The Hays County Pet Resource Center is reminding pet owners to be cautious this holiday season and keep their pets safe from potentially hazardous foods. The holidays are just around the corner, bringing festive meals, savory sides, irresistible treats, and delightful drinks to share with loved ones.
Although pets may want to join in the holiday feasts, it’s important to remember that many common ingredients in holiday dishes can be harmful to them. Here’s a list of foods to steer clear of to keep your furry friends safe this holiday season.
Fruits contain the toxin cyanide, which can be extremely dangerous when the pit is consumed. Ingesting pits from apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, plums and citrus fruits can cause vomiting, trouble breathing and possibly death.
Whether consumed fresh or cooked, garlic, onion and chives can lead to anemia and can cause damage to blood cells.
Small sweet and salty snacks are high in fat and contain multiple toxins like theobromine and xylitol which prompt seizures, vomiting, liver damage and other complications. Macadamia nuts, walnuts, cashews, pistachios and nut butters that contain xylitol should not be given to pets. Nor should they be given candy and chocolate.
Condiments and spices such as nutmeg, ketchup, mustard and salt could cause hallucinations, stomach pains, dehydration and seizures.
Additionally, yeast, alcohol and bones can cause your pets discomfort, internal damage and alcohol poisoning and should be avoided. Always safely discard any bones or meal scraps to avoid ingestion.
While there are plenty of foods that are unsafe for our pets, there are also many tasty options they can enjoy. Bananas, plain turkey, apples, pears, pumpkin, plain cooked squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and baked potatoes are good options. Always offer these treats in moderation, and when unsure, it’s always best to skip sharing food with your pet during the holiday season.
