The holiday season is the season of giving and the season of celebrating. More than exchanging gifts and spending time together, another thing that people look forward to is sharing and enjoying sumptuous meals. While humans can eat what they want during this season, the story is different for your pet dogs.
As a fur parent, it is best to know what is good and bad for them to protect and keep them safe this time of the year. Here are some facts you should know about holiday human foods and dogs.
Holiday Human Foods That Your Dog Cannot Eat
Some seasonings, spices, and other ingredients are not safe for your dogs to eat. Even though they get tempted by the smell of your food, they do not have the same dietary needs you have, so they should not get access to it.
Some examples of dietary no-nos are garlic, pepper, salt, and onions. These common seasonings are not suitable for your dogs because they can cause stomach ulcerations and other digestive problems.
Onions and garlic can cause hemolytic anemia, wherein the red blood cells in the blood become affected negatively. This condition can cause weakness, shortness of breath, and jaundice in your beloved furry friend.
You may not notice these symptoms because dogs do not show as many symptoms as humans. If you witnessed that your dog has eaten onions, garlic, or peppers and started acting unusual, bringing them to the vet immediately, as checkup and observation are highly recommended.
Raisins and baked goods are also a big no-no. Raisins and baked goods have high oxalates, an organic substance found in plants and some animals. These are not easily digestible for your dogs, so they can develop complications if they are ingested. Some of the symptoms to look for are vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
If you have ham, you might want to keep them away from your dogs. The reason is that dogs can get sick or develop kidney failure when they eat a lot of this food item. Protein from pork hams can also cause hemolytic anemia, the same condition brought about by the onions and garlic. In some cases, dogs can become gravely ill if they ingest ham with the skin and bone.
Holiday Human Foods That Your Dog Can Eat
The good news is that there are still some human foods that you can give to your dogs other than the ones mentioned above. Keep in mind that these are just some suggestions, so talk to your vet first before feeding them to your dog.
1. Green Beans
The green beans are rich in vitamins A, C, and K and other minerals such as iron and calcium. They are good for your dogs’ overall health, especially when pregnant.
2. Carrots
Carrots are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like green beans. They also have a high beta-carotene content as well as chlorophyll.
3. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are suitable for your dogs because they are loaded with fiber to keep your dog’s digestive system healthy. They also contain beta-carotene, which is a good source of vitamin A.
4. Turkey/Chicken
Turkey and chicken are good sources of protein, and they are low in fat, so you can give some to your dogs during the holiday season as a treat. Make sure that they are free of salt and other seasonings. Avoid giving skin and bones, too.
Conclusion
As much as you have the right to eat what you want, your pet dogs have the same privilege. However, like any other pet parent, it is still your responsibility to take care of them and know what they can and cannot eat. If you love your dog, you should take care of it and give it the best gift this holiday season—the gift of health. Give them the right food that can help keep them safe and healthy, and not just any food you think it will eat.
Some dogs may be too aggressive and would steal the food they think they want to eat. That is where obedience training or puppy training classes would come to your rescue. Read through our other blogs at Dog Obedience Training to know some tips and tricks into proper dog training.