Why You Shouldn’t Feed Your Pet From the Holiday Table

The holiday season, filled with Christmas and New Year celebrations, often features a variety of festive dishes. For pet owners, it can be tempting to offer their dog a bone or share some fish or sausage with their cat as they look on longingly. However, it’s essential to remember that human food can be harmful to pets—not just during the holidays, but all year round.

The veterinarians at Animal Clinic share why certain foods are dangerous for pets, how to recognize the signs of poisoning or choking, and what to do in case of an emergency.

Foods That Are Harmful to Pets

Even a small bite of festive treats can cause adverse reactions in pets, as their bodies aren’t designed to process many human foods. Ensure that neither you nor your guests give your pet any of the following:

• Chocolate: Even a small amount can disrupt a pet’s heart rhythm, cause diarrhea or vomiting, and, in larger quantities, lead to seizures or death.
• Grapes and Raisins: These can damage kidney function and, in severe cases, cause kidney failure.
• Fried, Fatty, or Spicy Foods: These can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.

Bones are also a no-go. While often seen as a treat for dogs, bones can:

• Get stuck in the throat.
• Cause vomiting or constipation.
• Damage the stomach or intestines, sometimes leading to perforation, which requires emergency surgery.

Additionally, keep alcohol away from pets. Dogs and cats lack the enzymes needed to metabolize alcohol. Even a small amount can result in diarrhea, vomiting, poor coordination, and in severe cases, coma or death.

Signs of Poisoning and What to Do

Despite your best efforts, someone may feed your pet something harmful. Learn to recognize the signs of poisoning:

• Excessive drooling.
• Dilated pupils.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Refusal to eat or drink.
• Lethargy or restlessness.
• Shaking, seizures, or loss of coordination.

First Aid for Poisoning:

1. Offer your pet a weak potassium permanganate (manganese) solution: dissolve a few crystals in half a liter of water.
2. Administer an adsorbent like Enterosgel or activated charcoal (1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight).
3. Immediately take your pet to a veterinarian.

What to Do if Your Pet Is Choking

Pets might snatch a large piece of meat or other food and choke while eating too quickly. Signs of choking include:

• Pawing at their mouth.
• Excessive drooling.
• Gagging or retching.
• Persistent coughing or body tremors.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Wheezing sounds.
• Blue discoloration of the gums or tongue.
• Loss of consciousness.

How to Help a Choking Pet:

• Try to remove the food piece by hand, holding the pet’s jaws open.
• For small dogs, lift them by their hind legs and gently shake them.
• For medium-sized pets, lift their hind legs while applying gentle pressure to their lower ribs.
• For large pets, firmly press on their abdomen to induce coughing.

If these methods don’t work, take the pet to the veterinarian immediately.

Safe Treats for Festive Seasons

You can still pamper your pets during the holidays with treats specifically designed for them. These are safe and won’t harm their health.

We wish you a cozy and carefree holiday season with your furry friends!