Dogs 75% More Likely To Be POISONED At Christmas

With Christmas on its way and many of us ready to indulge in some festive treats, this time of year isn’t always fun for all the family. Dogs are 75% more likely to need a vet visit in December,  so dog experts Kennel Store have weighed in and provided an expert comment on which foods are toxic for dogs, and what owners can do to prevent their dogs becoming unwell. 

“Whilst it may be tempting to share some of the festive treats with our family pets, many Christmas staples are toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or potentially fatal consequences. 

What popular Christmas foods are poisonous for dogs?

• Mince pies
• Chocolate
• Fatty foods
• Sage and onion stuffing

Mince pies

Dogs cannot digest things like dried vine fruits and grapes. This includes currants, raisins and sultanas, as all of these can cause kidney injury, leading to severe kidney failure in dogs. The toxic dose varies from dog to dog, but in some cases your dog can become extremely unwell. 

Chocolate

Chocolate is extremely dangerous for dogs and consumption can cause severe illness, or in some cases death. Chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains a chemical called theobromine, which they cannot metabolise in the same way humans can. 

Theobromine is the main toxic in chocolate, and it’s extremely similar to caffeine. Both chemicals are used as a blood vessel dilator, a smooth muscle relaxant and a heart stimulant in humans, but dogs aren’t able to process these in the same way. Dogs are much more sensitive to the effects of these ingredients. 

Fatty foods

Foods that have a higher fat content are suitable for human digestion, but can make your dog extremely unwell. Turkey skin, gravy and pigs in blankets are all festive favourites but can cause sickness, pancreatitis and upset stomachs. 

Sage and onion stuffing

Stuffing contains a host of ingredients that can be potentially harmful for dogs. Shallots, onion, garlic, leeks and chives are all part of the allium family, and can be found in many Christmas stuffings. These plants  each contain a substance which has the potential to damage your dogs red blood cells and can cause life-threatening anaemia. 

What should I do if my dog has eaten something poisonous? 

If your dog has been poisoned, it’s important to act quickly. Some symptoms can manifest quickly, or can take a few days to show. Keep an eye out for the following: 

• Vomiting
• Bleeding from orifices
• Seizures
• Excessive salivation
• Loss of consciousness
• Drowsiness

Poisoning in dogs is life-threatening and is an emergency. If you suspect poisoning, you need to take your dog to the vet immediately for further medical advice. Take note of what you suspect your dog to of ingested and inform your vet of this. This will allow your vet to best prescribe the best course of treatment."