It's hard to resist the puppy dog eyes staring at you from the table as you tuck into your Christmas dinner, but slipping your hound a little tasty festive treat can do more harm than good. While dog owners know to keep chocolate far away from their four-legged friends, other foods like gravy has ingredients which could be dangerous.
What makes it even more difficult, is that dogs can be opportunists when it comes to anything that might accidentally end up on the floor or left unattended. It might be best to avoid buying certain ingredients that can be toxic to dogs and could get be snaffled by your pouch.
To ensure everyone has the safest Christmas possible with no unnecessary trips to vet, we've got expert advice. Pet food subscription service Bella & Duke has shared its top ten toxic foods to avoid at Christmas.
1. Raisins
Raisins, much like their fresh version grapes, are toxic to dogs. It's thought the flavonoids, monosaccharides and tannins found in grapes and subsequently raisins, are difficult for dogs to metabolise and can lead to kidney damage and death. Depending on the amount of raisins and the dog, you may have as little as hours to act.
2. Chocolate
Chocolate is a definite no-no for dogs. It contains a substance called Theobromine which is really difficult for dogs to metabolise. Canine Nutritional Advisor, Jude McCoy says the level of toxicity depends on the darkness and concentration of the cacao, so a quality 85 per cent dark chocolate bar should be avoided at all costs.
3. Fruit cake
Fruit cake is toxic to dogs because it contains raisins and sultanas, both of which are the dried version of grapes and can cause kidney damage. Fruit cake also has a very high density of carbohydrates, which is very difficult for your dog to digest.
4. Mince pies
Mince pies contain raisins and sultanas. Many pre-packaged mince pies also comprise of lactose from cow's milk. Dogs lack the necessary enzyme for digesting, meaning it can cause them to have upset stomachs. Not something you want to be clearing up on Christmas Day.
5. Christmas pudding
It seems Christmas and raisins go hand in hand, with Christmas pudding also containing them. Keep the pudding well away from your hound and contact your vet as soon as possible if you think they have eaten one.
6. Alcohol
This might seem like a no brainer keep the booze out of reach of prying paws. An alarming rate of stories of pets stealing alcohol from a stray glass come out each year, the enticing smells of fruity ciders and floral gins can trick your pet into thinking they're stumbling across a delicious treat. In severe cases if your pet does consume alcohol their body temperature can drop and they could experience low blood sugar and fall into a coma. If you expect they've consumed a lot consult a veterinary professional immediately.
