Holiday Foods Your Cat or Dog Should Never Eat

Part II - Keeping your Pet Safe during the Holidays 

You spent some time considering how to keep potentially dangerous holiday decorations out of the reach of your cat and dog.  Now let’s talk about the main event of any holiday - the food!  November and December are prime feast days in American culture.  While you and your family can indulge in the foods you crave and love, dogs and cats can be seriously sickened if the ingest certain "people foods".

Yummy Delights as Tummy Troublers 

Thinking of putting that wrapped box of chocolate under the tree?  How about sweets in a stocking?  Holidays pamper to our taste buds with little boxes of love! Baked foods and chocolates add sweetness in relationships and to our moods as well!  But accept this bitter truth- you cannot afford to share this sweetness with your pampered pets. Consumption of these items has been found to be associated with seizure, heart arrhythmia, and gastrointestinal upset. It’s wise to be “cruel” and “indifferent” when you feel the urge in your pet’s eyes as you take a scoop of a chocolate soufflé.   You should also be practical when placing sweets under the tree or in stockings.  Just because it is wrapped doesn’t mean it is hidden.  Your cats and dogs can smell right through that pretty paper. 

Unfortunately, nature does not permit dogs or cats to enjoy the “human sweetness”.   Cats and dogs cannot consume these holiday goodies:

• Chocolate
• Raisens
• Grapes
• Currants
• Milk & dairy products (including ice cream)
• Yeast Dough
• Macadamia Nuts
• Artificial Sweeteners

Spicy meats may be your family’s favorite holiday hor dourves (think Buffalo wings and salamis) but they are simply not meant to be used snacks for the cat or dog.  These items can cause pancreatitis and certainly, an expensive trip to the Vet’s office.  Also, don’t feed your pets anything meats steeped in hot sauces, garlic or onions all of these foods are toxic. 

Last, but not least, keep the holiday cheer for you and your guests.  Cats and dogs should never be given alcohol – beer, champagne, wine or mixed drinks.   Giving a pet alcohol can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, breathing issues and even seizers. 

If your pet ingests any of these items, call your Veterinarian immediately.