Food to avoid at christmas
When it comes to Christmas, many dog owners flock to stores to buy their furry friends food, toys and treats to spoil them. However, there are some things that can be dangerous to dogs, and Christmas tends to be the time of year where many dogs are harmed by certain foods and treats. This article will list some common Christmas foods and treats that are harmful to dogs, so that you know to avoid them. In this article we have also included a bonus recipe that is super tasty, really easy to make and is packed with essential nutrients. It is a fantastic Christmas dinner for your pup and we are sure they will love it!
Raisins
Most households tend to enjoy mince pies, Christmas cake or Christmas pudding during the festive period. Although humans can eat this scrumptious dessert, unfortunately it is unsafe for dogs due to the raisin and sultana content, which are toxic to canines and can cause kidney failure if ingested even in small amounts. Therefore, it is important that you ensure any food containing raisins are safely out of reach of your dog, especially when you are not home.
Chocolate
Another food that is toxic to dogs is chocolate, and chocolate is usually plentiful in most households at Christmas time. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous to dogs due to high levels of Theobromine which can cause vomiting, hyperactivity and seizures. It is essential that all gifts containing chocolate are not placed in places that are easy for your dog to reach, such as under the Christmas tree for instance.
Nuts
Macadamia nuts tend to be a common ingredient in several festive foods, and it is not commonly known but they are also toxic to dogs. If ingested they can cause tremors, lethargy, a high temperature and stiffness.
Rawhide
A popular gift that many dog owners purchase for their dog for Christmas is rawhide. Unfortunately, rawhide can cause many problems in dogs, as it is very difficult to digest and can easily cause blockages in the oesophagus or digestive tract. Also, rawhide that is sold during Christmas time tends to be coloured red and green with artificial colourings, as you can imagine, anything artificial probably shouldn’t be given to your dog! Because of this, you should try to refrain from giving rawhide to your furry friend and instead opt for healthy, natural treats. You could even try making your own at home!
Alcohol
Alcohol is also very dangerous for dogs, which you’d probably say is obvious! However, many dogs are poisoned every year by alcohol, especially during the Christmas period, and so it is so important to be vigilant and ensure alcohol is never easily reachable by your dog. Ingesting alcohol can induce vomiting, ‘wobbliness’ and in severe cases, a coma.
Onions
Foods from the onion family should never be eaten by dogs, cooked or uncooked, as they can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and eventually anaemia but symptoms can take a while to become apparent. Many foods contain onions so it is always very important to ensure that your dog is never left unattended around foods that might contains ingredients such as onions, leeks, chives and shallots etc.
Rawhide
A popular gift that many dog owners purchase for their dog for Christmas is rawhide. Unfortunately, rawhide can cause many problems in dogs, as it is very difficult to digest and can easily cause blockages in the oesophagus or digestive tract.
Also, rawhide that is sold during Christmas time tends to be coloured red and green with artificial colourings, as you can imagine, anything artificial probably shouldn’t be given to your dog! Because of this, you should try to refrain from giving rawhide to your furry friend and instead opt for healthy, natural treats. You could even try making your own at home!
Alcohol
Alcohol is also very dangerous for dogs, which you’d probably say is obvious! However, many dogs are poisoned every year by alcohol, especially during the Christmas period, and so it is so important to be vigilant and ensure alcohol is never easily reachable by your dog. Ingesting alcohol can induce vomiting, ‘wobbliness’ and in severe cases, a coma.
Onions
Foods from the onion family should never be eaten by dogs, cooked or uncooked, as they can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and eventually anaemia but symptoms can take a while to become apparent. Many foods contain onions so it is always very important to ensure that your dog is never left unattended around foods that might contains ingredients such as onions, leeks, chives and shallots etc.
The moral of the story is to ensure that all food that is not meant for your dog is safely kept out of reach of them at all times, but it is still important to know what foods are harmful, so you know to avoid them and take extra measures to ensure your dog is safe from ingesting anything toxic. Remember, if your fear that your dog has had access to anything poisonous, it is imperative that you take them to a vet immediately so that they can receive the appropriate care.
Bonus Recipe:
As promised, here is a bonus Christmas meal recipe that you can easily prepare at home and give to your dog on Christmas day. Although we are sure they will love it anytime! The great thing about this recipe is that you can swap out or add extra veggies and other ingredients if you wish, but just make sure to check that they’re safe for canine consumption first! This recipe contains lots of ingredients that are packed with essential vitamins and minerals which provide great nutrition for your pooch. You can serve it warm or cold and it can be fed as a regular meal or once in a while for a change.
Ingredients:
- 500g ground Turkey
- 100g Chicken Liver (optional but recommended)
- 2 Sweet Potatoes, cooked and mashed
- 3 Grated Carrots
- 2 Grated courgettes
- Bag of Spinach leaves
- 2 tbsp organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 tbsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tbsp Mixed Herbs (Oregano, Sage, Thyme and Parsley)
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RAW
Our raw dog food range has been specially formulated to provide natural, wholesome nutrition for your dog by using fresh, quality ingredients that provide essential minerals and vitamins. Our raw food uses human graded fresh meat, and it is manufactured in the UK.
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