Foods Your Pets Should Avoid During the Holidays

Every year for the holidays, we wind up sharing our celebrations with our pets. The holidays are such a fun time of year, so it's no surprise that we want our pets to be part of it. There's a lot of food involved. People are busy eating everything from pumpkin pie to candy canes between Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, the foods that people like to eat aren't always good for pets. 

To help keep your pet safe during the holidays, here's a list of some common holiday foods that they shouldn't eat:

 

Yeasty Doughs

Imagine leaving a yeasty dough on the kitchen counter for your apple pie, and then suddenly, your pet gets interested and decides to take a bite. Doughs are made with yeast (a fungus) that can cause intestinal upset and respiratory problems in dogs. Additionally, when dinner rolls are left unbaked, and your dog eats them, they will expand in their stomach. This could cause them to bloat, which is painful for the animal and dangerous because it can lead to an infection.

 

Alcoholic Beverages

This might sound a little bit strange, but even a little bit of alcohol can cause serious liver damage in dogs. Alcoholic beverages should never be given to pets. Of course, that's common sense. But the thing is, some foods contain alcohol when we cook them—like rum-soaked fruitcake.

 

 

Chocolate

Everyone wants sweets during holidays. But we should avoid chocolate treats for our pups. Chocolate has a chemical called theobromine that can be toxic to dogs and cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors and heart arrhythmia. The amount of chocolate that could harm your dog depends on the type and quantity of the chocolate that they eat. Do, however, put the chocolates out of reach in case your dog decides to snatch them.

 

Bones

Whether cooked or raw, a bone from a chicken or turkey carcass can be dangerous for dogs to eat. Cooked bones splinter easily and can cause blockages in your dog's digestive tract. Raw bones can also splinter and cause blockages, but they can also become lodged in your dog's throat or cause tooth fractures. You might think bones are okay for dogs to eat because they're natural, but they really aren't safe for dogs to consume. Just give them a treat instead.

 

Need a Pet Care Professional?

We’re here to help. At Culebra Creek, we take the time to get to know your pets and their needs. We’ll provide personalized care and treat them as though they were our own. We want to ensure your pets have a happy, healthy holiday season this coming holiday.

Need a safe & fun place for your pet to stay during the holidays? Book your pet's boarding appointment now before we book up!