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Sharing holiday foods can
endanger pets
November 22, 2007
Right about now, your home is probably filled with the delicious, warm
smells of a turkey baking in the oven, the aroma of homemade bread and a
delightfully scrumptious pumpkin pie. One doesn't have to be a psychic
to also guess that your trusty four-legged companion is right at your
heels, eyes filled with love and anticipation waiting to partake of the
tasty treats.
"After all it is Thanksgiving," his adorable eyes implore.
It's hard to resist a loving friend's begging ways, but for their sake,
resisting the temptation to share your feast with them should be the
rule of Turkey Day, and actually any day.
Turkey, gravy and all the trimmings are tasty, but can be dangerous to
our pet's digestive system. The No. 1 culprit to them is pancreatitis,
which can be caused by foods high in fat, such as turkey drippings and
gravy, as well as all the trimmings. They can cause an acute onset and
the pet can develop a chronic condition of pancreatitis, which occurs
when the pancreas becomes inflamed. It can be fatal if left undetected
or untreated.
Other holiday foods that can be harmful to your pets may surprise you.
What's the harm in unbaked bread dough, for example? As it turns out,
lots. It can expand into a big problem.
A dog's stomach is a warm, moist environment and a perfect place for
unbaked bread dough to expand, which can distend your dog's abdomen and
cause extreme pain. Along with the expansion, the yeast can ferment,
which can lead to alcohol toxicity.
Our pet's digestive system often can't process food the same way we do.
It's the reason why chocolate is a big NO for our pets. Unlike us, our
pet's body can't breakdown the chemical theobromine, a stimulant that
can dangerously affect their central nervous system and heart muscle.
These "bad" foods can also be addictive. Once they've had a taste they
use all their talents to sniff them out and consume more. Another food
item that ends up in our dog's bowl are turkey bones. Hollow bones, like
turkey and chicken bones, can easily splinter and lead to choking. They
can block or puncture intestines. Other poisonous things to avoid are
onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.
But there are healthy alternatives, such as carrots, a fun and healthy
treat for dogs and cats. Dogs enjoy the crunchiness and it also cleans
their teeth and gums. Cats can easily digest carrots that are cooked and
served in small portions. Of course, the safest treat of all is a good
recipe of interaction, love and playtime with our furry friends.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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