10 toxic foods your pets should avoid this Christmastime

THE festive season can be a dangerous time for pets, with an abundance of food around the house that may pose a threat.

While it is well-known how toxic chocolate is to pets, there is a wide range of other treats that also pose a risk, so it is important pet owners know what their pet can and cannot eat.

To ensure Christmas is a happy and safe time for owners and pets alike, Bella and Duke’s Canine Nutritional Advisor, Jude McCoy has listed her top 10 festive foods owners should avoid giving their pets.

Raisins

Raisins, much like their fresh version grapes, are toxic to dogs. It is thought the flavonoids, monosaccharides and tannins found in grapes and subsequently raisins are difficult for dogs to metabolise and can lead to potential kidney damage.

Chocolate

Chocolate is a definite no-no for dogs. It contains a substance called theobromine which is really difficult for dogs to metabolise. The level of toxicity depends on the darkness and concentration of the cacao, so a quality 85 per cent dark chocolate bar should be avoided at all costs. Play on the side of caution and keep all chocolate far from their reach.

Fruit cake

This cake is toxic to dogs because it contains raisins and sultanas both of which are the dried version of grapes and can cause kidney damage. Fruitcake is also has a very high density of carbohydrates, which is very difficult for your dog to digest.

Mince pies

You guessed it, they contain raisins and sultanas! Many pre packaged mince pies also contain butter and cow's milk which contains a sugar called lactose, which dogs lack the necessary enzyme for digesting. Ingesting lactose can then cause digestive discomfort for your furry friend.

Christmas pudding

Again it’s those pesky raisins and sultanas! If eaten, you should consult your vet straight away.

Alcohol

This might seem like a no brainer to keep the booze out of reach of prying paws. An alarming rate of stories of pets stealing alcohol from a stray glass come out each year, the enticing smells of fruity ciders and floral gins can trick your pet into thinking they are stumbling across a delicious treat. In severe cases, if your pet does consume alcohol their body temperature can drop and they could experience low blood sugar and fall into a coma. If you expect they have consumed a lot consult a veterinary professional immediately.

Cheese

While it is hard to say across the board that all cheese is bad for your dogs, many are high in fat and should be given in moderation. There are some safe options such as cottage cheese, feta and goat’s cheese that are a delicious treat but avoid the likes of blue cheese as the moulds are not good for your pets to ingest and can result in vomiting.

Gravy

While many think gravy will make a tasty topper for the pet’s dinner, it can often contain a lot of salt and sometimes onions! This can lead to salt toxicity and dehydration in your furry friend, a great alternative that you can use without compromising taste is a natural bone broth.

Onions

These contain a substance called N-propyl disulfide, which whilst hardly noticed by humans is toxic to our pets. It can lead to the breakdown of their red blood cells so while you think it could make a tasty topper for their Christmas meal, be careful giving them any sauces, broths or gravy containing them.

Cooked bones

While raw bones are a great option, given under supervision and in moderation, to keep your pet occupied, in their cooked form they are brittle and easily fragment into sharp shards. They can get stuck in your dog’s throat, stomach or intestines. Opt for treating them this Christmas with a natural chew that can keep them busy during the festivities.

Jude McCoy, Canine Nutritional Advisor at Bella and Duke, said: “Christmas isn’t just a holiday for humans any more but our pets, too.

"We all like to treat ourselves and indulge in a variety of different foods while we share the festivities with friends and families. With this comes an extra element of risk for our pets as the house gets filled with tasty treats.

"We need to take the added level of precaution to ensure our pets don’t get their paws on anything toxic, it’s better to be safe than sorry so stick to feeding them natural species-appropriate treats to avoid any unnecessary trips to the vets.”