It’s that time of year for gathering, cooking, and enjoying a feast with family and friends! Some of you are already putting together your pies and are planning your perfect holiday feast. Many of you also have a cute, four-legged friend underfoot who is desperately hoping that you drop some tasty morsels. If your house looks anything like ours, your pets are included in the holiday celebrations. They may not be allowed table food, but sometimes they may be able to sneak a taste either from your family members or the little ones at the kids’ table who can’t seem to get each bite in their mouth.
Here is our list of the top 5 foods to keep your pet away from this holiday season, and every other day of the year:
1. Turkey/ham bones – These are a choking hazard, they can splinter in your pet’s digestive tract, and they can even cause intestinal obstructions.
2. Garlic, onions, leeks, and chives- They are toxic and can cause both short and long-term damage! These are especially problematic for our feline friends.
3. Yeasted dough – The dough can expand causing damage or ferment resulting in alcohol poisoning.
4. Desserts – In general, there are too many disagreeable and toxic things in desserts and our pets should avoid these entirely.
5. Buttery, greasy, fatty foods – Although delicious, all that added fat can put your pet at risk of developing GI upset and even pancreatitis.
If you are worried that your pet got into something toxic, please call (888) 426-4435 and the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Team can guide you on what you need to do next if our team isn’t around to help.
Happy Holidays!
– Dr. Nicole Chervenka
