Research has revealed that a third (36%) of owners overfeed their dogs at Christmas, with a similar number (31%) admitting their pet has become ill from human food.
Dogs are not able to properly digest at lot of human food, which is often high in salt, sugar and fat, and contains considerably more calories than an animal of their size should be eating.
Two-thirds of UK owners are unaware these foods can cause serious harm to their pet, the survey revealed.
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Pet health expert at Burns Pet Nutrition , Emily Boardman said “Owners may think spoiling their pets with a little titbit won’t do them any harm but they could be killing them with kindness.
“The best practice is to keep your dog on their normal diet but if you want to give them a little taste of Christmas some plain turkey without bones or skin and some plain potatoes and some select vegetables (carrots, peas, spinach for example) are a safe choice.
“If you think your dog has eaten any of these toxic foods, it is best to make contact with your vet immediately and let them know what they have eaten and how much of it they ate – as this is also important.
“They will be able to inform you whether you need to take them in for treatment or let you know of any symptoms to watch out for.”
Foods to avoid feeding your dog this Christmas
Chocolate
Chocolate contains a chemical called ‘theobromine’, which is toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate the more poisonous it is.
Dogs should not eat chocolate at all. If your dog has accidentally gets hold of some, their risk will depend on their weight, the type of chocolate and the amount they have eaten.
The same goes for milk chocolate, though not as dangerous as dark chocolate, many dogs are lactose intolerant, meaning their bodies can’t digest milk properly. This can cause digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhoea, gas, and abdominal pain.
Turkey or chicken skin
Chicken skin is high in fat and can cause digestive problems, like pancreatitis. This can be painful and even fatal for dogs if left untreated.
Furthermore, the skin may have seasonings and spices that can harm your dog. Generally, it is advised to steer clear of feeding chicken or turkey skin to your pet.
Gravy
Gravy contains high amounts of sodium and fat alongside various other ingredients like garlic and onions that can be toxic to dogs.
If your dog eats gravy, watch them for signs of illness and consult a veterinarian should they start to be sick or have stomach issues.
Bird bones
Chicken and turkey bones are incredibly dangerous to dogs because they can shatter and splinter when crunched.
These crunched bones can produce razor-sharp fragments that can cut your dog’s sensitive mouth, tongue and tonsils, and cause serious throat obstructions and digestive injuries including intestinal blockage when swallowed.
Anything that contains herbs and spices
While several herbs and spices can offer moderate health benefits to your dog in small amounts, large quantities can cause several problems, including stomach upset, bloating, and digestive system issues.
Harmful harms include garlic, chives, borage, mint, oregano and eucalyptus.
Onions
Onions are very toxic to dogs because they contain a toxic principle known as N-propyl disulfide. This compound causes a breakdown of red blood cells, leading to anaemia in dogs.
The toxin causes oxidative damage to your dog’s red blood cells by attaching to the oxygen molecules in those cells.
Stuffing
As with many of the above, s tuffing contains a lot of fats as well as garlic and onions, both of which can wreak havoc with your dog’s stomach and even cause anaemia and further issues.
Pigs in blankets
Sausage meat will usually contain onion and spices and together with the bacon will be very salty and fatty. Eating foods high in fat can lead to a painful condition called pancreatitis.
