Christmas would not be Christmas without some festive food treats including chocolate, alcohol, and mince pies. However, some of the foods that we eat at Christmas and during the year can cause your cats and dogs serious illness, or even death. To help ensure that your pet has a healthy Christmas, we have highlighted just a few of the things to avoid sharing with your animals, as tempting as their begging eyes may make it.
Although your cats and dogs may be attracted to the sweet taste of chocolate, their consumption of it could prove fatal. The stimulant ‘theobromine’ is found in chocolate, with a higher content in dark chocolate. This is toxic for dogs and if eaten can cause kidney failure. For cats, it is the methylxathines in chocolate which is toxic. If eaten it will cause vomiting, diarrhoea, high body temperature, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, abdominal discomfort, excessive thirst, and seizures. This substance can also be found in caffeinated beverages.
Although widely used in human food dishes, the onion family including onions, garlic, shallots, and chives is toxic to both dogs and cats. In dogs, if eaten it causes gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage, both of which can occur a few days after consumption. In cats, consumption also causes damage to the cat’s red blood cells, leading to anaemia; even dried onion or garlic powder is toxic.
Christmas is often a time that people enjoy eating nuts but what can be considered healthy for humans, should in general be avoided by dogs and cats. Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs, affecting their muscles and nervous system resulting in weakness, swollen limbs and panting. Walnuts, raw cashews, and pistachios are also toxic to both dogs and cats.
Another Christmas favourite food for humans are dried raisins which can be found in cakes, biscuits, mince pies and cereal. The same toxins are found in grapes which are the fresh form of this fruit. Consumption of raisins in both cats and dogs can cause kidney failure, which may prove fatal.
The artificial sweetener ‘Xylitol’ which is found in chewing gum and low-fat, diet and sugar free products (including some peanut butters and human toothpaste) can cause severe hypoglycaemia in dogs as it activates an insulin release. For dogs this can then be linked to liver failure and blood clotting disorders.
Both dogs and cats are lactose intolerant and should not consume products containing undiluted milk or cream. Whilst they are puppies and kitchens feeding off their mother’s milk, they will be able to produce an enzyme called lactose. However, as they start to pass infancy, their bodies cut production of this enzyme to minimal levels, resulting in your pet’s inability to digest the lactose causing an upset stomach.
There is usually more alcohol consumed over the festive period by pet owners but beware, do not put a glass containing an alcoholic beverage on the floor or table where you dog or cat can drink it. If drunk, even in small quantities, not only will it cause intoxication as it does in humans but can also lead to sickness, diarrhoea and damage to their central nervous system.
The old saying ‘give your dog a bone’ can also have serious consequences. Any type of poultry bone, whether raw or cooked must be avoided as they can easily splinter causing serious consequences. It is best to give your dog a raw, uncooked marrow bone to chew on or buy them a raw hide bone from a pet shop. You should not feed your cat raw meat, bones or raw eggs as these items can lead to salmonella or E.coli poisoning. Cats can easily choke on raw bones as they can injure their digestive tract or damage their teeth. Raw eggs also contain an enzyme leading to skin and coat problems; however, if you give your cat cooked scrambled or boiled egg this will provide them with a healthy treat full of amino acids and protein.
Two other vegetables and fruits which should not be given to dogs are corn on the cob and avocados. Although sweetcorn can be digested by dogs, the actual cob can cause a blockage in a dog’s intestine. Avocados are also poisonous if eaten by a dog as they contain a substance called Persin which is in the fruit, leaves and seeds. This causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
Whilst there are a number of items to avoid feeding your cats and dogs, they can both share in the Festive fun with treats such as steamed broccoli, peas, asparagus, cooked carrots for cats and raw for dogs. They can also enjoy small quantities of bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe and watermelon (seeds removed). Dogs love eating apples and pears and are happy to have the peel kept on; for cats it is recommended that the peel is removed.
Should your pet have the misfortune to eat something they should not, it is essential you seek emergency veterinary advice.
(Information contained in this article has been researched from a number of respected animal welfare websites)
