The holidays are here and though it’s a wonderful time for giving, there are some things that you should not share with your furry little friends. We spend hours in the kitchen cooking up delicious meals, but we have to remember that no matter how good they look, most ‘people’ foods are not good for dogs. I spoke to my vet and here are some kitchen ‘treats’ that you’re gonna want to keep far away from your four-legged friends.
1. Rich foods can make your dog very ill. Stay away from cookies, chocolate and other sweet desserts. A dog’s digestive system is not adapted for such rich foods, and chocolate contains theobromine, which can be harmful and even fatal.
2. Keep the booze to yourself! As funny as it sounds, you should never give alcohol to your pet. These beverages can cause a list of problems including alcohol poisoning and in some cases, can even put your dog into a coma. Be sure to keep your holiday cocktails far away from your furry babies!
3. They add a lot of flavor to most meals, but onions are not something that you want to add to your dog’s daily dish. Canines must be prevented from ingesting onions because they don’t have the stomachs to…well, stomach them! Their bellies do not have the enzyme that is necessary to metabolize a certain substance contained in these vegetables. Onions can destroy red blood cells and even cause anemia.
4. Frozen grapes make for a wonderful snack during the holiday season, but don’t even think of passing one over to your pet! This fruit can create some gastrointestinal problems including vomiting and diarrhea. There’s even been some cases of kidney failure in dogs who have consumed grapes. And in case you’re wondering…this goes for raisins too!
5. It’s cold outside! If you choose to leave your pets water bowl outside, make sure it isn’t made of metal! Your pets tongue can freeze to the metal so switch to plastic or ceramic bowls. Check the bowls outside frequently and break the ice when the water freezes. And if you keep the bowls inside, always remember to give fresh water daily!
If your pet consumes any of the foods listed above, contact the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435
$49 for $330 Dental Cleaning
