Pet owners may find it tempting to give their beloved furry friends a few scraps off their plates at Christmas dinner.
But experts have warned dog lovers to keep their pets away from seven types of food commonly eaten during the festive period.
Favourites like Christmas pudding, alcohol, and gravy can be poisonous to dogs and can lead to vomiting, convulsions, and kidney failure.
Dogs can also find it hard to digest dairy products so it’s best to keep them away from cheese or any items containing milk or butter, experts from Pure Pet Food say.
Here’s a full list of seven popular Christmas foods that are dangerous to dogs:
1. Christmas Pudding and mince pies
Grapes and their dried counterparts like currents, sultanas and raisins which are found in Christmas pudding and mince pies, are toxic to dogs and even a small quantity can lead to severe kidney failure.
2. Chocolate
All chocolates contain the chemical theobromine which can lead to agitation, hyperexcitability, tremors, convulsions, and problems with the heart if ingested even in small amounts.
3. Onions
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives are poisonous to dogs whether cooked or raw. While initially there can be vomiting and diarrhoea, it also causes damage to red blood cells resulting in anaemia. These symptoms may not show straight away and could take between two to four days, but as soon as you suspect poisoning, call your vet immediately.
4. Gravy
Gravy is really high in salt which can be bad for your canine companion so be careful about giving them Christmas dinner leftovers smothered in gravy.
5. Dairy products
Dogs are lactose intolerant which means products such as milk and cheese can lead to stomach upsets, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
6. Alcohol
Intoxicating your dog with alcohol is very dangerous and will cause some of the same effects we have when we consume alcohol. Even small amounts found in cooked food should not be given to your dog, and veterinary assistance should be sought straight away should your dog accidentally ingest some.
7. Artificial sweeteners
Sugar-free sweetener, xylitol, found in sweets we consume over Christmas is poisonous to dogs and can induce the release of insulin in the body, resulting in low blood sugar and sometimes liver damage. Signs of poisoning can be rapid or delayed, and include vomiting, lethargy, convulsions, and coma. It is also found in chewing gums, mouthwashes, and toothpastes.
