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Keeping Our Furry Family Members Safe with Holiday Food

photo of cat and dog

By Susan Hunt-Bradford, Healthy Planet Publisher

Veterinarians often see more pet visits to their clinics during the holidays because pets eat the wrong foods. It’s hard to resist giving your pets yummy holiday (people) food, but it’s in everyone’s best interest to be careful about what food we feed our furry companions.

According to The Brownsville Clinic and the American Kennel Club, listed are holiday foods to share and NOT share with your cats and dogs.

DO NOT SHARE:

  • Corn on the Cob
  • Chocolate
  • Nuts
  • Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener)
  • Turkey skin and bones
  • Gravy Trimmings
  • Fatty Foods and other rich foods made with seasonings and butter
  • Grapes and Raisins
  • Sage
  • Onions and garlic
  • Nutmeg
  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Stuffing
  • Yeast dough
  • Most desserts

To Share (unless there’s an allergy) with your pets in small quantities:

  • Turkey meat
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Pumpkin with nothing added
  • Green beans
  • Fresh and cooked plain peas
  • Small apple chunks peeled

If the food in question isn’t on one of these lists, better to be safe and don’t let your pet eat it or double-check with your vet beforehand. And if your pet gets into anything they shouldn’t, contact a local emergency vet clinic if your vet is closed.