7 Christmas Foods You Should Never Feed Your Dog
Let’s be honest: it’s hard to resist handing your dog a tidbit or two of your Christmas snacks.
Especially when they’re giving you puppy eyes that tug at your heart, we get it. Your dogs are family. So, they should enjoy some of the festivities with us, right?
Absolutely! But some foods that are safe for you are simply not safe for your four-legged companion.
Luckily for you and your dog, we’ve put together a list of common festive foods you should keep out of your dog’s reach.
1. Christmas pudding and cake
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Grapes, sultanas, and raisins are the main ingredients in many popular Christmas treats. Sadly, for your dogs, these ingredients can be deadly.
Sorry, we don’t want to scare you, but it’s true!
It turns out that the tartaric acid in grapes can cause acute kidney failure if eaten by your four-legged friend.
The good news? There are plenty of healthy, dog-appropriate treats available online.
2. Pecan Pie
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Although not all nuts are toxic to canines, think twice before sharing your slice of sticky pecan pie with them. These high-in-fat and salty treats can cause tummy problems for your dogs and ruin their Christmas cheer.
Find other ways to spoil your dog this Christmas with Sparkpaws’ collection of snug and soft-knit sweaters.
3. Chocolate Fudge
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Remember that famous Oreo commercial where the young boy tells his dog, “Mom says chocolate isn’t good for dogs…”?
Well, mom was right.
This indulgent sticky treat can be lethal to pets because of the theobromine content. Symptoms range from diarrhea, vomiting, and excitability to cardiac failure and seizures.
So keep your favorite companion far away from any chocolaty treats this Christmas.
4. Turkey or chicken skin
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Turkey skin tastes so darn good! But it’s bad for your furry friend because of its high-fat content, and all those delicious seasonings can irritate their stomach.
But once the skin is removed, there’s no reason your dog can’t enjoy a piece of turkey meat in moderation. Combine a bit of the breast in a bowl with celery and carrots, and voila! A healthy Christmas dinner your pet will love.
After a day of feasting and eating way more treats than you should - Take yourself and your dog for a walk. Sparkpaws’ comfort control harness is easy to use and gives you maximum control.
5. Mashed potatoes
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Who doesn’t love creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes at Christmas time? And what a great treat for your dog, right?
Well, no. All the ingredients that make mashed potatoes so irresistible can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive system. While a bit of milk probably won’t hurt, all the extra butter and salt can cause an upset stomach and lead to pancreatitis.
6. Steak and Turkey Bones
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So you just finished your Christmas dinner, and turkey and steak bones are all over the table. Your dog looks at you like he’s just died and gone to heaven. But wait!
While chicken, turkey, and steak bones may be a dog’s dream come true during holidays, they can cause serious complications.
The cooking process causes bones to become brittle, increasing their chances of splintering and causing digestive problems.
Instead, buy your dog a raw bone as a special treat for him this Christmas.
7. Gingerbread cookies
While it might be your favorite midnight snack, resist the urge to share a gingerbread man with your adorable puppy. Nutmeg is a common ingredient in these fun-shaped treats and is, unfortunately, toxic to dogs.
Why not bake a batch of specially-made cookies for canines instead? That way, no one has to miss out on the festive fun.
Beyond Christmas treats, why not spoil yourself and your dog with something to wear during the holidays? Check out our matching human and dog clothes for a stylish Christmas at home.
Let’s celebrate - directly from our home to yours,
The Spark Paws Team ♥️