‘I’m a veterinary nurse – you can never feed your pets this Christmas

As families gather to celebrate and enjoy festive moments around the table, some households with pets succumb to the temptation of allowing their furry friends to join in.

Research conducted by Blue Cross shows that many pets are regularly treated on Christmas Day, with over 38% enjoying a full turkey dinner and almost one in ten being given a special festive meal.

However, dog owners are being urged to take extra care about what their pets eat during the holidays, as a veterinary nurse warned that many Christmas favourites can be dangerous – and in some cases even life-threatening.

Carolanne Cicero, a registered Veterinary Nurse and in-house veterinary advisor at pet food company Bella+Duke, says letting your dogs participate in festive indulgence can lead to medical emergencies.

“One of the biggest risks at Christmas is anything containing dried fruit, such as raisins, currants and sultanas,” she said.

“These are potentially highly toxic to dogs. There’s no known safe amount, and for some dogs, even a single raisin can trigger serious kidney damage, which can be life-threatening.”

She also added that other common festive desserts, such as Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and mince pies, are among the most dangerous treats.

Chocolate is a danger any time of the year, but cases rise sharply in the run-up to Christmas. Carolanne warns. “From late November through January, cases of theobromine poisoning rise sharply. Dogs commonly eat Advent calendars, selection boxes and even chocolate Santas.”

She also warned symptoms can be severe: “Chocolate poisoning can include rapid breathing, muscle tremors and seizures.”

Savoury treats can also pose significant risks, as she stresses that many traditional Christmas dinner staples should never be shared with dogs.

Pigs in blankets contain high levels of salt, fat and grease and can cause stomach issues, while gravy often is made with onions – which belong to the allium family and can cause anaemia, vomiting and diarrhoea. Stuffing is also unsafe, often including onions, butter, and bread.

Cooked turkey bones can splinter and damage pets’ digestive systems, and cheeses – especially blue varieties, which contain moulds toxic to dogs – are high in fat and may trigger pancreatitis.

“Prevention is always better than a cure,” said Cicero. “Keep all food and drink safely out of your dog’s reach, and if you’re hosting or have dishes laid out, make sure your dog has a comfortable, secure area to relax away from temptation.”

However, if your dog ends up eating something it shouldn’t, Cicero advises not to panic but to act quickly.

“If you see your dog eat something they shouldn’t, contact your vet immediately. Outside normal hours, owners can call the Animal Poison Line for advice.”

But it’s not fair for our furry friends to miss out on the main meals of the day, so Cicero lists some foods that are safe for dogs, including lean white turkey meat with the skin removed and plain vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

“When making a Christmas dinner for your dog, choose ingredients they’ve eaten before without any issues,” she said. “A simple, dog-safe festive plate could include turkey, chicken or beef paired with healthy vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts. Avoid sauces and gravies.”