Doggy chocolate poisoning cases are highest in December and its one of the most common reasons for emergency vet visits at this time of year, but beware also of fat and skin from cooked joints, stuffing, cooked bones, certain nuts, blue cheese and salty foods
What’s lurking in your pantry this Christmas?
As well as the frightening fruits I talked about last time, there are other dangers lurking in the Christmas pantry.
These include chocolate, fat and skin from cooked joints, stuffing, cooked bones, and various other foods such as certain nuts, blue cheese and salty foods.
As you probably know, I love chocolate and there is always plenty of chocolate in our house at Christmas (and most other times of the year, if truth be told…). From advent calendars to chocolate coins, boxed chocolates and yule log, it’s everywhere.
Even the wrappers are dangerous, as they still smell of chocolate and can tempt your dog to eat them, when they can cause blockages and obstruction.
Why do dogs end up at the vets at Christmas time?
Doggy chocolate poisoning cases are highest in December and its one of the most common reasons for emergency vet visits at this time of year.
As I tell Gus regularly, chocolate contains theobromine which I can metabolise but Gus can’t. Dogs are particularly sensitive to theobromine which is a cumulative poison and causes overstimulation of muscles, including the heart.
How much is dangerous and potentially fatal depends on the size of dog, how much they’ve eaten and they type of chocolate, dark chocolate being worse than milk or white.
Then there are fatty foods. Many Christmas foods are very rich and full of fat. Too much fat can cause your dog to vomit or have diarrhoea. And can lead to pancreatitis, a very painful and serious condition.
Although your dog can have a small amount of skin and fat, be careful not to give them too much.
Avoid cooked bones too – they can become brittle and easily splinter, causing irritation and obstruction in the gut.
Know your onions
Onion in stuffing is another danger. Onions, leeks, shallots and chives belong to the allium family which contain a substance that can cause abdominal symptoms. Over time your dog may become sleepy, dull, off their food and breathe rapidly. The biggest danger is damage to red blood cells that can cause life-threatening anaemia.
Please also avoid your dog getting hold of:
- Nuts, especially macadamia nuts. Why these nuts are so poisonous isn’t known, but they can cause abdominal symptoms, weakness, especially in the back limbs and your dog may become sleepy, dull and have difficulty walking. These effects can appear within 12 hours and may last up to two days.
- Roquefort and other blue cheeses contain roquefortine C from the fungus used to produce these cheeses. Dogs appear sensitive to this substance and can develop muscle tremors and seizures
- Salty foods and mouldy food. Mouldy foods, especially bread, nut and dairy product mould, can contain toxins causing tremors and seizures. Keep waste food bins securely closed and out of your dog’s reach. Salty foods
Keep a close eye on your dog when every there is food around this Christmas and keep all potentially dangerous foods well out of paw reach. Enjoy them yourself instead.
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
PS Do check out the website Freebies and Blog where you’ll find more information on all sorts of doggy things, including poisonous foods
