Pet-proof your Christmas: festive foods you should never feed your pets

It's easy to get swept up in all the festive excitement and treat your pets to a bite of stuffing or a nibble of your mince pie – but resist those big puppy eyes at all costs.

Some Christmas food staples may seem harmless but can be seriously dangerous to your dog or cat and make them poorly.

And it's not just harmful foods to watch out for – winter poses its own risks to our beloved companions. Read on for the lowdown on keeping your furry friends safe and healthy during the festive winter season.

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1. Chocolate

It's one of the most well-known no-no food for dogs, but did you know chocolate is just as dangerous for cats too? It contains caffeine and theobromine, a chemical that's toxic to dogs and cats. It can cause agitations, tremors and heart problems.

The darker the chocolate, the more potent the theobromine levels become. White chocolate doesn't contain enough to be toxic but it will still make your pet feel sick.

2. Christmas pudding, mince pies and nuts

Most festive desserts and snacks are unsafe for pets.

Foods containing dried vine fruits including currants, sultanas and raisins can cause kidney damage or kidney failure in cats and dogs, even in small quantities. Plus, the common Christmas seasoning nutmeg contains myristicin, a compound toxic to dogs and cats – even a teaspoon of it can cause dehydration, incoordination and high blood pressure. So keep those Christmas puddings, fruit cakes and mince pies away from prying eyes.

You'll also want to keep an eye out for foods containing macadamia nuts and walnuts. These can be highly toxic, potentially causing lethargy, neurological problems and seizures in pets.

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3. Allium vegetables, blue cheeses and corn on the cob

Most foods belonging to the allium plant family – that includes leeks, onions, garlic, shallots and chives – are poisonous to dogs and cats. They can cause sickness and, more worryingly, damage to their red blood cells, which can lead to anaemia. 

Additionally, while many dogs can enjoy a sneaky cube of cheddar as a treat, you should keep them away from blue cheeses such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola and stilton. These cheeses contain a fungus called roquefortine C, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperatures and even seizures in both cats and dogs.

Cheese is also high in salt and fat, which can lead to health problems later in life for your pet if eaten too frequently.

Pets should avoid eating corn on the cob as well. Although it's not poisonous, parts of it can break off and cause a blockage in their intestinal system.

4. Artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweetener xylitol can induce the release of insulin, resulting in low blood sugar and sometimes liver damage.

Xylitol is found in lots of things, including sweets, baked goods and peanut butter. Always check the ingredients of products before feeding any food to your pet.

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5. Animal bones

Thinking of letting your pet chew on the leftover bones from your turkey roast? Think again.

Pieces of bone – particularly cooked bones – are likely to splinter off and can lodge themselves in the oesophagus or cause tissue damage inside the mouth or throat. 

You can buy bones for dogs from most pet stores that are much safer for their consumption, but you should always supervise your dog while they chew it, and take it away once you suspect the pieces are getting too small.

It's recommended to only give your dog a bone for 10 to 15 minutes at a time to avoid dental abrasion.

What to do if your cat or dog becomes ill

The key to keeping pets safe over Christmas is prevention. But even after all precautions are put in place, pets still sometimes manage to become ill or get injured. It's essential to know what to do in more serious situations.

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) recommend the following:

• If your pet is showing signs of poisoning, such as collapse, severe tremors or convulsions, take your pet to the vet immediately.
• Do not try to make your pet vomit and never give them salt water (it can be lethal).
• If you are unsure if a visit to your vet is necessary, call your vet or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509 000, charges apply) for advice.

For more information on dangers for pets this season, see advice from the VPIS through its Winter Hazards leaflet or Christmas Hazards leaflet.

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Other winter hazards to look out for

It's not just food to be wary of. Inquisitive pets can get themselves into all kinds of trouble, especially in the winter. 

Antifreeze

Even a small amount of ingested antifreeze (ethylene glycol) can seriously damage your pet's kidneys. Some snow globes contain antifreeze, so take care to display them out of reach, and clear up carefully if one gets broken.

Symptoms may not appear for several days, and include lethargy, vomiting, seizures, and excessive drooling.

Christmas trees and decorations

Real or fake, Christmas trees are a particular risk to curious cats who can climb up the branches and get tangled in tinsel, damage ornaments, or knock the whole thing over.

More worryingly, your pet may try to chew through the electrical wires of fairy lights and seriously hurt themselves – or pose a fire risk.

If you've opted for a real tree this year, be wary of the pine needles. Although they are low toxicity to pets, they can cause stomach upsets, get stuck in paws, and be a sharp choking hazard.

To pet-proof your Christmas tree:

• Ensure the base of your tree is anchored and secure.
• Don't use small, delicate or breakable ornaments, especially glass ones.
• Avoid hanging tempting things on the lower branches.
• Cats hate citrus smells, so place orange and lemon peels at the base of your tree to deter them.
• Wrap tin foil around the base of the tree – lots of pets hate the feeling of it on their paws and should steer clear.

Dangerous festive plants

Although the risk of serious poisoning is low, holly, mistletoe berries, and ivy leaves, which usually make up Christmas wreaths, can cause a stomach upset for your pet if ingested.

Luckily, the classic Christmas plant poinsettia – despite a bad reputation – is unlikely to cause them too much harm. It can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, but no more than most other plants.

If you're a fan of lilies, be aware that the leaves and pollen can be extremely toxic to pets, with cats particularly at risk. Lilies from the family 'Lilium' may cause mild stomach upset in dogs but can cause kidney failure in cats.

Winter weather conditions

The winter months can mean icier conditions and poorer visibility, so road and outdoor safety for your pet is very important.

Consider investing in a top-quality dog harness or reflective safety gear for your winter walks. And if your cat likes to explore outside, make sure they come in at night.

Depend on the breed you've got, it may become too cold to walk your dog. Small and medium dogs with thin coats will often struggle once the temperature drops below zero (0°C), while bigger dogs with thicker coats can usually withstand slightly colder temperatures.

Your dog will likely let you know when they're cold by shivering, whining, or lifting their paws off the ground. You may want to consider getting them a coat or boots for chilly walks (and why not get yourself a matching waterproof jacket?).

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Safe Christmas foods for pets

If you want to include your furry friend in the festivities, the Blue Cross says that there are some parts of a Christmas dinner that are okay to feed them as a little treat, provided it's unseasoned and your pet is not allergic to any of them.

The following foods are safe for both cats and dogs:

• Turkey meat (no skin or bones)
• Salmon (cooked in spring water) 
• Lamb meat (no bones)
• Green beans
• Brussels sprouts (boiled)
• Broccoli (boiled or steamed)
• Parsnips (boiled)

Remember that treats like these are okay from time to time, but cannot replace a balanced and complete meal consisting mainly of high-quality dog or cat food.

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