Holiday Food Hazards for Dogs

The festive season is one of our favourite times of year at Middle Brighton Vet - and also one of our busiest. Every December and January we see a spike in dogs presenting with vomiting, lethargy, and abdominal pain, and the cause is almost always the same: something delicious that was left within reach.

Here are the three things we see most often, and what to do if your dog helps themselves.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound dogs cannot metabolise the way humans can. Dark chocolate and cooking chocolate are the most dangerous - a small amount can cause serious toxicity in a medium-sized dog. Milk chocolate is lower risk but not safe, and white chocolate contains very little theobromine but a lot of fat (see below).

What to watch for: vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, excessive thirst, rapid breathing, muscle tremors, and in severe cases, seizures.

If your dog gets into the Christmas chocolate box, call us or the Animal Poisons Helpline immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. The amount consumed and your dog's weight determine the risk, and we can help you work that out quickly over the phone.

Fatty foods

Ham, turkey skin, fatty BBQ offcuts, and the drippings from the roasting pan are a perfect storm for pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas that can range from mild gastrointestinal upset to a genuinely serious illness requiring hospitalisation.

What to watch for: vomiting, diarrhoea, hunched posture, lethargy, and loss of appetite, usually appearing within 24 to 48 hours of the feast.

Pancreatitis can develop quickly. If your dog ate something rich and is not bouncing back within a few hours, bring them in rather than waiting it out.

Garbage and spoiled food

Bins get full over the holidays. Bags get left out. Dogs are opportunists. Spoiled food carries mould and bacterial toxins that can cause what we call garbage toxicity - neurological symptoms including wobbliness, drooling, tremors, and in serious cases, seizures. This is one that needs prompt veterinary attention.

Make sure your bins are secured and any bags are out of reach, particularly overnight.

A few other things to keep in mind

Grapes, raisins, and sultanas - including in Christmas cake and pudding - are toxic to dogs even in small amounts and can cause acute kidney failure. Onions and garlic in any form are also a risk. Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, tremors, and hyperthermia.

When to call us

If you are not sure whether what your dog ate is a problem, call us. That is what we are here for. It is always better to check and be reassured than to wait and have a sick dog on Christmas Day.

From all of us at Middle Brighton Vet - have a safe and happy festive season.

Related services at Middle Brighton Vet: Consultations and Health Checks