Vets warn Christmas dinner ingredient can be very ‘poisonous’ for dogs
To ensure an enjoyable festive season for all members of the family, including your four-legged friends, there’s one ingredient you should keep away from your dogs.
The British Veterinary Association found that 80 per cent of vets encountered at least one incident of toxic substance ingestion over the Christmas period.
Tom Sadler, founder of pet accessories retailer Fur King, shared some advice on what foods to avoid and how to prepare a dog-friendly Christmas feast. Surprisingly, onions top the list of harmful substances. Considering that onions are used in most stuffing, sausages and sauces sold during the holiday season, onions pose a significant risk to dogs, even in powdered form.
Veterinarian Veronica Higgs, Pet Doctorwarned: “Onions are poisonous to dogs and should not be eaten. Whether cooked or raw, onions and all parts of the onion plant, including the bulb, leaves, juice and processed powders, are poisonous to dogs. Onions of any kind should not be included in your pet’s diet or treats.”
Sadler noted that many stuffings and broths contain onions, which can damage a dog’s red blood cells, potentially leading to anemia, lethargy and shortness of breath.
This toxicity extends to all types of onions, whether raw, cooked, powdered or dried. Tom warned: “Even letting your dog lick the gravy boat can cause problems.
“These foods are also often high in salt, and too much of them can cause increased fluid load, leading to increased blood pressure and worsening symptoms of heart disease. As the amount of salt increases, this leads to salt toxicity.”
But onions aren’t the only festive danger facing your four-legged friend. The festive season brings merriment that often includes alcoholic beverages. However, if your beloved pet consumes even a small amount, it can cause vomiting, confusion, tremors, and dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Although many foods are off-limits to dogs, there’s no need for them to miss out on the celebrations entirely. Tom has designed a safe, delicious and totally festive meal for your canine friends to enjoy.
Skinless, boneless turkey breast prepared without spices. For those who want to offer bones, ensure constant supervision by choosing raw, meaty, easily digestible options such as turkey neck or wings.
Steamed or boiled carrots along with leafy greens are excellent choices for your four-legged friend. Plain sweet potato puree is nutritious, full of vitamins A, C and B6, and rich in fiber, which supports healthy digestion. Cook a plain turkey carcass in water with spare bones to create low-sodium turkey broth.
Tom added: “Teaching your dog a firm ‘leave it’ cue is one of the most important life skills for him to learn, arguably more important than ‘sit’ or ‘down.’ A dog that learns impulse control will be safer in the long run.”
“Management is also key. If you know your dog is tempted by food, it’s your responsibility to prevent them from accessing the food. Put food out of reach and clean up spills before they get to it.”
“Every year, we hear people say their dog ate chocolate or drank alcohol and survived, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Toxicity depends on the dog’s size, age and even genetics, so what one dog can tolerate could make another seriously ill.”
“A little preparation goes a long way. Christmas can be chaotic, but if we’re careful and set boundaries early, our dogs can safely enjoy the day without missing out on the fun.”
