We all associate the Christmas season with wonderful feasts of festive food. Large joyous meals and rolling around with full groaning tummies. Mince pies, turkeys, chocolate and other decadent treats. Many of us want to spoil our pets too and add special treats to their bowls. Herein lies the problem though and all too often an over enthusiastic well-meaning owner ends up at the vet with a rather unhappy pet. What should you be careful of?
Pets are not small humans and unfortunately many of the things we consider treats can be harmful to your cat or dog. Never feed your pet anything very rich such as turkey skin, marinated meats or cream.
Feeding your pet large amounts of anything (even lean meat) can lead to digestive discomfort.
Onions, Garlic and Chives should never be fed to animals as it causes the breakdown of red blood cells and can make your pet severely ill. Alcohol is dangerous as pets are influenced by a much smaller amount than we are and can be made to feel very uncomfortable. Raw eggs can cause salmonella infections which can in turn affect the entire family. Fat can lead to pancreatitis and bones can break teeth, obstruct or even tear the intestines.
What about sweet treats? As with us, excessive calories lead to obesity and its resulting problems.
Once again, what may seem like a small amount to us has a much larger effect on your pet. A small biscuit is equivalent to a hamburger. Now imagine eating a hamburger every day on top of your normal meals!
Cats and dogs are unable to digest grapes and raisins and eating these may lead to kidney failure. Remember not to feed your beloved animal Christmas Cake.
Chocolate can make your pet fat, but the theobromine in it can also lead to serious consequences such as heart murmurs, tremors, seizures and death. Dark and cooking chocolate is the most dangerous, but all chocolate should be avoided. Caffeine may also lead to seizures and hypersensitivities. Never feed you pet raw dough. The dough will expand in the cat or dog's stomach and cause extreme discomfort. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in diet foods, some kinds of candy and toothpaste. In animals this product can lead to liver failure and seizures.
These are but a few of the things we may eat commonly that may affect your pet. Don' t feed foods that were not designed with pets in mind. Read the labels closely and always feed, even dog or cat food, in moderation.
Last Christmas most of our emergencies were food-related (old leftovers, turkey bones, too much fat).
There are several healthy treats available for pets. If you want to include your dog or cat in the celebrations feed it a safe and healthy treat and make your holiday a happy, stress free time.
Article by Dr Lillian Hirzel of Hilton Vet Hospital.