Bark, the herald angels sing!
Christmas is the most magical time of the year – it’s the perfect opportunity to spend time with your loved ones and share the gift of giving.
For many people, their furry friends are also part of the family and are therefore included in the season’s celebrations. From throwing our pooches elaborate birthday parties, to feeding them specialized diets and even taking unpaid pawternity-leave to care for them when they are sick, do we spoil our pets as though they are humans, or do we treat them even better than our own partners?
Innovet Pet – the leading provider of innovative, natural well-being products for pets – conducted a study of 2,500 pet owners and it appears pets are on Santa Clause’s nice list this year because it was found that over one-third of pet owners in Michigan — 35 percent — will spend more on their pet than their partner this Christmas.
If you’re a dog owner, you’re probably familiar with them giving you puppy dog eyes while you’re preparing Christmas dinner (or any meal for that matter). Twenty-nine percent of dog owners admit they give in and feed their pets some of their Christmas meal (like a piece of turkey or some roasted vegetables).
Despite that we treat our pets much like humans, it’s important to know that their bodies can’t process much of the food that we eat – in fact, some foods that are safe for human consumption are extremely toxic to our furry friends. Here are some foods you should definitely avoid feeding your pet this Christmas:
Chocolate and nuts
This contains a chemical called theobromine which is seriously poisonous if ingested in large quantities by cats or dogs. You probably didn’t know that walnuts and macadamia nuts are actually toxic to pets and can harm their digestive, muscle and nervous systems. Keep bowls of treats out of reach.
Raisins, sultanas, currants and grapes
Even small quantities of these fruits can cause vomiting, diarrhea and in extreme cases, kidney failure. Beware of mince pies, Christmas pudding and fruit cake as these often contain all or one of the above fruits, as well as alcohol, which is also not good for your pet.
Fruits with stones
On top of being a choking hazard, the stones and pips of fruit like apples, cherries, peaches, plums and apricots contain cyanide, which is poisonous to pets.
Even though there are many foods your pet cannot consume, there are still some that are perfectly safe to share with them at Christmas, such as:
Turkey
Your furry friend would love a couple pieces of plain, skinless turkey that’s free from any sauce, which can affect their stomach. Make especially sure than there are no bones in this meat as they can get stuck in their throats.
Winter vegetables
Some vegetables are really good for your pet’s health in small quantities as long as they are plain and contain no added oil or butter. Think things like green beans, carrots, brussels sprouts, broccoli, peas, spinach and parsnips.
Potatoes
Everyone’s favorite side dish is also delicious to your pet in small amounts. Again, ensure there is no added oil, butter or salt added.
Once again, be careful of the quantities and types of foods you are feeding your pets as 6 percent of dog owners admit their pet gains weight over the festive period. Some breeds are not built to be heavy, so weight gain can impact their general health and mobility. If you have family over, explain to them why they shouldn’t feed your pet too many scraps off their plate.
Innovet Pet put together an interactive slideshow of do’s and don’ts for a pet friendly Christmas here.