By Brenna Fender
Holiday season is here and the food is always delicious and abundant. Unfortunately, it is also potentially dangerous for dogs. Certain foods are fine for humans but toxic for dogs. Others can cause pancreatitis or digestive issues.
What dangerous foods may lurk among your holiday spread? Here are some items you should look out for:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Nuts, especially Macadamia nuts
- Onions
- Raisins
- Foods that are fried or excessively fatty
- Foods containing caffeine
- Foods containing the sweetener Xylitol
- Beware of the holiday turkey as well. The excess fat sends many pups to the emergency vet after Thanksgiving due to pancreatitis, a serious illness.
Some of these foods, like garlic, may be okay in small amounts, and others, like chocolate , vary in their toxicity depending on type or preparation (baker’s chocolate is far more dangerous than milk chocolate, for example). Avoiding all exposure to these foods is the best way to keep your dog safe during the holidays and every day.
Contact your vet directly for details on dangerous foods and to learn how to handle potential ingestion of any of these items. See more info at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets and https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/foods-to-avoid.aspx.
