With the holiday season comes parties, family gatherings and plenty of opportunities to indulge in delicious holiday fare. And since it is the season of giving, it’s hard not to be tempted to share your leftovers with your cat or dog. Although your pet doesn’t need the extra calories, there are some human foods that are safe to give your animal in moderation and some that you should never feed him. Before you prepare your next holiday feast, check out the photo gallery below to make better food choices for your pet. And make sure you talk to your veterinarian before introducing a new food into your pet’s diet.
Turkey
It’s hard to ignore a pet begging under the table for a
morsel of turkey. Luckily for your dog or cat, you can give him a little bit of
this holiday staple as long as you remove the skin (too rich and fattening),
remove the bones (they can be choking hazards and can splinter and cause digestive tract issues), and avoid raw or undercooked meat (a potential salmonella
risk).
Mashed Potatoes
It’s usually OK to give your animal a small portion of
mashed potatoes as long as it doesn’t contain any butter, garlic, cheese, sour cream,
bacon drippings or other rich toppings. Better to save all those yummy fixings
for yourself (and your guests).
Carrots
Though your delectable glazed carrots are not a good choice
for cats and dogs, cooked carrots without any added sugar or salt are safe to give
animals. It’s also usually safe to give dogs raw carrots, but they can be a
choking hazard for cats.
Gravy
It may be a delicious sauce for your turkey and mashed
potatoes, but most gravies are too rich for your dog or cat. Instead, you can pour a little low-sodium chicken broth over your pet’s food.
Green Beans
The classic holiday casserole topped with crispy fried onions contains too many rich and risky ingredients for pets, but cooked green beans can be a safe, low-calorie treat for both dogs and
cats. Raw green beans can also be eaten by dogs but are a choking hazard for cats and should be avoided.
Chocolate
Keep your chocolate Advent calendar and gelt as far away from your pet as possible — chocolate can
be life threatening for cats and dogs. As a general rule, the darker
the chocolate, the riskier it is for your pet. Chocolate contains two
ingredients that can be toxic: caffeine and a chemical called theobromine.
Unbaked Bread Dough
It seems harmless,
but unbaked bread dough can cause all sorts of trouble for your pet. If
ingested, it can expand in the stomach. If the stomach twists cutting off the
blood supply, emergency surgery can be required. Plus, the yeast in the dough can
produce alcohol, which can lead to seizures and respiratory failure.
Alcohol
Liquid spirits may help you get into the holiday spirit, but
it’s never a good idea to give alcohol to your pet. Signs of toxicity can include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression,
difficulty breathing, tremors, coma and death.
Sugar-Free Candy and Baked Goods
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener often found in
sugar-free gum, candy and mints. If ingested, it causes a sudden release of
insulin in a dog’s body, leading to dangerously low blood sugar. It can also
cause liver damage. Signs of poisoning, such as vomiting and diarrhea, can
occur in less than 15 minutes after accidental ingestion. If left untreated,
the condition can be fatal. If you suspect your pet has ingested xylitol, seek
veterinary care immediately.
Macadamia Nuts
Whether they’re in a bowl, in a cookie or covered in
chocolate, macadamia nuts should never be given to pets. Signs of poisoning
include depression, weakness, vomiting, tremors, lack of coordination and joint
stiffness.
