we don’t treat you!
Other Christmas treats that should not be on the doggo menu:
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Mince pies and Christmas Pudding
Dr. Sam also said: “Raisins, sultanas and grapes are extremely toxic for dogs and must always be avoided.”
Small amounts of any of these foods can be really dangerous for our fur babies, so avoiding any puddings with these ingredients is a must.
Cooked Bones
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It’s time to ditch that old saying ‘give the dog a bone’ around this time of year, because cooked bones, such as from chicken or roasted lamb, can actually be life threatening for your dog.
They can pierce holes in their organs if swallowed, so definitely avoid that one!
Gravy
Dr. Sam said: “Gravy often has high salt and fat content.
“You must avoid this, especially in dogs with heart disease or a history of pancreatitis.”
Stuffing
Despite stuffing having a high fat and salt content, it also contains onions which are ‘highly toxic’ for dogs to ingest.
Yorkshire puddings
It’s a sad state of affairs when you’ll never know the taste of a yorkshire, but Dr. Sam says there's a good reason for it.
Due to their density, they can be challenging for dogs to digest.
Alcohol
This feels like an obvious one... we definitely don’t want a spaniel stumbling down the staircase at 2.00am, do we?
Dr. Sam says: “Alcohol is extremely toxic and can have long-lasting effects on their liver and brain.”
Others include:
-Chocolate
-Potatoes with added butter or salt
-Cured meats
-Nuts
-Sauces
-Cheese or cream
-Sweets
Topics: Dogs, Christmas, Food And Drink
Mia Williams