- Dr Emma Scales Theobald resident pet expert at Canine Cottages highlights which Christmas foods are poisonous to dogs
- Nearly half of Brits cannot recognise signs of food poisoning in dogs¹
In time for Christmas, Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, the resident pet expert for Canine Cottages, has revealed which foods are poisonous to dogs. She has also highlighted which symptoms to look out for should your dog ingest something toxic.
In the UK, 47% of us wouldn’t recognise the symptoms if their dog had eaten something poisonous; and nearly 29% of have admitted to feeding their dogs something toxic in the past. So, with the festive season upon us, it’s important that pooch parents are clued up on the foods which could make their dogs ill1.
Foods to avoid feeding your dog this Christmas
- Macadamia Nuts
Nuts are a popular Christmas treat for humans but be aware that macadamias are toxic to dogs. The mechanism of this toxicity is unknown, but within one to six hours, signs may be seen even if your dog has eaten a very small number of nuts (0.7 g/kg).
The most common signs to notice include weakness, depression, vomiting, ataxia (poor coordination and balance), tremors, high body temperature, joint/muscle pain, and an inability to rise. Typically, patients improve within 48 hours but may require supportive care and a chance to cool down.
- Gravy
Whilst a small amount of some gravy may be safe, gravies that contain onion powder should never be fed to dogs. Small volumes are unlikely to cause significant harm – however, onions contain a toxin called n-propyl disulphide and thiosulfates. These toxins cause oxidative damage to haemoglobin, which is a key component of the red blood cell. This means that it damages the cells and may cause a breakdown of the red blood cells, leading to anaemia (low red blood cells). Abnormal types of haemoglobin may also form and impact the ability of blood to transport oxygen.
Other systems, including gastrointestinal, urinary, cardiovascular, respiratory, can all be affected as a result of the toxic process. All forms of onion (and garlic) are toxic. In fact, garlic can be up to five times more toxic than onions.
- Alcohol
Ethanol-containing products can cause a variety of issues that mainly affect the brain and nervous system. Alcoholic beverages and raw fermenting doughs are classic culprits, but de-icers often contain methanol, which is also toxic.
Signs of consumption in dogs include depression, ataxia (poor co-ordination and balance), lethargy, sedation, nausea, vomiting, and metabolic changes, such as a low body temperature. Your pet’s breath may smell like alcohol, or you may find a chewed bottle.
- Christmas pudding and mince pies
Your dog should avoid ingesting fruits of the Vitis family which includes grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants. These may cause a significant toxicity in some pets. However, the mechanism of the toxicity is not currently known and could be due to tartaric acid/potassium bitartrate, intolerance to tannins/flavinoids/monosaccharides, or contamination with an unknown toxin.
Signs of ingestion may initially include lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Kidney failure or liver failure may develop and any changes in water intake or urination should be discussed with your local vet.
- Chocolate and sweets
Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine. The degree of toxicity will depend on the type of chocolate eaten, but generally, the higher the cocoa percentage the more dangerous the consumption level will be.
If your dog has eaten chocolate you will often see a transformation in their behaviour. These may include gastrointestinal upset, cardiovascular abnormalities, such as an abnormal heart rate and rhythm, urinary incontinence, increased drinking and urination, hyperexcitability, ataxia (poor co-ordination and balance) and seizures. Symptoms usually appear around two-to-four hours after ingestion and chocolate may be smelt in the vomit/diarrhoea.
It is highly recommended that you keep the packaging of any chocolate products for your vet, as it can be used to estimate the amount eaten. There are also guidelines that can be found online to help vets identify the amount of theobromine in different types of chocolate. For example, some dark chocolate may be 135 mg/oz compared to 0.25 mg/oz for white chocolate.
- Blue Cheese
It’s no secret that dogs love a bit of cheese now and then – just look at TikTok’s cheese tax trend. However, one of the most popular Christmas cheeses could be toxic to your dog. Blue cheese is made with a fungus that contains roquefortine C, which is poisonous for dogs.
Symptoms of roquefortine poisoning includes vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperatures and tremors. If you notice any of these symptoms you should contact your vet straight away.
Shannon Keary, PR Manager at Canine Cottages, said: “With the festive season in full swing, many of us may be tempted to feed our furry friends a little titbit from the table without realising how harmful this could actually be. That’s why we have conducted this research to raise awareness of the Christmas foods we should keep away from our pooches.
“Although in most cases, vets will be able to treat your dog, it’s very important to understand what these foods can do to our beloved pets. This is why we created an interactive tool, highlighting the harm toxic foods can cause. We hope this piece will help educate pet owners to understand the impact these foods can cause, especially as we approach the festive season.”
To read more on the research and see the tool for yourself, please visit: https://www.caninecottages.co.uk/toxic-food-for-dogs