A Guide from Ranger Donna: Foods for your furry friends during festivities
So this is Christmas, again and what have you done; for your animals you may have brought them some new toys or a festive jumper to allow them to step into the Christmas fun and as you hang your stocking on the wall you are probably not wishing it was Christmas every day, especially when you are thinking about the mountains of food that need to be prepared – but with regards to your animals, do they know it’s Christmas?
They may be simply having a wonderful Christmas time with lots of extra treats and just like us, treats should be in moderation but are you aware that there is more than just chocolate that can be toxic to your dogs?
Christmas Dinner and Mindful Leftovers
Think about your Christmas dinner (I can’t wait!), roast turkey, beef, chicken or pork, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets, veg…. all topped off by gravy. You may find that there are some leftovers that you think your dog can have, after all they are part of the family, but you could inadvertently be putting them at risk.
Some leftover meat is usually ok, although red meats are often high in salt which, in severe cases, can be fatal, so it’s best to stick to chicken or turkey.
Those leftover bones from any cooked meats – NEVER. Cooked bones are often brittle and splinter easily and have a chance of getting lodged in their throats causing them to choke, ensure that you never feed cooked bone.
Some veg is great for dogs, such as green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, peas and carrots, but they should only supplement a dog’s diet and be part of a balanced diet. If feeding potatoes, they should be cut into small manageable pieces and be well cooked. Don’t offer veg if it has been seasoned or had salt included.
- Onions
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Leeks and chives
These contain a toxin that damages their red blood cells and only need small amounts to do so. Gravy often contains these items as seasoning and flavourings, so avoid giving your dog’s left-over gravy.
Grapes, currents and raisins, even in small amounts can cause your dog to have kidney failure, so as much as those puppy dog eyes may pull at your heart strings, do not give them any of your Christmas cake.
Most people know that chocolate can be toxic to dogs, especially dark chocolate, but any chocolate should be kept out of a dog’s reach, as dogs will usually sneak a bite of anything that they find.
Other toxic foods can include, avocado, macadamia nuts, many dairy products, xylitol (artificial sweeteners). Best rule of thumb is, if you are unsure DON’T feed it.
They say Curiosity killed the Cat - Let's not test this theory!
We all enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer and whilst you may wish to give your dog a kiss under the mistletoe whilst drinking wine, do not be tempted to give your dog alcohol – yes people really do this! Alcohol, even in very small doses can be harmful and lead to damage of the nervous system.
But it’s not just dogs that we have to consider, I have an incredibly greedy cat who will literally eat anything she can her paws on – Yes Winnie, I’m talking about you!
Like dogs, cats should avoid all of the above-mentioned foods but should also avoid dairy products as they are highly lactose intolerant, fat trimmings can lead to pancreatitis, raw fish and eggs can often harbour bacteria and citrus fruits can even cause death. Cats are often especially sneaky and can learn to open the fridge and cupboards, I had one cat who could even unwrap cling film to get at food and leave it neatly unfolded but no sign of the food anywhere!
Considering other animals too
We should also think about other animals at Christmas, some veg peelings and ends can be great for rabbits and guinea-pigs but be aware that too much carrot can cause diarrhoea due to the sugar content, it’s best to give these in small amounts, greens are especially good for them. Rats, especially males, are very prone to kidney damage if they consume citrus fruits and whilst many people think that rats will eat anything – and they generally do, many of the same products that are harmful to dogs and cats, are also harmful to rats.
Final thoughts and useful links
So, ensure that you have yourselves a merry little Christmas, it is often the most wonderful time of the year, but after rocking around the Christmas tree you are very likely to want to have a silent night, so to avoid a late night trip to the vets – which will definitely be no fairytale of New York, be very careful of what you feed your animals and make sure that the whole family is aware as well.
I wish you and your families and your animals a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!!
Ranger Donna
xx
https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-care-advice/toxic-food-dogs
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