GOBBLE GOBBLE (PUT DOWN THE DRUMSTICK FIDO)

Like it or not, the Holidays are upon us. I, for one, am thrilled. As far as I’m concerned the Holiday Season begins the day before Halloween and I will shamelessly drag it out well into the first week of the year.

I love the Holidays (yes I’m capitalizing “Holidays” because it deserves a place of importance and it is a PROPER noun in my tinsel filled world of wonder) for three specific reasons:

1. Food

2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

3. Dogs and cats in FESTIVE OUTFITS!

As much as this list gleefully raises my blood pressure, let me remind you that Fido in full reindeer regalia may not have a place at the table with Martha Stewart and Hugh Laurie. Here are some common Holiday foods that, as tempting as it may be to share with Fido or Fluffy, are not safe to feed to them.

1. Onions and Garlic:

As a general rule, never feed onions to your cat or dog. Garlic is okay for cats and dogs in very small quantities, but when in doubt it’s best to avoid it. However, onions are toxic to them. What we forget during the Holidays is when we cook something- gravy, soup, turkey, stuffing- onions or garlic may be one of the ingredients. Think before you share your food with your pet, or better yet, don’t feed them from the table at all.

2. Bones

Bones you say? But, Loyal Calvin & Susie Blogger, don’t you sell raw meaty bones at the store? Why yes we do Blog Reader, but the operative word there is “raw”. Never give your pet a cooked bone to gnaw on! When cooked, bones become brittle and can shard into razor sharp pieces that can do some pretty terrible damage to Fido or Fluffy’s delicate digestive system. Not to mention there’s always the hazard of choking when small bones are concerned.

Similarly, if you are going to give your pet a teeny, tiny little morsel of a treat from your Turkey or Goose or Chicken or other boned animal, make sure there are no bones in the meat.

3. Sage

Sage is toxic to dogs and cats. It can cause severe digestive distress (read: diarrhea) and can wreak havoc on your pet’s central nervous system. So like with onions and garlic, if you cooked something with it, don’t share it with your pet. Also, beware of scavengers. If you drop some food, pick it up immediately so that Fido or Fluffy do not receive an unintentional treat.

4. Nutmeg

Sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkin- all usually okay to feed to your dog and occasionally your cat, if they do not have sensitivity to them or a yeast problem. However, what makes these foods human-style yummy during the holidays? Nutmeg. Fido and Fluffy may want to lick your dessert plate or sample your side dishes at dinner, but Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, central nervous system problems and in rare cases shock. So don’t chance it. Best to keep sweet potatoes and pumpkin plain for your pets.

5. Uncooked Dough

A dog’s normal body temperature is 100-103 which is much warmer than us, and it makes for a perfectly warm oven for the dough to rise. The uncooked dough expands in your pet’s stomach causing discomfort and bloating and potentially some serious pain, even vomiting. Not to mention, all that richness from milk and butter and all that sugar, aren’t exactly great things for your pet. Stick with the dog biscuits, stay away from the shortbread.

Here are a few more foods that are unsafe for Fido and Fluffy this Holiday Season:

Walnuts

Macadamia nuts

Beer, Wine, booze in general

Avocados- dogs can eat some in small quantities, absolutely not for cats and birds

Chocolate

Coffee and Tea

Grapes and Raisins

So there you have it. This Holiday Season be full of mirth and merriment, and be sure to treat Fido and Fluffy some extra treats to make sure they don’t covet your turkey dinner.

A happy house has happy pets. And happy pets mean happy YOU.

Eat, drink and be merry!

~Your Loyal Calvin & Susie Blogger

NOTE: All information here has been researched by the Calvin & Susie Blogger to the best of her ability. This blog does not replace the care or expertise of a veterinarian. Always consult your vet with any questions, concerns or any dietary or health changes made to your pet’s lifestyle. When in doubt always consult an expert veterinary practitioner.