(KNSI) — Christmas and holiday gatherings often involve lots of food, and while it may be tempting to slip the cat or dog a goodie here and there, veterinarians say, resist those puppy dog eyes and just say no.
Dr. Susan Nelson says ingredients like xylitol cause low blood sugar and liver failure. “People don’t think about it. It can be in baked goods, sugar free candies. It can also be in our medications.”
She adds that fatty pieces of meat, along with prepackaged flavorings, can also be harmful to dogs. “It can cause pancreatitis, which can become life-threatening for them. Some gravies are made with onion powder, which is a lot more concentrated than just plain onion. They can have garlic powder and things like that in them as well, which can also be an issue.”
Dr. Nelson urges pet owners to protect their pets by also discouraging guests from giving them any type of food. “It will encourage begging behavior, and you don’t know what they might be feeding them. There again, it can be more problematic depending on what pieces they’re slipping them.”
Foods that can cause problems include nuts, raisins and grapes, raw dough and chocolate.
If pets still pester you during mealtime, place them in their kennel or a different room with a new toy or pet appropriate treats.
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