Christmas foods that can make your dog sick
Much of what we enjoy at Christmas isn't suitable for our dogs. It’s wise to let family and friends know why they should keep their festive treats to themselves during celebrations – those pleading puppy eyes can be hard to resist! In reality, your dog could become very ill if they eat certain foods from the Christmas table.
Christmas foods that can make your dog sick
Fatty foods
Christmas food is often both fatty and salty, which dogs don't thrive on. Too much fat can lead to pancreatitis, causing stomach pain and vomiting.
Salt
Salt can poison your dog. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, stiffness, soreness, and cramps can be the result of salt poisoning.
Dough that ferments
Dough that ferments produces ethanol and can make your dog feel a bit tipsy if they taste it. An alcohol-poisoned dog might become wobbly, but also risks more serious complications like shock and unconsciousness.
Sweets and chewing gum
Sweets and chewing gum containing xylitol can increase insulin release, making your dog unwell. This substance lowers your dog's blood sugar levels, and symptoms of lethargy, vomiting, tremors, seizures, and unconsciousness can result from poisoning.
Onions
Both raw and cooked onions contain the substance allicin, which is toxic to your dog. It can cause anaemia and symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, seizures, loss of appetite, and breathing difficulties.
Nuts
Nuts can get lodged in the throat or intestines. Prompt first aid can make a big difference. Some nuts, like bitter almonds and macadamia nuts, are also poisonous to dogs.
Gingerbread
Gingerbread and some other festive bakes with strong spices can give your dog an upset stomach. If you don’t want to spend Christmas Eve scrubbing floors, the best tip is to skip the gingerbread for your pooch.
Pork and poultry
Pork and poultry meat with bones, such as ribs, become brittle when cooked and should never be given to dogs to chew on.
Raisins and grapes
Raisins and grapes might sound harmless but can actually cause dogs to develop the serious condition of kidney failure. It doesn’t take many grapes or raisins to make a dog ill.
When should you contact a vet?
Unfortunately, you don’t always see what your furry friends put in their mouths, so it’s always important to monitor your dog's wellbeing – not just at Christmas.If your dog becomes lethargic, starts trembling, vomits, or shows any other change in general condition, you should always contact a vet.
Worried about your dog? Contact a digital vet who can offer advice when it’s time to visit the animal hospital. As a Lassie insurance customer, you always have unlimited calls to our digital vet service.
