Holiday Food Guide for Dogs
Well, we’ve made it to the last part of this crazy year.
The holiday season is officially upon us, and before you know it, the wonderful smells that accompany this time of year will be gracing our nostrils. Consequently, they also will be gracing the nostrils of our furry family members.
Yep, our dogs will be more than happy to sit in the kitchen and lovingly drool and be in the way as we prepare that holiday feast. I don’t know about you, but my dogs seem to always know exactly where to sit to be directly in the way of me moving about the kitchen. Add in the toddler that wants to see and explore what’s going on, and we’ve got a recipe for me falling over someone and spilling that big bowl of mashed potatoes all over the floor.
Can’t wait!
While a holiday feast is delicious and welcoming to us, our dear furry friends are not so lucky to be able to partake in the festive foods. While over-indulging for us may include a run to the medicine cabinet for Tums or Rolaids, it, unfortunately, could mean an emergency trip to the vet for our dogs.
What foods are off-limits for our pups during the holidays?
Obviously dogs and humans are quite different, and dietary needs are no exception.
While I’m sure Spot would love nothing more than sit under the table and lovingly clean the floor of any drops of food for us, this isn’t an ideal situation as many holiday foods can cause serious and/or life-threatening illness.
So what foods are absolutely no good, you ask? Below is a list of foods to avoid during the holiday season:
- Alcohol– while we may enjoy a big bowl of spiked eggnog or rum punch, alcohol has the same effect on dogs as it does on humans, so it is best not to let Spot lap up that spilled drink.
- Nuts– while delicious (and healthy!) to snack on while waiting for dinner to be served at a holiday party, remember that nuts, especially Walnuts and Macadamia, can cause vomiting, tremors, and a rapid heartbeat in dogs and should be avoided.
- Chocolate– I think we all know this one. Just be sure to keep it out of nose reach as the wrappers chocolates come in can be just as dangerous as the chocolate itself.
- Garlic, Onion, and Chives– while we enjoy these flavors in our stuffing and turkey, poor Spot would not be enjoying this so much. These foods can damage a dog’s blood cells and cause anemia and a whole host of other problems.
- Nutmeg and Sage– These traditional holiday spices can be toxic to our furry friends, so best not to let Spot have a slice of pie.
- Raisins and Grapes– often found in holiday breads and side dishes, they can cause kidney failure in dogs.
- Turkey skin– while allowing Spot to have a small amount of meat as a treat for the holiday season, be sure not to give him any skin, which often has all the tasty spices and fat included, which, as we stated above, can be dangerous.
- Turkey and Ham bones– we often associate dogs with bones, but unless prepared properly, the bones from the family meal can splinter when chewed and cause some serious intestinal issues for your pet, not to mention cuts in the mouth!
So what can my dog enjoy for the celebration?
While some foods may cause some digestive upset and other health issues, other foods found at the holidays are A-Ok to give your furry friend- and are even pretty healthy for them, provided they are given in moderation of course!
Here is a list of food you can give your dog to help him join in a holiday celebration. While these foods are generally safe for most dogs, others may have sensitivities to new things resulting in upset stomachs, digestive upset or even skin irritation. Be sure to give any “new” food in moderation.
- Pumpkin (plain, without spices)
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Carrots
- Apples- but be sure to remove the core and seeds!
- Spinach
- Winter Squashes
- Corn- as long as it’s cut it off the cob!
- Melon
- Berries
- Bananas
- Potatoes- White and Sweet, just be sure they are plain and not yummed up with butter and spices!
Take caution also with starchy foods such as breads and potatoes, and foods naturally high in sugar such as carrots, which can cause an upset in the bacteria in their gut, as well as skin irritation and allergies. Dogs lack an enzyme in their saliva that we have in ours to help break down these foods as soon as we start to chew. Dogs have this enzyme, but it is found further along the digestive tract which may account for some difficulty digesting these approved foods.
What should I do if my dog eats one of the foods he shouldn’t?
Be on the lookout for any serious signs such as:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Skin irritations
Lack of appetite
Lethargy
Keep your vet’s number handy, as well as the local emergency vet. They should be your first call if you find Spot has gotten into something he shouldn’t have and are noticing the above symptoms.
It’s also a good idea to keep the ASPCA poison control number handy for further instruction on what to do if harmful foods or substances are ingested. That number is 1-888-426-4435.
And remember, prevention by keeping the food out of Spot’s reach is key to avoiding a costly vet trip!
If poor table (or garbage sniffing) manners are the root problem of Spot getting to the foods he shouldn’t, give us a call! We can help work on the “leave it” command and teach strategies to keep Spot away from the table or garbage can.
Happy Feasting!