Holiday Foods Your Dog Should Avoid!

Should Your Dog Indulge in Holiday Foods?

As with us humans, the holidays provide dogs with the opportunity to overindulge in tasty treats, mostly thanks to the misguided generosity of the people they live with and the guests who visit. In a poll of 2,002 American dog owners, 70 percent said they have to set boundaries with their guests about feeding their pooches during holiday gatherings. Still, there is usually one family member or visitor who can’t resist Champ’s begging puppy eyes. Unsurprisingly, the usual culprit is mom – 29 percent of survey respondents said mom is most likely to feed the dog under the table during dinner. *

So what holiday foods should you avoid feeding your dog?

Doggie Diet Dangers

Keep Holiday Candies and Treats Away from Fido

What about the actual foods we eat during the holidays, those yummy goodies with which we pamper ourselves? Which are bad for our pets? Here are some of the most problematic foods.

• Garlic and Onions

  Most of us have heard that onions and garlic are bad for dogs. But it’s surprising how little of this food can be toxic, or even fatal, to our pets. Half a medium-sized onion could pack a deadly dose for a 10-pound dog. So keep the onion stuffing away from your pooch.

• Grapes and Raisins

  Eating grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite and diarrhea. As renal failure develops, the dog may experience abdominal pain and decreased urine output.

  When it comes time to dispose of that fruitcake nobody wants to eat, don’t look to Princess for help. Instead, regift it to an acquaintance you don’t really like!

• Chocolate

  Most dog owners know that chocolate is bad for their pets. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause hyperactivity, vomiting, panting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias and muscle tremors. Seizures and death may follow.

  Give your dog real kisses (or better yet, belly rubs) and save the chocolate kisses for the human guests!

• Candy

  Your dog loves sweets almost as much as you do, so why not let her have a few holiday nibbles? Terrible idea. Sugar is bad enough for dogs (and for humans), but these days, most candy often contains a sugar substitute called xylitol. Xylitol is a carbohydrate called a sugar alcohol, or polyol. While the absorption of xylitol has minimal effect on humans, it can be profoundly toxic to dogs.

  So be sweet to your pooch over the holidays, but keep the candy out of reach!

• Caffeine

  Caffeine can cause a severe depletion of potassium in dogs, which can in turn bring about a variety of serious heart problems. Keep liquid coffee away from your pet. The same goes for coffee beans and grounds as well as tea, soft drinks, energy drinks and products containing guarana.

  You may need a few extra shots of caffeine to get through the holidays but keep all coffee variants away from your dog!

• Nuts

  Here again, that fruitcake from Aunt Maude poses a danger to your hound. Nuts are high in fat, which can be hard for your dog to digest, and may carry other toxins acquired during growing or processing. In particular, ingesting macadamias can be problematic, leading to vomiting, tremors and even paralysis. Play it safe and keep those dishes of mixed nuts out of Fido’s reach!

• Alcohol

  Make sure Fido can’t reach the rum cake and the bourbon chocolate cupcakes. A dog that has ingested alcohol, or food containing it, may (like a human) show signs of disorientation and lack of coordination. Severe intoxication may result in respiratory depression, cardiac arrest and seizures. Too much alcohol is bad for humans, but no amount is safe for your dog.

Bernese Mountain Dog Begging at the Table

Under the Table Benefits

More than seven in 10 dog owners admit their pups get more table scraps during the holidays than at any other time of the year. And while 78 percent of survey respondents say they strictly monitor what their dog eats in order to maintain their health, about two-thirds of owners admit they deviate from their dog’s typical diet during the holiday season. *

“Just because specific ingredients might be safe for dogs, doesn’t mean dishes containing those ingredients are automatically safe,” said Dr. Darcia Kostiuk, senior veterinarian for ORIJEN pet food. “Natural pumpkin can be a good treat, but most pie recipes are loaded with sugar and cream that dogs have a hard time digesting. Instead, pet parents should stick to lean proteins that mirror ones they might find in their dog’s food, like unseasoned chicken or turkey.”

The holidays are a time when overindulgence can become part of the party protocol. Best to continue to pay close attention to your dog’s diet and avoid the fat, sweet, cheesy delicacies that tempt us humans and push our bathroom scales to the upper limits. Spoil your canine companion with love instead.

Both Holly and Mistletoe are Dangerous to Dogs and Pets

A Final Note: Holiday Plants

Some non-food, holiday items may also tempt our pets and constitute an obvious danger. For instance:

• Amaryllis

• Mistletoe

• Balsam

• Pine

• Cedar and

• Holly

are among the common holiday plants that can be poisonous to pets. Poinsettias can be troublesome as well, but to a lesser degree than previously thought. Candles with vanilla or other food-like aromas can also be enticing and hazardous.

Source: “Who’s feeding the dog under the table?”