It is the most wonderful time of year, but like any other celebration it doesn’t come without its risks. Here are a few things to avoid this festive season!
Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and whilst this is rarely fatal, it can cause severe illness. Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine and the darker the chocolate, the more toxic is becomes. Should your dog indulge on the chocolate this Christmas, check out the Vets Now chocolate calculator to calculate their ‘sins’ https://www.vets-now.com/dog-chocolate-toxicity-calculator/
Macadamia nuts and certain chestnuts (which are often hidden in breads and chocolate!) can be toxic additions to the festive season, not only causing illness including lethargy and vomiting, but they pose a huge risk of internal blockage, too!
Xylitol is an artificial sweeter found in many sweet treats, but xylitol isn’t a treat you want your dog to eat! Xylitol toxicity can put your dog at risk of life-threatening hypoglycaemia!
Cooked bones are a big NO, at all times of year! Bones that have been cooked are weak and brittle and can splinter when a dog is chewing on them which can harm to a dog’s mouth, throat, and the lining of the digestive system.
Let’s not get too merry! Dogs cannot metabolise alcohol, so beverages, foods, or household products containing different forms of alcohol are a major health risk to your dog leading to dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, liver and kidney problems, and low blood sugar.
Say, NO CHEESE! Blue cheese should not be consumed by dogs as the fungi in blue cheese can lead to digestive upset, fever, and seizures.
Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are in the Allium family, and are poisonous to dogs, with garlic being the highest risk of toxicity. Let us avoid that stuffing!
Whilst tinsel and small Christmas decorations and ornaments are not toxic, they are fun, shiny and love to be nibbled. Ingestion of these can lead to life-threatening blockages, especially tinsel or ribbon with it is long string like texture which is perfect to cut through the digestive tract or wrap itself where it should not.
And finally, avoid your dog indulging in a bowl of fatty left-over food. A high fat meal can not only cause digestive upset but can also cause the pancreas to become inflamed and begin to leak digestive enzymes, which we like to call pancreatitis!
We are a provider of premium first aid kits, with a large range of essential high quality veterinary approved materials and equipment, designed by a registered veterinary nurse with dogs in mind.