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13 Foods for Pets to Avoid During the Holidays

With the holidays upon us, it’s a merry time of year and many of us enjoy festive foods. You may find your dog wanting to join in on the action, have you ever wondered what not to feed your dog during the holidays?
While it’s easy to feel generous during the holidays, there are some foods you shouldn’t give your dog no matter how much they wag their tail and try to look cute.

Some pets may be more sensitive to otherwise safe foods. With these pets, even a simple change of diet can cause intestinal distress.

1. Avoid giving plates of scraps or greasy food that may seem oh-so-good.
2. Foods with spices or glazes may contain chemicals that are toxic to pets. So avoid all foods with any additives, glazes, or gravies.
3. Many candies, cake mixes, chewing gums, meat glazes, and all sort of products like protein powders contain xylitol, which is poisonous to pets. So be extra careful to not let them eat foods that you don’t screen very carefully.
4. Stuffing may hide poisons. Onions are so good and very common in stuffing. But they are toxic to pets and may cause toxic anemia.
5. Raisins and grapes are a big NO. They can cause kidney failure and death. They are prolific during the holidays in stuffing, desserts, and breads.
6. Wine is made from grapes and also a big no, just as is alcohol. Pets are smaller then humans and the effect of alcohol are heightened in their bodies in addition to the poisoning effect of the grapes.
7. Speaking of fruits: Fruit pits, especially peach, plum and cherry, contain deadly cyanide, and they are the perfect size to be choking hazards.
8. Nutmeg is another holiday favorite that can cause pet heart arrhythmia and tremors.
9. Cooked bones are a no. Bones that are cooked have dried to the point that they can splinter, and so should never be given to pets.
10. Salty snacks can cause sodium ion poisoning and can be fatal.
11. Chocolate is something that by now we all have heard can kill dogs. Baking chocolate is even more dangerous. Chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.
12. Macadamia nuts are poisonous to pets also.
13. Milk is good for young pups and kittens, but when our pets get older, they lack the digestive enzymes to break milk down properly. So, skip the bowl of milk.

-[Super Smiley and Megan Blake, The Pet Lifestyle Coach]

For The Grand Paw holiday meals we use turkey, green beans, and pumpkin to ensure all pets have a safe and healthy experience.