Below are some foods you should and shouldn't share with your pet.
Good Food Stuff!
. Cooked Meat - Turkey, ham etc this is fine in small quantities try to avoid giving your pet too much fat and skin as this can cause an upset stomach and diarrhoea.
. Vegetables - most cooked vegetables (carrots, beans, courgette brussel sprouts etc) are fine in moderation but remember that potatoes are hard for dogs to digest.
. Eggs are fine cooked or raw
. Fruit is ok but can be acidic and cause upset stomachs. Don't give your pet fruit with pips or stones, Rhubarb is toxic!
. Dog /cat treats - the best way to treat your pet at Christmas!
Bad Food Stuff!
. BONES! Go easy on the bones, they can cause constipation and obstructions. Please do not feed your dog or cat cooked bones! These bones splinter easily and can cause damage to your pets mouth,
oesophagus and intestines.
. try to make sure that meat/veg scraps are not covered in spicy sauces or contain too much fat.
. PUDDINGS! Your pet really does not need pudding! Most puddings contain ingredients that are toxic to your pet.
. CHOCOLATE contains theobromine that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle twitching amongst other symptoms and can kill your pet. The sugar substitute XYLITOL is highly toxic to your pet. A tiny amount of this substance can cause seizures, brain damage, hypoglycaemia and liver failure and will kill your pet!
. ALCOHOL! Please do not allow your pets' access to any alcohol.
Moderation is the key to a happy stomach!
General tips for happy healthy hols!
. Cats love trees- especially Christmas trees! If you have an inquisitive cat try to make sure that access to the tree is supervised! Baubles and decorations can be dangerous!
. give your pet space - Christmas time can be hectic with a constant stream of visitors your pet may become over active or anxious. Take your dog for a good walk before visitors arrive, a tired dog is a good dog! Make sure there is somewhere quiet and safe they can go to chill, perhaps with that special
doggy chew treat!
. Be especially vigilant of your old pet, they may get disorientated in a crowd.
. Don't let your pets have access to rubbish bins or bags!
. Don't overfeed your pets.
. Ask your visitors not to feed your pet titbits.
Do buy treats that are specially formulated for your dog and cat from your vet or pet shop.
Playing with your pet will help distract them from all the glitzy decorations!
Most of all enjoy that special time at home with your best friends.
Kenilworth Veterinary Hospital
47 Kenilworth Road, Cape Town, Kenilworth, South Africa
Tel: 021-671-5018
www.facebook.com/kenilworth.vet