Christmas dog warning issued to millions of UK owners

Dog owners across the UK have been issued a warning to ensure that certain foods are out of reach from their dogs this Christmas.

While these foods aren’t solely eaten at this time of year, they do become more common – and some snacks can be left out if you’re having guests over – meaning more opportunity for your sneaky (and cute) dog to pinch a treat or two from the table.

In their warning, the dog experts at Blue Cross also said that regardless of what foods you feed them, providing they are safe, if they are new, you need to introduce them slowly.

Blue Cross said: “New foods should always be introduced slowly, as too much can cause an upset tummy. Foods high in fat or salt should also be avoided” for all dogs and puppies.

Safe foods you can feed your dog this Christmas

Providing your dog is healthy and is not allergic to the following foods, it’s safe to feed your dog a little bit of these foods at Christmas:

• turkey meat (no skin or bones)
• salmon (fillets or cooked in spring water are preferable to smoked salmon)
• lamb meat (no bones)
• green beans
• Brussels sprouts
• parsnips
• carrot
• peas
• swede
• mash potato (best without added butter)
• new potatoes
• sweet potatoes

Which foods are toxic to dogs?

• chocolate – chocolate is toxic to dogs and even small amounts can cause serious illness. Find out what to do if you think your dog has eaten chocolate.
• Christmas pudding and mince pies – grapes and dried vine fruits, including currants, sultanas and raisins, can cause severe kidney failure if eaten
• onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and chives – these all belong to the allium species of plant and are poisonous to dogs whether cooked or uncooked. Avoid feeding foods that include these ingredients, such as gravy.
• alcohol – alcohol has a similar effect in dogs as it does in their owners. Make sure your dog can’t help themselves to any unattended alcohol left lying around.
• macadamia nuts – macadamia nuts can cause lethargy (tiredness), weakness in the back legs, increased body temperature, tremors and stiffness
• leftovers – don’t be tempted to give your dog leftover Christmas food – they can include hidden ingredients toxic to dogs and mould in leftovers can make them ill
• sweets – many of the sweets we eat over Christmas, such as candy canes, contain a sugar-free sweetener called xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs

At the time of writing, this information, provided by the Blue Cross is correct. If you are worried about your dog, please seek help from your vet or contact your out-of-hours emergency vet if you think they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t have, whether it’s a Christmas decoration or an unsafe food. 

Blue Cross stated: “If you think your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t, contact your vet for advice.”