It’s that time of the year again… the tinsel is out, the trees are up and the shops are crazy busy. Supermarket trolleys are chockers with turkeys, ham, shortbread and all the holiday goodies we know and love. The credit card is working overtime to finish shopping for presents, and like all good pawrents, the household furries are also on the list. Dogs the world over will be on the lookout for droolworthy under-the-table snacks and leftovers come Christmas day. But which holiday foods are actually safe (or healthy even) for your dog?
Turkey
Absolutely. A good source of protein and a tasty treat when fed cooked and unseasoned. Avoid the stuffing and cooked bones just in case. Raw meat is fine too so long as your dog is used to eating raw. Same rules go for chicken and other meats.
Veggies
My puppers LOVE a dollop of mashed pumpkin or sweet potato with their meal. Leftover veggies from your holiday roast or salads (minus seasonings or dressing) are a great addition to your dog's dinner bowl. They are brimming with vitamins, beta carotene, potassium, iron, calcium, fibre and more.
Other healthy vegetables include carrots, spinach, green beans, broccoli, zucchini, cucumber, and kale. Just make sure that zucchini, pumpkin and sweet potato are cooked before feeding.
Fruit
Cranberries are a Christmas staple and chock full of antioxidants to boost your dog's immune system. Make sure they are fresh (avoid cranberry sauce as it’s packed with sugar) and always smoosh them to make them bioavailable so your dog gets all the goodness in each berry.
Other safe and healthy fruits include blueberries and strawberries (smoosh for better digestion), apples, pears, kiwi fruit, mango and watermelon. Always remove seeds before feeding and remove both stone and skin for stone fruit.
Seafood
A great source of omega 3 fatty acids and a tasty addition to your dog's bowl. Avoid spices and seasonings just to be on the safe side. Fatty fish such as salmon, anchovies and sardines will make his coat shine, but other seafood including oysters (good source of zinc) and green lipped mussels (terrific for arthritis) are also healthy choices. Be careful if feeding shellfish as dogs can be allergic… try a small amount to make sure there is no adverse reaction and always remove the shell.
Nuts
Ummm… yes and no. A couple peanuts without the shell is OK, so is peanut butter (check it does not contain Xylitol) but beyond that it’s probably best to avoid them. Not all are toxic to dogs, but they are high in fat, making them difficult for dogs to digest in large amounts. Too much fat in a dog’s diet can hinder the ability of the pancreas to break down and process it, which can lead to pancreatitis. Nuts can also present a choking hazard and shelled nuts can lead to digestive blockages.
Some other foods to avoid during the holidays include chocolate (and other sugary sweets), onion, cooked bones, dairy (including cheese), grapes and raisins or sultanas, skin and fat trimmings from meats, gravy, ham (too salty), and holiday seasonings such as nutmeg and sage.
Wishing you and your pupper a happy, healthy (and tasty) Christmas!!
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