Why is 'only one' mince pie too many for our furry family members?
Many of us this Christmas will spend a lot of time with friends and family enjoying the festivities. Naturally, we want to share this time with our pets (after all they are part of the family!). Although it appears as though we are spoiling them by giving them some of the treats that we enjoy safely, it can actually be a big danger for our pets to ingest some of the classic things we enjoy at Christmas time.
In some toxins even a tiny amount can be enough to cause harm to our pets. The kidneys are often affected by toxin ingestion, as they as responsible for the breakdown and excretion of waste products from the body. Many pets will appear clinically well immediately after eating the toxin, and will become unwell at a later time. However, this unfortunately can mean that the damage has already been done, causing a lasting negative effect on the kidneys. Time is of the essence when treating a case of toxicity!
Below are some of the most common Christmas toxins...
Mince Pies/Raisins/Christmas Pudding - grapes and raisins are very common at Christmas time - they are present in puddings and desserts, as well as on many cheeseboards. Even one raisin or grape can cause permanent damage to the kidneys and make pets very poorly.
Nuts - some nuts, such as the Macadamia nut are toxic to pets. They can cause muscle tremors, vomiting and hyperthermia soon after ingestion. All nuts are high in fat, so it is best to avoid feeding any type of nuts to your pet.
Onions/Garlic - all types of onion and garlic are toxic to pets, and can cause kidney damage even if only a small amount is ingested. Be mindful of feeding your pet anything that could potentially contain any onions or garlic (such as gravy or stuffing).
Chocolate/Xylitol - a favourite treat at Christmas, chocolate contains theobromine which is toxic. Theobromine is found in higher concentrations in dark chocolate, although it is still found in milk varieties. It can affect the central nervous system and heart as well as the kidneys, and severe cases can result in seizures.
Bones - we don't advise giving any bones to pets as there is a big risk of splintering and perforation. This is particularly important with cooked bones as they are much more brittle after cooking. They can also get stuck after being ingested and become a choking hazard.
Tinsel/Baubles/Fairy Lights - Christmas decorations can break, shatter and/or splinter very easily. This can result in cuts on the paws if stepped on, and blockages or perforations if ingested. Make sure you keep decorations and Christmas trees out of reach, and use pet friendly materials where possible. Salt dough should be avoided, as it can cause sodium levels to rise dangerously high if ingested.
Poinsettia/Mistletoe/Potpourri - all of these Christmas plants are mildly toxic and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive salivation.
If your pet ingests anything listed above, please get in touch with the practice as soon as possible. The sooner treatment is started, the better the outcome will be, and long term side effects will be less likely. The treatment plan will vary depending on the type of toxin and amount ingested. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week even throughout the Christmas period to care for your pets!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the team at Barnsley Vets4Pets!
