The holiday season is a wonderful time of year and full of food delights. This is also the season to make sure our pets do not partake in the wrong types of food, “treats” that can endanger their health. Happy and safe holidays – Eli Enki
- Chocolate— The most famous of these dangers is chocolate, and for good reason. Chocolate can cause serious problems. Avoid this risk and never let your dog have any chocolate.
- Xylitol— Holidays are a time for baking. Many are concerned about sugar in baked goods and some will use xylitol as a sugar substitute. Xylitol can cause severe drops in blood glucose levels for dogs, resulting in seizures, and in some cases, severe liver damage. Even a small exposure to xylitol can be deadly. Gum, mints and candy are likely sources, but xylitol can be found many places. Even just a few cookies or muffins have been known to cause toxicity and even death.
- Unbaked bread dough— Bread dough that contains yeast can cause serious problems. The yeast may expand in your dog’s stomach, resulting in fermentation and leading to alcohol production.
- Alcohol— Speaking of alcohol, be sure your dog does not have access to alcohol in any form. Especially in sweet and attractive drinks. Alcohol can have many of the same acute results it does in people with alcohol poisoning.
- Onions and other bulbs— Onions and other bulbs including garlic, leeks and chives can be very toxic. The result can be signs ranging from nausea to a severe form of anemia that, in extreme cases, can be fatal. These foods are toxic to dogs (and cats) weather they are cooked, raw or powdered. If they are part of your recipes, take precautions so that pets don’t eat the foods that include them.
- Raisins and grapes— Raisins and grapes can also be toxic and cause severe vomiting that leads to kidney failure a day or so after ingestion.
- Garbage— Do not consider your dog a garbage disposal. Their stomach and intestines are generally not accustomed to eating rich foods. Meat trimmings are often high in fat and can result in gastrointestinal problems as mild as “fullness” or as severe as vomiting, diarrhea and even conditions as like pancreatitis.
