And with a lot of food thrown away over the Christmas period, you may be tempted to treat your pets to some of the leftovers.
However, some common Christmas foods can actually make our pets seriously ill, so it is important to know which ones should be avoided.
Even if your cat or dog has only eaten a small amount of these foods, it's important to do the following:
Call the vet straight away - Don’t wait for your pet to start showing symptoms. A vet will be able to offer advice, and the quicker you act, the better chance your pet will have of recovery.
Note the time and quantity of food ingested – Provide the vet with as much information as you can. This includes the time your pet ate the unsafe food, brand names, the ingredient list and how much you think they consumed
Don’t try to make your pet sick – Attempting this can cause further health complications. Leave this to your vet, as they are trained to do this in a safe manner.
Animal health specialists at OurFitPets have put together a list of common Christmas foods that can cause serious health problems for cats and dogs, as well as advice on what you should do if your furry friend accidentally eats any of these foods.
They are ...
5. Onion gravy
As with sage and onion stuffing, onion gravy can contain vegetables of the allium variety and should be avoided at all costs. Photo: fahrwasser - stock.adobe.com
6. Macadamia nuts
While it's not fully understood why Macadamia nuts are unsafe for domestic animals, consuming them can cause your cat or dog to appear weak or sleepy and can cause painful or stiff joints that may make it difficult for them to walk.This variety of nut can also induce vomiting, tremors and raised body temperature for up to two days. Photo: Nataliya Arzamasova
7. Chocolate
Chocolate can be particularly toxic for cats and dogs as it contains a compound called theobromine, which animals can’t metabolise easily, and causes overstimulation of their muscles, including their heart. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the worst offenders as they contain the highest levels of theobromine, while white chocolate is the least harmful as it contains only a small amount of the compound. Although it's still not recommended giving your pets white chocolate, as the high levels of fat and sugar are still likely to upset their stomach. Signs of chocolate poisoning in pets includes; vomiting, a more excitable mood or muscle twitching, elevated heart rate or breathing, tremors or twitching. Photo: vitals - stock.adobe.com
8. Blue cheese
Blue cheese such as Roquefort contain a compound called roquefortine C, which is known to cause muscle tremors and seizures in cats and dogs for up to two days. Photo: Stepanek Photography - stock.ado