While many owners love to let their dogs indulge in the festive season, certain popular holiday foods can pose serious risksThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Foods your dogs cannot eat at Christmas (Image: Getty)
Christmas is a time for sharing, but when it comes to the grub on your plate, allowing your pooch to tuck in could be far more perilous than you’d imagine. Whilst countless dog owners adore spoiling their four-legged friends throughout the festive period, particular beloved holiday treats can create severe hazards, transforming a merry feast into an emergency sprint to the veterinary surgery.
A specialist from Pooch and Mutt disclosed: “Yes, your dog can eat a Christmas dinner and safely join in on other festive eateries. But at the same time, many aspects of your traditional human Christmas dinner are not suitable, and even contain some toxic ingredients that could result in a Christmas trip to the vet.”
Here, we’ve compiled three dishes that your canine companion must steer clear of consuming.
1) Roast potatoes
Roasted spuds might appear innocent enough, yet the canine authority warns that crispy roasties pack too much fat and starch for your furry mate to process properly. Nevertheless, pups can safely munch on simple, cooked potatoes.
More than chocolate and bones can be harmful to your dogs(Image: Getty)
They explained: “As an alternative, when cooking up the roast, boil some potatoes or mash a small amount for your dog without adding any salt or butter. Serve a small portion, as most of the meal should consist of meat and vegetables to avoid your dog becoming bloated and lethargic later.”
What’s more, dogs can’t relish Yorkshire puddings the way humans do. Crafted from flour, eggs and milk, they deliver zilch in terms of genuine nutrition for pets, and since they’re prepared in oil, pooches can end up bloated, sluggish or battling tummy troubles.
2) Cranberry sauce
The canine expert revealed: “If made with dogs in mind! A small dollop of cranberry sauce is ok for a dog to eat, especially if you’ve made it yourself with cranberries and water.
“If you’ve bought it, always check the label. If it contains grapes or raisins, it should definitely be avoided.” They also recommend exercising caution with sugar-free alternatives.
These varieties may harbour sweeteners such as xylitol, which proves extremely poisonous to dogs. When uncertain about the ingredients, it’s wisest to steer clear of offering cranberry sauce to your pet.
Dogs should never eat pigs in Blanket(Image: Getty)3) Pigs in blankets
Whilst pigs in blankets might prove utterly tempting to us humans, they pack far too much fat and salt for your pooch’s delicate digestive system. Nevertheless, your dog can consume chicken or turkey provided it’s lean, white meat free from bones, skin, or additional seasoning or flavouring.
Specialists from Pooch and Mutt explained: “Chicken and turkey are both high in protein as well as low in fat (when prepared correctly), so either meat makes for a juicy, healthy option for a dog’s lunch.
“Avoid the darker pieces of meat, which will be harder for them to digest; cut off the fatty pieces, and avoid the heavily seasoned skin. These parts of the poultry are high in fat, which could cause sickness or, in some dogs, trigger pancreatitis.”
Dining and Cooking