Sharing Christmas leftovers with your Pet,

Posted November 28, 2023 by Danny Reid Category: Dogs

Guide for all Pets

While including our pets in family occasions is nice, be careful not to feed your dog Christmas leftovers. Cooked and uncooked meat can lead to canine pancreatitis, and cooked bones can splinter and become a choking hazard. Avoid feeding your dog chocolate or Christmas pudding, as both have ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Additional festive foods your pet should avoid include:

Grapes, sultanas, raisins, and currants
Cherry pits (and other stone fruit pits)
Macadamias
Corn cobs
Avocado
Alcohol
Lollies & artificial sweeteners
Salty foods (chips, pretzels, crackers, etc.)
Cooked bones
Chocolate
Christmas pudding

Opt for dog-friendly treats if you’d like to indulge your furry friend.

Decorations and wrapped gifts

Dogs are notorious for ripping open presents well before Christmas day. This can be frustrating for pet parents and can also be dangerous for pets, exposing them to substances and food that are harmful to them. If your dog is attracted to presents under the Christmas tree, you may need to hold off putting them out until Christmas Eve.

Power cords and Christmas lights

A playful dog or cat can quickly chew through electrical cords within minutes. To keep your pets safe around your Christmas lights, keep cords tidy and out of sight.

New Year’s Eve fireworks

Many pets can develop a fear of loud fireworks. Create a safe place inside for your pet to retreat, offer treats, and stay with them during fireworks. You can also close windows and curtains and turn up the TV volume to reduce the noise. Also, ensure your backyard and home are secure and your pet’s microchip and identification tag details are up-to-date, as frightened pets can sometimes try to escape.

Signs of an anxious pet

Excessive barking, howling, or whining
Refusing to eat or drink water
Intense pacing, trembling, panting, or cowering
Urinating or defecating indoors
Digging, scratching, or chewing
Excessive salivating or biting themselves

Cats may also display these particular signs of emotional distress:

Hiding or trying to escape
Holding their tail tightly to their body
Hair standing up or holding their ears back
Urinating outside their litter box
Increased vocalisation

If you notice these signs in your pet, put them in a quiet, safe space. Avoid giving them treats as this can reinforce the behaviour.

Caring for an anxious pet

If you’re worried about your pet’s stress levels this holiday season, ask your vet for practical tips and advice. Medication or other therapeutic treatments may be recommended to ensure your pet enjoys a calm and happy holiday season.

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