There are many foods that we should avoid giving our pets all year round, but it’s easy for mistakes to happen during the holiday seasons. For instance, you may be having guests around to celebrate, but do your guests know all the foods that you shouldn’t give your pet? In addition, you may think you know all the foods to avoid, but you may be surprised at some of the ones mentioned in our article today, because not all pet owners know all of the foods to avoid. Therefore, we encourage you to read on to help keep your pet safe this upcoming holiday season.
Chocolate, Coffee And Caffeine
We all know not to give our dogs chocolate, but it’s actually the cacao seeds that’s the problem, but it’s not just found in chocolate. The substance in cacao seeds called methylxanthines is highly toxic to pets, and is also found in coffee and caffeine, which is also in many other drinks, like pop and some teas. Moreover, when ingested by pets it can cause seizures, vomiting, hyperactivity and even death, so be sure when you have your celebrations and parties, mop up any spills and be sure to put chocolate and drinks out of reach.
Nuts, Grapes And Raisins
During holiday season many people will have bowls of nuts out and fruit too, needless to say many nuts are extremely bad for our pets, and grapes and raisins are too. That being said, what makes grapes and raisins toxic is still unknown but they can cause kidney failure. Moreover, eating most nuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea and worse, so it’s best to avoid all nuts, but especially macadamia, walnuts, almonds and pecans.
Bones
This one seems untrue because we always hear of ‘give the dog a bone’ and associate dogs burying bones and such, however bones can splinter, especially cooked ones. In addition, a dog may eat bones for years without effect, but it only takes one splinter to end up in the hospital. Therefore, it’s best to avoid bones, but especially chicken bones as they splinter extremely easy. One splinter can become lodged in the throat or in the intestines, which can lead to some serious conditions.
Xylitol
Not an ingredient many generally hear of, but it’s in a lot of things, because it is an artificial sweetener and is used in candy, gum, baked goods, and even toothpaste. Moreover, xylitol can lead to liver failure, because it causes insulin release, leading to hypoglycemia. Some signs that your pet has ingested something with xylitol in it can be lethargy, vomiting, and becoming uncoordinated, and liver failure can occur within a few days.
Finally, everyone should be able to enjoy the holidays, including our best friends, so be sure to keep harmful products out of the way and get some extra treats in that he can enjoy. If you have guest over, be sure to inform them what your pet can and cannot have, or allow them to give the occasional treat you have provided. The last thing you need at holiday time is to be visiting the hospital, which happens to many every year, be informed and be prepared because prevention is better than cure.