The Christmas dinner foods sending pets to the emergency vets

As Christmas approaches and Brits prepare for their Christmas shops, pet owners are being warned of the common festive food and drink items to keep away from pets this festive season.

This comes from Ross Hallifax at pet insurance specialist Purely Pets, who has commented on just some of the most popular festive food and drink items that can be harmful for pets.

Chocolate

A Christmas staple, all types of chocolate should be kept well out of your dog’s reach. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine that’s poisonous to pets and affects the gut, heart, central nervous system and kidneys.

Avoid hanging chocolate decorations on your tree, keep tubs of chocolates out of reach and don’t put any chocolate-filled presents under the tree as pets could get into them,” explains Ross.

Mince pies and Christmas pudding

With many Brits tucking into mince pies and Christmas pudding a stable on the festive table, pet owners are reminded to keep these items out of reach. Even a small number of raisins can cause your pet to become seriously ill as they can cause gut problems and in more serious cases, kidney failure, if ingested.

“Keep these items out your pets’ reach and don’t leave leftovers hanging around – they could prove to be tempting, and dangerous, snacks for your pets,” adds Ross.

Alcohol

Many homes will be stocked up for the season, but if your pet swallows any alcohol it could lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, and could even trigger a coma or even death.

“If any festive drinks get spilled, do clean them up as soon as possible and clear away drinks when they are finished with to prevent accidents,” says Ross.

Macadamia nuts

Nuts have been part of the Christmas tradition for a long time. However, if pets ingest any then they can cause heightened body temperature, lameness, tremors and lethargy within 12 hours of being consumed. “Keep them tucked away in a cupboard and never anywhere your pet can get hold of them,” explains Ross.

Cooked bones

A Christmas roast is a tradition for many families, and whether it’s turkey, beef, or ham on the festive table, pet owners should be aware of the risk that cooked bones can pose. That’s because they become brittle when cooked, so if swallowed they can splinter and cause choking, blockages, or serious damage to a dog’s digestive system.

Blue cheese

Everyone loves a cheese board at Christmas, but while blue cheese can be a festive treat for humans, for pets it can be toxic. The mould used to make it produces a toxin called Roquefortine C, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperature, tremors and even seizures.

“If you have seen your dog eat something they shouldn’t have, it’s advisable to call your vet immediately, rather than waiting to see if symptoms appear,” states Ross. “Poisoning can occur in as little as four hours after consumption, so it’s always best to seek help from your vet as soon as possible. Try and make a note of the suspected substance your dog has ingested as this will help the vet identify the best course of treatment.”