Giving your pet a holiday meal of their own might seem cute and fun, but be careful you aren’t giving them food that will make them ill. Some human foods are safe for pets, and others pose a serious hazard. The following foods should always be off the menu for pets.
Anything High in Sugar or Fat
Foods that are high in sugar and fat, like foods cooked in oil, butter, or animal fat, can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting in pets. Avoid letting your pet have latkes, donuts, sweet potato casserole, or desserts like pies and cookies.
Foods or Treats Containing Chocolate
Make sure to keep holiday chocolates out of reach of your pets. If you make any holiday treats that contain chocolate, let your guests know to keep their plates away from the pets and not to put them down unattended on side tables, furniture, or other places your pets can reach.
Alcohol and Raw Yeast
After consuming alcohol, beer, or raw yeast, your pet’s blood sugar level can become dangerously elevated, and they may experience alcohol poisoning. Warning signs are bloat, excessive thirst, panting or drooling, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. More serious warning signs are seizures, loss of balance or coordination, and loss of consciousness or coma.
Raw Meat and Bones
Raw meat can pass along the same dangerous bacteria to pets as it can to humans. Meat bones can be a choking hazard and can also splinter into pieces as your pet chews them. These pieces can cause an intestinal perforation or intestinal blockage.
Toxic Ingredients
If you’re cooking with any of these common holiday ingredients, keep them out of reach of your pet and make sure your pet doesn’t get into any of the finished products:
● Nuts and avocados
● Raisins and grapes
● Garlic
● Onions and leeks
If someone in your household has fed your pet one of these treats, or if your pet has gotten into something and is showing signs of illness, you should call your veterinarian for guidance. An urgent appointment may be necessary to help your pet recover.