How to survive the holidays with all of your pets in good health
This site is intended to give you and your family ways to keep your furry loved ones in the festive spirit with information about toxic foods, safe foods, and alternatives to feed them this holiday.
Toxic Foods to Avoid this Season
Turkey bones
Turkey bones may seem like the perfect treat for your dog, but in truth they can be quite harmful. The bones can splinter and fracture their way down into the bowels, obstructing and causing damage to their internals on the way out. Want to learn more about keeping your pet safe? Check out ASPCA for some more information.
Mashed potatoes
While the smell of mashed potatoes may bring in everyone around the table, often times mashed potatoes have garlic, scallions, and onions. Dog's bodies cannot process these naturally, often resulting in a pooch having stomach aches, drooling, and nausea. More information can be found at Small Animal Clinic.
Grapes, raisins, and grape products
Grapes tend to be a wonderful snack food as you wait for dinner to be served. For dogs, however, that's a receipe for disaster. Not only do they cause irreversable liver damage, dehydrate your best friend, but also stop their urine production. Learn how to keep your happy pooch safe at Found Animals.
Safe and Festive Foods
Unseasoned Turkey Meat
Turkey meat is often used in commercial dog foods and is often a source of protein and riboflavin. It can be a wonderful subsitute for dogs that are allergic or sensitive to pork, beef, or chicken.
Want to find out more about healthy snacks? Check out PetMD for some more helpful information.
Raw Apples
Apples are a wonderful way to introduce some vitamin A, C, and fiber to your dog's diet. Be sure to cut around the core and don't give the dog the stem to avoid choking hazards, as the stem will introduce cyanide to your dog's stomach.
My Happy Pet has more information on what to feed your pooches this holiday.
Unseasoned Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great snack for dogs with obesity or who are diabetic, as it introduced vitamin B6 and C into their diet. Make sure to give your furry friend a cooked sweet potato with the skin peeled off, and make sure the sweet potato has a soft consistency for a safe travel down.
Rover has wonderful tips and explinations of what can be fed underneath the table this year.
Festive and safe alternatives
Dog Candy Canes
This inexpensive and fun dog treat receipe may need many hands to get the job done, but it's worth it to have a lot of treats to feed your best friend over the holidays!
Gingerbread Dog Cookies
With Christmas bringing biting and frigid winds, it's all too easy to grab a hot peppermint mocha to warm yourself up. Bring the tradition of Christmas to your dog's life with this simple and easily doubled receipe.
Scrumptious Bacon Dog Treats
While bacon is often a snack for dogs, this reciepe gives your favorite pooch a source of protein, satisfy their sweet tooth via the maple syrup, and gives a great project for young and old alike!
