Food Dangers: Keeping Pets Safe Around The Table
The holidays bring many wonderful things to our homes: family and friends, festive gatherings, and plenty of delicious food. For our pets, however, all those tempting smells and extra treats can create new safety risks.
Many foods that are perfectly safe for people can be harmful to pets. A little preparation and awareness can help keep your pet safe while everyone enjoys the holiday season.
Foods Pets Should Avoid
Some foods can cause serious health problems for dogs and cats. Common hazards include:
Chocolate
Chocolate contains substances that can be toxic to pets, with darker chocolate generally posing a greater risk.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause serious kidney problems in dogs. Because the amount that may cause illness can vary, any suspected ingestion should be taken seriously.
Onions, Garlic, and Related Foods
These ingredients can damage red blood cells and may be found in many holiday dishes, sauces, stuffings, and gravies.
Xylitol
This sweetener, also known as birch sugar, can be found in some sugar-free foods, candies, gum, baked goods, and other products. It can be extremely dangerous to dogs.
Alcohol
Alcohol can be toxic to pets, even in relatively small amounts.
Macadamia Nuts
These nuts can cause illness in dogs and should be kept well out of reach.
Holiday Foods Require Extra Attention
The holiday season can make food-related risks more difficult to manage simply because there is more food around.
A plate left on a coffee table, a serving dish within reach, or a child offering a pet a bite can happen quickly. Guests may also be unfamiliar with which foods are unsafe for your particular pet.
Consider letting family and visitors know which foods should never be shared with your pets.
It is also a good idea to keep food securely stored and avoid leaving pets unattended around holiday meals and desserts.
Be Careful With Bones and Fatty Foods
Holiday meals can contain foods that may be difficult for pets to digest or that create additional health risks.
Cooked bones can splinter and cause injuries or blockages. Rich, fatty foods may also cause gastrointestinal upset and, in some cases, contribute to more serious conditions such as pancreatitis.
Even when a food itself is not considered toxic, that does not necessarily mean it is appropriate for your pet.
If you want to include your pet in the holiday meal, consider offering a small portion of a pet-safe treat instead.
Watch the Trash, Too
The holiday table is not the only place where food hazards can be found.
Trash cans can contain bones, food wrappers, cooking ingredients, and other tempting items. Keep garbage securely closed and out of your pet's reach, particularly after preparing or serving a holiday meal.
This is especially important for curious pets who are likely to investigate anything that smells interesting.
Know What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something They Shouldn't
If you believe your pet has eaten a potentially dangerous food, do not wait for symptoms to appear before seeking guidance.
Contact your veterinarian or an appropriate animal poison resource promptly. Be prepared to provide information about what your pet ate, approximately how much, and when the ingestion occurred.
Do not give your pet medications or attempt to induce vomiting unless you have been specifically instructed to do so by a veterinary professional.
A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way
Keeping pets safe around food does not mean they have to miss out on the holiday fun.
Create a safe space where your pet can relax during gatherings, keep dangerous foods out of reach, communicate food rules with guests, and make sure everyone in the household knows which foods are off-limits.
A few simple precautions can help you enjoy the season without an unexpected trip to the emergency veterinarian.
As we head into the holidays, remember that one of the best ways to protect your pet is to prepare before the festivities begin.
Because the best holiday memories are the ones everyone gets to enjoy safely.
