In the holiday season it is tempting to feed your dog all left overs and give them a special meal, but you can do harm. Dogs don’t expect a Christmas dinner and as they are on a balanced diet of dried or wet dog food, giving them a massive change to their diet can make them sick or give them an upset stomach.Chocolate – It is widely known that chocolate can harm your dog causing it to vomit or have diarrhea. They will become very thirsty and can cause seizures, affect the heart rhythm, tremors and death.
Grapes and Rasins (including Christmas puddings) – These can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Bones – Bones can cause blockages and choking. Cooked bones are softened and they can get stuck in the throat or anywhere in the digestive track.
Avocados – These contain Persin which may be toxic to dogs.
Alcohol – This has the same effect on dogs as humans damaging the liver and brain and causing vomiting, coordination problems, central nervous system problems, breathing problems, coma or death. The smaller the dog the worse the effects.
Onions and Garlic – You may think these are not anything a dog could be fed but they are common in gravy and stews as it is all forms that cause harm including powdered, raw, cooked or dehydrated. Your dog is unlikely to be affected by a small amount but large amounts or regular amounts can cause poisoning. Thy effect the dog by destroying red blood cells causing Anemia.
Caffeine – This can be fatal and there is no antidote. Caffeine is found in tea, coffee, medicines, supplements and energy drinks. Can cause your dog to be restless, heart palpitations, fits, rapid breathing or muscle tremors.
Macadamia nuts – These can be fatal and as few as six can make your dog ill. Eating chocolate with the nuts will make it worse.
Raw eggs – Raw eggs not only can cause food poisoning like E. Coli or Salmonella but an enzyme in raw eggs interferes with the adsorption of some B vitamins causing skin problems.
Salt – Giving dogs salty foods like chips can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, and seizures. It may even cause death.
Sweets and sugar – These not only are fattening but can contain Xylitol which can increase the insulin in your dogs body causing blood sugar to drop and can cause liver failure. Initially causes vomiting, your dog to be lathargic and loss of coordination. Eventually your dog may have seizures and liver failure can occur in a few days. Sugar also causes dental problems.
Human medicines – It goes without saying to store medicines away from children or pets but do not give them to your dog if you think they need it. You will not know the correct dose and substances such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. And, they can be deadly for your dog.
Your kitchen contains lots of things that can harm your dog like baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and spices.
That all said, you just need to be careful and if concerned take your dog to a vet who may give them an injection to make them sick. Dogs just want love and attention at Christmas and not a mass of food that may cause them harm.