Hey Woofa’s,

One more sleep!!!!!

Everyone should pretty much know by now what they’re doing for Christmas Day!

So if your hosting, then you need to know what Christmas food is safe for your dog.

The last thing anyone needs is an emergency rush to the veterinarian on Christmas Day!!!

It’s no secret most dogs love food!   They will unashamedly give you (and your guests) the ‘I’ve never been fed before’ look!

Let’s face it, it’s our kryptonite, ‘that look’ melts us on the spot!

Dogs know this and will work it to get that food out of your hand and in their mouth.

If you can avoid it, I wouldn’t give your dog any Christmas food!

Just give them their normal meal and maybe some extra dog treats.

However, I know the temptation is there so here’s some lists to take note of.

CHRISTMAS FOOD THAT’S SAFE  FOR YOUR DOG!

Meats

1. Chicken breast meat (cooked, no bones)
2. Turkey breast meat (cooked, no bones)
3. Fish (cooked, no bones)
4. Seafood (as long as it’s cooked, no shells and no bones)
5. Steak (ideally cooked, no bones)
6. Sausages (ideally, cooked these can be very fatty so be aware)

Vegetables

1. Carrots
2. Peas
3. Green Beans
4. Spinach
5. Broccoli
6. Brussel Sprouts
7. Pumpkin
8. Sweet Potato
9. Cabbage
10. Zucchini
11. Parsnips
12. Cauliflower

Salads

1. Cucumbers
2. Celery
3. Lettuce
4. Asparagus
5. Mint
6. Cheese

Pastas

1. Only plain cooked pasta with no sauces
2. same goes for rice.

Fruits

1. Apple
2. Strawberry
3. Banana
4. Blackberries
5. Blueberries
6. Cantaloupe (minus seeds)
7. Cranberries
8. Watermelon (minus seeds)
9. Pear (remove the stone)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

• If your dog has never had anything other than what you feed them for dinner, don’t feed them Christmas food.
• Also if your dog has a sensitive stomach, don’t feed them any Christmas food.
• If your dog has never had something, and if it’s safe, try them with only a very small amount.
• This is a guide only to what’s safe for your dog to eat.
• Don’t overfeed your dog.
• The idea is everything in moderation.
• You don’t want EVERYONE thinking it’s okay to feed your dog, so EVERYONE does give them something, and your dog ends up sick anyway because it’s had too much.
• Give them their own doggy chocolates and treats.

Every dog is different when it comes to food, while they all want food, some can handle certain foods better than others.

It’s best to know what your dog can and can’t tolerate before feeding them Christmas food.

When in doubt, don’t feed them any Christmas food.

CHRISTMAS FOOD NOT SAFE FOR YOUR DOG!

1. No chips and dip
2. Nothing salty – nuts, etc
3. No Ham (too salty)
4. No Pork (causes stomach upset)
5. No cooked bones (can splinter in their insides)
6. Nothing with spices on it
7. No onions/garlic
8. No mushrooms
9. No grapes, sultanas etc
10. No avocado
11. No chocolate
12. No sweets, cakes etc from human table
13. No fruit with stones or pips etc
14. No stuffing or gravies
15. No alcohol or caffeine
16. No mince pies, fruit cake or Christmas pudding

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR IF YOUR DOG ISN’T FEELING WELL!

1. Vomiting
2. bloating
3. loss of appetite
4. weakness, can’t get up
5. diarrhoea
6. fever
7. blood in urine or pooh

IDEAS ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE FROM OVER EATING AND/OR EATING THE WRONG THING!

If your dog is a social dog and wants to be out and about with the Christmas Day festivities, then I can’t stress enough how important it is to tell everyone NOT TO FEED THE DOG, party food.  Put up a Sign or a few signs.

Put out a bowl of your dog’s dry food or small amounts of treats your dog likes, and have people feed that to your dog.  BUT I can’t stress enough, DON’T OVER FEED YOUR DOG.

Give your dog a raw bone or chew treat so they’re busy chewing on that while everyone is having their Christmas festivities.

If Christmas Day is hot, freeze some treats and place them in your dog’s treat ball etc.

When your dog isn’t a social dog and everyone is coming over, put them somewhere safe away from people, with their bedding, water, cover from the weather, their toys and a small amount of food.  So they feel near and safe, but away from what makes them anxious.

If you happen to be taking your dog to someone else’s place, same thing applies, if they’re social make sure everyone knows not to feed them.

Keep them near you on a lead if they jump on people, or put them somewhere they can be safe but not a bother.  Take their own food to eat, or feed them small amounts of the Safe Christmas Food.

When in doubt, put a little plate aside for your dog with a small amount of what they are allowed to have and give that to them for Christmas.

Another alternative is to buy all dog friendly treats, ice-cream, chocolate from your local pet store!!

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

No-one wants a vet visit on Christmas Day.

It’s best to have an idea of what Christmas food your dog can have.  However it’s more important to feed them what they are use to.

When in doubt don’t feed your dog Christmas food at all and encourage your guests not to feed your dog.

Keep an eye out for any symptoms your dog may be showing regarding, overeating or eating the wrong food.

Most of all make sure your dog is safe and happy this Christmas Day.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW –  BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – WHAT YOUR DOG’S FAVOURITE TREAT IS?