Pet owners across the UK are gearing up to include their four-legged friends in the festivities.
Whether you give your dog his own wrapped presents, dress him in festive bows, or prepare special meals, making your pet feel part of the celebration can add extra joy to the season.
However, pet food experts at tails.com, based in Britain, are reminding dog owners to be careful when it comes to sharing Christmas treats with their pets.
While the festive table is often overflowing with delicious turkey dinners and selection boxes, not all festive dishes are safe for dogs. Some common Christmas meals can even pose serious health risks to them.
Here’s our guide to some of the most dangerous holiday foods for dogs – and what to do if your dog accidentally devours them.
Pet food experts at tails.com, based in Britain, are reminding dog owners to be careful when it comes to sharing Christmas treats with their pets (stock image)
Chocolate
While selection boxes and assorted containers are fun festive treats for people, chocolate is a no-no for dogs.
Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that dogs cannot metabolize.
Even small amounts can lead to increased heart rate, kidney stress and nervous system problems.
If your dog consumes chocolate, monitor him closely and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur.
Chopped pies
These festive favorites are packed with dried fruits like sultanas, sultanas and currants and can cause serious kidney failure in dogs.
Even small amounts of these fruits can lead to severe kidney failure in your dog. Dog owners are therefore advised to always keep them out of reach.
These holiday desserts are packed with dried fruits like raisins, sultanas, and currants and can cause kidney failure in dogs
Christmas pudding
Like mince pies, Christmas puddings are full of dried fruit that can be poisonous to your dog.
An additional danger of the seasonal base is that they also often contain alcohol, making this dessert even more harmful to your four-legged friend.
Long leftovers
Dogs are known for sniffing out leftovers, but food left outside for too long can harbor harmful mold and bacteria, with bread, meat and dairy products being particularly susceptible.
Experts at tails.com advise: ‘If you plan to store leftovers, make sure you keep them out of reach of your pet and for no longer than 24 hours or the recommended amount of time on the product packaging .’
Skin and bones
Although regular turkey meat can be a safe treat for dogs in moderation, the skin and bones should be avoided.
Experts at tails.com added: ‘Turkey skin is far too fatty for your dog and eating greasy foods like this can lead to pancreatic problems and obesity, especially in smaller dogs.’
Meanwhile, bones pose a choking hazard to your pet and can cause internal damage because they are too difficult to properly digest, the professionals say.
Onions, garlic, shallots and leek
Foods such as onions and garlic contain a chemical compound called thiosulfate that can be toxic to dogs because it causes damage to their red blood cells and can cause them to become anemic.
These common ingredients in holiday dishes belong to the allium family, which is poisonous to dogs.
They can damage red blood cells and cause anemia, leading to symptoms such as weakness and lethargy.
Foods such as onions and garlic contain a chemical compound called thiosulfate that can be toxic to dogs because it causes damage to their red blood cells (stock image)
Nuts
Although nuts are a festive favorite, they are high in fat and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even pancreatitis in dogs.
Certain nuts, such as macadamia nuts, are particularly poisonous and can cause weakness, tremors and overheating in pets.
Experts at tails.com say: ‘If your dog has eaten a large amount of nuts and appears to be showing symptoms, you are advised to consult a vet as soon as possible.’