Festive Season Guide: Toxic food for dogs

The festive period is a time to come together with family and loved ones, and that also includes our furry friends. But because there’s so much gathering and communal eating during the holidays, it’s easy to forget that your dog is watching gleefully and just waiting for their chance to hoover up any scraps.

The problem is that many foods we eat over the festive season aren’t good for dogs – and in some cases, they can be deadly. To help you navigate the busy weeks to come without worrying about whether your pet will be exposed to toxic foods, here’s what to look out for.

Stay away from these seasonal nasties

You probably already know that chocolate can be deadly for dogs, so wherever possible keep those sweet treats well out of reach of your pet pooch. Around the festive season, fatty foods also tend to become more prevalent around the kitchen, but these are no good for your dog. Meat drippings, butter, oil and scraps from fatty meats can give them an upset stomach or even lead to pancreatitis.

Then there are all the traditional sides that tend to end up on unfinished plates or in bin bags that aren’t properly sealed. Make sure you get rid of things like onion, garlic, grapes and sultanas, gravy and stuffing before your dog has a chance to gulp them up.

Give your pup a festive treat with these foods

But not everything you eat over the holidays will be bad for your pet. While bearing in mind they should always eat treats in moderation, here are some popular festive foods they can safely eat:

• Turkey and chicken meat – just make sure they don’t get into any bones, as they are a choking hazard and can damage your dog’s gums.
• Cranberry sauce is a sweet treat that your dog will adore. It should only be given in small quantities, however, as too much sugar can cause gastrointestinal issues.
• Roast vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans and peas that are left over after a big lunch can grow straight into your dog’s bowl. Many times your dog will love eating veggies raw too – especially long-lasting vegetable treats like broccoli stalks.

Alternative ways to spoil your dog

It may simply be easier to avoid the food issue with your pet altogether. Instead, you can make them feel special by treating them in different ways. Maybe you want to fill their stocking with fun new toys and brain games to keep them busy while you are spending time with loved ones.

Or why not pick up some healthy and tasty chews? Our range of high-quality dog treats come in Duck and Kangaroo flavours for a delicious and hearty snack. You might also like to switch your dog over to a more naturally healthy dry food, such as our grain-free Chicken & Duck Dry Kibble.

Just make sure you monitor your pet for any food allergies they might have, and ensure dry food is always properly stored.

It won’t be long before the madness of the festive season is upon us, so make sure you avoid these toxic foods for dogs and keep your pup healthy with a natural diet of high-quality food. Also, if you order anything from our range of Hypro Premium dog foods before December 15, it will arrive before Christmas.