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This time of year it’s easy to get caught up in the holiday cheer. It’s infectious and the desire to spread that goodwill is encouraged. If you want to include your pets in the seasonal spirit, however, first consider these few words of caution.
You might want to give your pet a special treat for the holidays, but depending on what that is it’s not a good idea. We let our guard down sometimes around our pets, and allow them to eat food we know isn’t directly harmful to them. And while doing so might not involve an emergency vet visit under life-threatening conditions, it still may be bad for your pet’s health.
I know from personal experience. A few years ago, even though it wasn’t at Christmas time, there was an unfortunate incident with Chihiro and a bunch of blueberries. It was my fault, it was messy, and it was gross, and trust me, those are all the details you want.
The thing is, foods that aren’t immediately poisonous to dogs and cats still might cause them problems if our pets aren’t used to eating them. If you don’t make it a regular habit to feed your pet scraps off the table, you might come to regret giving your pet a one-time treat under the heady mood of the holidays.
Moderation is key. If you just give your dog (or cat) a scrap or two off the table, things should be fine. Just make sure that you’re the only one doing so, and your sweet pup isn’t begging for, and receiving, other handouts behind your back (my dog is excellent at doing this).
If a dog (and also a cat, though felines wanting people food, while not unheard of, is less common) gets a bunch of ham, turkey, stuffing, or Christmas cookies, it could give them digestive problems. I’m not talking anything life-threatening, just some potential vomiting and diarrhea issues that won’t be pleasant for anyone involved.
In some worst case-scenarios, especially with pets with sensitive stomachs ( it happens to people—myself included—so it can happen to pets as well) your dog or cat might develop stomach gas or pain bad enough to warrant a vet visit. Sure, when it’s people we know just to take some Pepto Bismal and wait for it to pass, but I know if my pets were clearly in pain and I wasn’t sure of the cause, I’d want to rush them to the vet.
The safest choice for pampering your pets during the holidays is to buy them special treats meant just for them. That way you shouldn’t have to worry about them overeating, though even dog or cat treats should be doled out in moderation.
If you suspect your pet might have a sensitive stomach, or if you’d just like to play it safe, consider getting your animal a toy instead of a treat.
Related Articles:
Do Your Pets Factor into Your Holiday Plans?
Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween
Household Plants Poisonous to Pets
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate
*(This image by Eda Strauch is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
