Fido's Holiday Plate - Top 10 Safe vs Unsafe Holiday Foods For Dogs

Our cousin is vegan, our niece is lactose intolerant, and our brother is newly committed to the paleo diet. And… what about Fido? What’s HIS diet this holiday? As we take into account all of our family members and their dietary needs this Holiday season, we can’t help but to also think about our four-legged friend standing at our feet any time we step into the kitchen. So what exactly is pup-friendly on the menu this year?!
To help make your holiday season fun and safe for your pet, here’s a list of the top 10 Christmas foods and whether they’re suitable for your pup.

Ham

Ham is not a dog-friendly meat. Typically high in sodium, fat, and nitrates, our pup’s system cannot handle ham the way we do. Too much ham can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, lethargy, and abnormal fluid accumulation.

Mashed potatoes & Sweet potatoes

Cooked potatoes in their most basic form are perfectly safe for pets - they especially love sweet potatoes! When it comes to mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole, however, we usually add all the goodies like salt, cream, butter, etc. These additives are what makes this favorite potentially unsafe for dogs and can cause distress to their digestive system.

Gravy

Gravy is not dog-friendly, as it typically contains toxic ingredients such as onions and garlic. Gravy also has a very high sodium and fat content, which can be very toxic for your pup.

Green bean casserole

Like potatoes, green beans in their most basic form are a great snack for your pup! However, when we add other ingredients such as butter, onions, and garlic, they are no longer safe.

Carrots

Carrots are another fantastic addition to your pup's holiday bowl, but take note if the carrots have lots of other ingredients added, such as sugar, garlic, and oils. Sugar + light oil is not toxic for your pup until they are eaten in excess, but garlic and onions are.

Gingerbread cookies

Oh how we wish we could share the sweets, too! However, we advise against it. High amounts of sugar can upset your dog's belly, and many baked goods have nutmeg in them, which is toxic to dogs.

Prime rib or roast beef

Like many dishes on the list, beef itself is safe for dogs. Just avoid the seasonings, fatty parts, and especially the bones - they can get caught in your dog’s esophagus or digestive tracts.

Cheese

Ah, another favorite of humans and dogs! Although cheese is life to many, we strongly recommend limiting your dog’s intake of dairy products. Too much dairy can cause major distress to their digestive system!

Apple Pie

Apples are a fantastic snack for your pets - just in moderation due to sugar levels! Apple pie on the other hand… may cause issues. With all the butter & sugar involved in apple pie, we suggest steering clear of it with your dog.

Brussel Sprouts

Brussels are safe for your dog to enjoy, as long as they do not have an excess of butter, have garlic and onions, or any other inflammatory seasonings.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your pup stays happy and healthy this holiday season!

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