The holidays are a time for sharing delicious meals and scrumptious desserts with friends and family. If you have pets, however, you will need to be mindful of the harm that holiday treats can cause your pet companions. Our veterinarians at Trumbull Animal Hospital have compiled the following list of toxic foods for pets so you can keep them well out of your pet’s reach during the holidays.
Chocolate/Sugar-Free Products
Chocolate is highly toxic to pets, particularly dark, semi-sweet chocolate that is used often in holiday desserts. If you’re planning to bake cookies, cakes, or pastries with chocolate, keep these away from your pet companions. The same goes for sugar-free candies or foods which contain the ingredient Xylitol.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits like grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts, which are popular to use in holiday desserts, can be poisonous to pets if ingested. Garlic, onions, and chives are also toxic to your furry friends, so be leery of having pets around when cooking with these ingredients.
Leftovers
Don’t share leftovers with your pet, especially foods with a high fat content as it puts your pet at risk of pancreatitis. Abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are common symptoms of pancreatitis and should be reported to your emergency vet immediately. Once your meal is over, immediately store any leftovers in a safe location to avoid tempting your pet to grab this food from the counter.
Protecting Pets from Toxic Ingestion
Prevention is key to protecting your pet from toxic ingestion during the holidays. Keep your pet away from the kitchen when cooking and away from the dinner table when sharing meals with family. If your pet shows signs of food poisoning – vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, racing heartbeat, excessive drooling – contact your veterinarian right away. Sticking to pet food even during the holidays will avoid food allergies and food poisoning.
See Your Emergency Vet for Toxic Ingestion in Trumbull, CT
To learn more about food allergies or food poisoning in pets, contact Trumbull Animal Hospital. Call our team today at (203) 268-6231 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form for non-emergencies.