As the festive season approaches, PDSA, the national vet charity for pets in need, is warning owners that no matter how persuasive pets’ pleading eyes might be, sharing leftovers and treats could have worrying consequences.
PDSA Vet Nurse Gemma Renwick said: “Showing love to your pets doesn’t have to mean sharing your plate with them. Many popular festive treats have shocking calorie equivalents for our pets, making overfeeding furry family members a big risk – and one that can lead to serious health problems including weight gain.
Additionally, pets can often develop vomiting or diarrhoea if their diet changes suddenly, so it’s best to stick to their normal food and regular mealtimes as much as possible.
Hidden calories
“Even for humans, the number of calories in a whole Christmas dinner can quickly add up – so it’s important to consider how the smallest of table scraps can translate into excessive calories for our pets.
“A medium-sized dog, such as a Beagle, eating a human-sized turkey dinner is the same as us humans eating nearly four! Similarly, just four pigs in blankets for your dog, are the equivalent of us eating a whole Christmas dinner. Even small portions of some foods can be high in calories – a portion of ham for a dog is like a person eating over one and a half bacon rolls, and just one Yorkshire pudding is the same as a human eating more than half of a margherita pizza.
“This applies to cats too – a puss eating a whole human turkey dinner is more than three times over their daily allowance of calories, which is akin to us eating more than eight whole turkey dinners. A portion of ham for a cat is the equivalent of us eating 10 chicken skewers, and one Yorkshire pudding is like us eating over one and a half margherita pizzas.
Health risks
“While a Christmas treat may seem harmless as a one-off, obesity is a common issue in pets and increases the risk of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and breathing issues, which can be dangerous for all pets, but particularly so for certain breeds who are more prone to suffering from these conditions. Feeding your pet calorific food can also lead to reduced mobility and, ultimately, a lower quality of life.
Poisonous food
“Throughout December, I’d also urge pet owners to know which foods are hazardous for pets. Stuffing and gravy often contain onion, leeks, and garlic, plus mince pies and Christmas cake contain raisins, sultanas, and currants, which can all be deadly to both cats and dogs. Chocolate is also poisonous for dogs and cats and can even be fatal in some instances – so ensure all choc treats, including advent calendars and Christmas gifts are kept well out of reach.
“It’s always best to call your vet as soon as possible if you suspect your pet has eaten these foods – don’t wait for symptoms to develop because it’s impossible to know how or if your pet will be affected. In severe cases, toxicity can cause kidney failure or anaemia.
Safe alternatives
“If you are desperate to share a one-off Christmas treat with your furry friend, don’t forget that even the smallest bit of food will be a huge treat in their eyes, so don’t go big on the portions. Consider reducing the amount of their usual food that day so they are not taking on extra calories.
“Generally, the ‘pet-safe’ parts of a roast are those that are as plain as possible and not covered in glaze or oil that could upset their stomach. Boneless white turkey meat, carrot and swede mash (that doesn’t contain butter or onion), and plain vegetables are all good options.
“You should also try to avoid oversharing with your pet in the weeks and days surrounding Christmas because you may find that they start to expect something every time you have a meal, which can encourage begging and is unhealthy in the long term.”
For more information on ensuring a joyful and safe holiday season with your furry companions, download PDSA’s Christmas Survival Guide: www.pdsa.org.uk/xmas-survival-guide.
