The end of the year is always full of activity and celebrations. Whether the family pets are included in the hustle and bustle or are just hanging around underfoot waiting for a treat, they are much more likely to come in contact with harmful foods and other dangers during this time of year. In this month's article I will touch on a few of the most common culprits.
Chocolate, the old standby: by now this is commonly understood to be a no-no for dogs. But, did you know that the type of chocolate and the amount ingested greatly affects the toxicity? White chocolate contains no theobromine or caffeine, the toxic substances responsible for chocolate's ill effects. By contrast, baking chocolate contains a lot of both. Milk chocolate, semi-sweet, and dark chocolate fall in the middle of the range. The relative size of the dog compared to how much chocolate they ate makes a big difference. Bottom line: if your dog has eaten chocolate, call your veterinarian and be prepared to tell them how much, what kind, and how long ago.
Macadamia nuts: they can cause various neurologic symptoms. This is not an allergy, but rather a processing issue. With treatment, prognosis is usually very good. If you know your dog ate macadamia nuts, a visit to the clinic is in order.
Raisins and grapes: these sweet treats can cause kidney failure. Actual effects from raisin ingestion seem to be rare compared to how often dogs eat raisins but the exact amount needed to be dangerous isn't known. Without a margin of safety the best advice is to keep them off counters and the floor.
Onions: another food where no amount is really safe. Fresh, dried, and powdered onions are all problematic, and both cats and dogs are affected. Baby food that contains onion powder has sickened cats. Garlic is another no-no.
Other dangers are less obvious and sometimes aren't even food, but crop up during the holidays as people entertain more and cook more. One example is Xylitol, the active ingredient in sugar-free gum. It's very toxic to dogs and that is compounded by the attractive smell of gum. Dogs will root through handbags to find it. Another attractive smelling danger is rising bread dough. This can present two dangers. First, the body heat of a dog will cause it to rise in the stomach and expand, causing bloat and pain. The yeast also produces ethanol and can cause severe intoxication. Finally, watch the trash: tobacco products, coffee grounds, moldy foods, and bones send pets to the emergency room every year.
It's easy to lose sight of what the animals are up to when you're busy entertaining, cooking, traveling, and shopping. The best rule of thumb is to keep pets out of the kitchen when cooking, keep them confined if needed during party time, and make sure guests know not to feed unsanctioned treats. We love to see our furry patients during the holidays but we hate to see them sick! Have a safe and happy holiday season.