Many people are planning big family meals for the upcoming holidays. However, these same people want to share in the festivities with their canine family members as well. In all the preparation, it can be easy to forget to ensure that nothing from the festive table that can hurt your dog ends up in their bowls. Knowing what dogs can eat on the holidays is an essential part of meal planning for anyone planning on including their furry friends.
While dogs can eat many of the same things that we can, some human foods can be dangerous for dogs to eat. This includes some of the foods that may be on your holiday table this year.
What Common Holiday Foods Are Toxic to Dogs?
According to the ASPCA, there are many common foods that you should avoid feeding to your pets. While some, like chocolate, are well-known (and not common on festive tables), others may come as a surprise. Some of these can be bad for a wide variety of animals, but some are specifically bad for dogs.
While slipping your dog a slice of roasted turkey or cornbread is generally okay, some foods are actually toxic. Toxic foods that may appear as part of your holiday menu include grapes, nuts (especially macadamia nuts), onions, and garlic.
Other foods, while not chemically toxic, are also dangerous if fed to dogs. Dogs can eat corn, but corncobs, if swallowed, can cause dangerous blockages in dogs’ intestines. Cooked bones are another very serious consideration for holiday meals where meat or poultry is on the menu. While cooked meats are often a canine favorite, when bones are cooked, they can splinter, leading to potentially fatal cuts and tears in a dog’s gut.
Portion Sizes Matter
Even with foods that don’t cause immediate problems, when deciding what dogs can eat, portion control is essential. Certain foods, like salt and dairy products, may not be toxic, but dogs’ digestive systems can’t break them down the way ours can, and excessive amounts of these foods can lead to bloating, diarrhea, and other issues.
Giving Thanks Means Getting Tested
When it comes to caring for your dog, feeding them the right foods is only part of the story. Genetic testing can allow you to fully understand your dog and make the right choices to keep them healthy and happy for as long as possible.
In addition to letting you understand your dog’s pedigree and background, testing allows you to know which genetic diseases your dog is likely to deal with later in life. This can allow you to take preventative measures, like adjusting their diet, to ensure that your dog doesn’t have to suffer unnecessarily.
Orivet Genetic Pet Care
Living with a dog takes more than just meeting their basic needs, it takes commitment and love. To help you provide the best care for your dog, Orivet is committed to providing you with industry-leading DNA testing. With actionable insights and a 360-degree understanding of each pet, you can choose better matches, make smarter investments, and raise happier, healthier animals down through the generations.
For more information on Orivet’s easy and affordable genetic testing, just contact our team today!