Season’s Greetings! This can be a special time for pets, just as it is for people. Our animal partners give us unconditional love, support, comfort, companionship, and unending cuddling. They also are really, really good at getting us to share yummy treats. This can be dangerous, though!  A local Black Hills, SD vet shares holiday pet safety tips in this article.

What Foods Can Pets Eat?

It’s fine to pamper your pet, but you’ll need to stick to safe options.

Well-cooked meat is fine. Safe meats include steak, hog, beef, deli meat, etc. There are certain restrictions. First and foremost? Remove the bones. Cooked bones break into sharp pieces. Swallowing these can cause severe internal injury and choking.

Organ meats, such as liver, should be served rarely. Otherwise, they can cause vitamin A toxicity. Serving bacon and sausage moderately is also wise.

Fish and fowl follow the same regulations. Share that tasty turkey with your pet!

Which Fruits And Veggies Are Pet-Friendly?

Fruits and veggies are just as good for people as they are for pets. The list of safe and harmful dog and cat meals is similar.

Here is a partial list of pet-safe foods:

·       Apple

·       Raspberry

·       Watermelon

·       Blueberries

·       Bananas

·       Pears

·       Cantaloupe

·       Mango

·       Oranges And Pineapple

·       Peaches

·       Cranberries

·       Apricots

·       Dark Berries And Figs

·       Carrots

·       Veggie Beans

·       Broccoli

·       Celery

·       Potatoes Sweet

·       Beets

·       Peas

·       Spinach

·       Bessel Sprouts

·       Cucumber

·       Kale

·       Bell Peppers

·       Potato

·       Zucchini

·       Squash

·       Cauliflower

·       Corn

·       Lettuce

·       Pumpkin

·       Asparagus

·       Cabbage

·       Blueberries

Always remove seeds, pips, and rinds. You may also need to cut things into smaller portions. You’ll want to get some specific advice from your Black Hills, SD vet.

What Foods Are Bad For Pets?

Many popular foods are poisonous to pets. Since dogs will eat almost anything, they are more at risk than cats, who are pickier. However, all pets are at risk.

Avoid giving your pet these items:

Raisins, Grapes, Currants: These sour fruits are good for us, but can kill pets. Even one can cause renal failure in pets! Though more research is needed, tartaric acid has been identified as the cause.

Cherries: Cherry pits contain arsenic. Some cherries are marinated in sugary sauces that are unhealthy for pets. Just be safe and forgo the cherries.

Sugar Substitute Xylitol, sometimes known as birch sugar, is harmful for dogs. Unfortunately, this is added to many processed meals, especially baked goods. It’s sometimes added to peanut butter, which your pet can eat.

Garlic & Onion: The entire allium family is poisonous to pets. That list includes onions and garlic, as well as scallions, shallots, leeks, and chives. The problem is that organosulphoxides in these foods destroy your pet’s red blood cells, potentially causing anemia.

Macadamia Nuts: Consumption can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, depression, and hypothermia.

Corn-On-Cob: Corn cobs are unsafe to pets, even though corn kernels are fine. They can induce deadly intestinal obstructions if consumed.

Tomatoes: Fido can eat tomatoes, but they’re not necessarily healthy. Tomatoes contain pup-toxic solanine. The leaves are particularly hazardous. Note that green tomatoes and tomato leaves have more than mature flesh.

Chocolate: chocolate includes pet-toxic methylxanthines. Vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and seizures can result from eating it. Just one ounce per pound of your pet’s body weight can be lethal.

Ask your Black Hills, SD vet for more information.

Keeping Pets Safe With Guests

Planning to have a full house? Reconnecting with family over excellent cuisine with loved ones is great. Pets offer affection, comfort, and coziness. They’re also part of the family!  

A few words of caution:

Make sure that your pet has been fixed, microchipped, and kept current on vaccinations and parasite control.

Please ask guests not to feed or treat your pet without your permission. Young youngsters may not know what’s safe and could accidentally try to feed your pet something unsafe.

Pets get underfoot a lot, which is adorable but dangerous. Curious, friendly pets might easily get trodden on or get their paws or tails stuck in doors or chairs. Keep a close eye on Fido and Fluffy!

Keep in mind that some pets are better with guests than others. If your pet is very nervous, tire them out with a fun play session. You may also want to ask your vet about calming products for stressed pets.

Our Pet Clinic Black Hills, SD Appointments

Happy Holidays! We hope your families enjoy the day. We appreciate everyone. Contact us, your Black Hills, SD pet clinic, for all your pet care requirements.