Safe Holiday Foods for Pets

Yes, you read it right. Giving holiday food might not be safe for your pet, so to educate all, we have dedicated this article to all pet parents and what are Unsafe & Safe Holiday Foods for Pets. Imagine the table has already been set and your family members have gathered around the table. As you enjoy the delicious turkey, your dog looks at you with puppy eyes as if requesting to have taste of the turkey.

What would you do?

Never give your dog the turkey with skin. It may contain fats and oils which gives your dog a hard time digesting. And if consumed in high amounts, fats may lead to pancreatitis which shortens the lifespan of your dog. Instead, give your dog a skinless turkey.

In this article, you are going to learn about the food you can give to your pet as well as those to avoid during the holiday season. Let’s dive in. 

Foods to give your dog during holidays

In this section, you are going to learn the foods that are safe to feed your dog during the upcoming holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. These dishes may treat your dog well after the holiday meals:

Water

I know you are wondering, water? Huh! Yes, I purposefully placed it here because it is the substitute for alcohol and wine. Dogs love the taste of beer, but alcohol is extremely dangerous to dogs even when consumed in small amounts. Dogs’ livers cannot handle alcohol even in limited quantities, unlike humans.

Instead of giving your dog alcohol, give them water to quench their thirst, and ease food digestion. Even better, you can prepare broth soup to boost your dog’s health. 

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are very nutritious. They contain vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and even dietary fiber to prevent constipation in your lovely dog. You should definitely try out sweet potato treats this coming holiday.  

Apple

Apples are crunchy and sweet and that is why your dog would love an apple treat. Apples also contain dietary fiber, as well as vitamins A and C.

Remember to remove seeds before giving the apple to your dog because they may be toxic to its digestive system if consumed in large amounts.

Cooked Skinless Turkey

Turkey skin is dangerous to your dog’s health because it contains lots of fats that may be difficult to digest. If your dog consumes so much fat, it may develop pancreatitis. This condition leads to vomiting, diarrhea, and general weakness. So, give your dog cooked, skinless turkey as a special treat during the holidays to take care of its health.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins can serve as a delicious dessert for dogs. Whether baked or served plain, pumpkins boost your dog’s health. Even better, they lack allergens that are usually present in foods such as bread rolls. For example, yeast present in bread causes bloating in dogs. Wheat can also cause stomach twisting.

Foods to avoid giving your pet during holidays

While I know you want to spoil your pet during these upcoming holidays with special treats, you may endanger their lives if you give them these foods:

Onions

Never give your pet onions or foods containing onions and garlic. This is because onions contain a chemical known as thiosulphate that causes red blood cells in cats and dogs to burst. Reduction in red blood cells can lead to hemolytic anemia and shorten the life span of your lovely pet. Some symptoms to watch include shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhea.

Nuts

While nuts may not necessarily be dangerous to dogs but when consumed in high amounts, they can be dangerous. Nuts are high in fat and calories which may lead to pancreatitis. What’s more, some of these nuts may block the intestinal tract of your dog if it swallowed them whole. There must be better alternatives to nuts. 

Chocolate

Chocolate contains substances that are highly toxic to both cats and dogs. Caffeine and theobromine affect the central nervous system, cardiovascular and respiratory system. If consumed even in small amounts, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and death in certain cases.

Grapes and raisins

Grapes cause kidney failure in dogs due to the high amount of toxins it contains. Raisins also have more concentrated amounts of these toxins present in grapes. Some signs of poisoning include vomiting and diarrhea within 24 hours as well as hyperactivity. Remember to keep that fruit baskets containing grapes away from your cats and dogs.  

Milk

Pets don’t have adequate amount of lactase which is the enzyme that digests milk and dairy products. That is why cats and dogs stop breast feeding at an early age. Giving your pet milk and other dairy products may cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Control the amount of milk your cats and dog consume to avoid calling the vet during the holiday season.

Conclusion

The holiday season comes with lots of food and special treats for your family and friends. During such days, you may be tempted to feed your dog or cat whatever is on your plate without thinking about its effect. Some foods are extremely dangerous to your dog even in small amounts such as alcohol and grapes. Take care of your pet during the holidays season by giving it healthy foods!

Author: Vincent Otieno