It is that time of the year, the holiday season for festivities, sweet remembrances of the times gone by, and of course, food. While munching on your mouth-watering holiday food, you cannot help but glance at those eyes of your pets, begging to have a bite or two. Before one sneaks a piece of their holiday spread into those furry mouths though, it’s essential to know what yummy feasts could be kosher to your pooch or kitty and which ones would be poisonous. Let us dig into some food-takeaway options for pets and a few key food no-nos everyone can enjoy during this holiday-one even including pets!
Pet-Friendly Foods
We all know that look-the face that seems to say, “Betray me and I will make you the worst parent ever,” if you haven’t shared just a morsel with it. Though perfectly natural, desiring to serve a little bit of holiday cheer to one’s dog or cat-from turkey to cranberries-isn’t going to be okay. But wait, not all foods have the same effects on pets. Fortunately, there are many safe options to share with them-providing you’re careful with preparation and portion size. Here are some examples of pet-friendly foods you could consider feeding:
Plain mashed or roasted potatoes are safe for pets: Just make sure they’re without butter, garlic, or salt.
Sweet Potatoes: Holiday favorites! Serve them cooked and plain—no marshmallows or butter.
Pumpkin: Both fresh and canned pumpkin (pressure-canned varieties may contain preservatives) help with digestion in pets.
Winter Squash: A delightful seasonal treat that’s chock full of nutrients and healthy for both dogs and cats.
Carrots: Crunchy healthy treats for dogs and cats. Remember to chop them up into small bits.
Zucchini: Not high in calories and always good for your pets, whether cooked or raw.
Corn: Off the cob-cut-up corn for pets to munch on, but mayj should never be given the corn cob-near serious digestive troubles.
Green Beans: A good healthy treat in both raw or cooked state for your pets.
Peas-A healthy, safe food to offer your pet on any holiday plate. Just serve them plain—no added salt.
Spinach: Great for vitamins, spinach is actually safe when it needs to be given in small amounts. Too much would lead to stomach upsets, so keep it in moderation. Apples (core and seedless): Apples are great for snacking, just remember to take out the seeds as they give out cyanide, which is very dangerous for pets. Cranberries: Whether fresh or dried, cranberries (without added sugar) are a delicious and safe treat for your pet. Bananas: Sweet and full of potassium, bananas make a great holiday treat for your pet. Melon: Just seed the melon and then: Safe and refreshing. Plain Yogurt: Any kind of plain, unsweetened yogurt can serve as a tiny treat for your dog given he loves dairy. Low-fat cheese: If he generally likes cheese, then a few pieces of low-fat cheese would make an excellent snack. Cooked Eggs: One of the best protein sources is eggs, and when they have been cooked, they will be safe—just not raw, as that tends to pose a high risk of salmonella.Salmon: Very high in Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is healthy and safe for pets when cooked and devoid of seasoning.
Chicken Breast: Plain and cooked, boneless and skinned chicken is an excellent source of protein. Popcorn: The popping process is clear and without additives to create a treat for dogs without moderation because the ingredients within it can be irritating or upsetting to the stomach when consumed in large amounts. Serve these foods as small, plain portions to avoid digestive issues. The main ingredients are supposed to do it simply, plain, and added salt, fat, spices, or seasonings free.
Forbidden Foods
As tempting as it might be to share a few morsels from the forgiving table, certain human food is too risky to give to Fido or Fluffy. From digestive upsets to threats of more serious health issues, knowing what not to feed during the festivities is essential for keeping your pet safe. Some of the worst offenders would include:
Garlic and onions for the dog or cat? Simple poison. Even a small quantity is enough to cause great damage to red blood cells, where the ensuing drop in count causes anemia.
Poultry bones: Turkey, chicken, and other types of poultry are enticing chews; however, poultry bones splinter easily and may only harm dogs-giving them ulcers or obstruction.
Raw meat poses unwarranted health risks because of the likelihood of pathogenic bacteria or parasites present in such meat, causing infection or sickness in your pet.
Raw meat: Raw red meats pose an undue health hazard because harmful bacteria or parasites may exist in such meat, producing infection or disease in your pet.
Macadamia nuts: Macadamia nuts make dogs weak, produce vomiting, and cause tremors. Sharing is not recommended at all.
Chocolate: A glaring holiday no-no! Theobromine is a highly poisonous substance to dogs (also to cats). Even a small bite can result in vomiting, diarrhea, or progressive organ failure.
Artificial sweeteners: Generate the chemical xylitol used for sugar-free gum, candies, and baked goods. Very poisonous for dogs as they can bring about decreased blood sugar levels, seizures, and liver failure. Grapes, raisins, and currants: Extremely poisonous for dogs; small amounts of ingestion can lead to kidney failure. Uncooked yeast-based doughs: Raw dough can ferment in your pet’s stomach causing painful distension and/or could lead to alcohol poisoning. Alcohol: Alcohol is toxic to pets and even small amounts can induce symptoms in them that may be potentially life-threatening like vomiting, disorientation, or shallow breathing.
Although not a complete list, all the major foods that are actually cause for concern for your pet during the holidays are here. Should anything harmful be consumed, call your veterinarian right away.
Pet Holidays, Safe and Fun
It is not a bad idea to share that festive cheer with your pets. Just make sure their goodies are safe and healthy. So maybe give your furry friend a taste of the season in plain, simple ingredients, but in moderation. There are also lots of pet-safe treats to keep your furry friend just as happy basking in festive treats.
If you don’t feel particularly at ease giving your pets from the holiday table, just give them their regular meals with a few extras for good measure. After all, there’s a lot of pet-safe snacking, so your pooch or kitty will feel involved in the festivities with none of the worry!
Ultimately, holidays should be a time for every breathing creature to have well-earned rest and enjoy the company of their other breathing pals-human or pet-. If these tips are followed, then one can make certain that their pets will indeed enjoy their holidays just the same way as they do but keeping health intact and safety in mind.
