Eating delicious food is one of the best parts of celebrating the holidays. However, when you’re eating dinners or desserts, keep an eye on your pets. Individual holiday dishes aren’t good for animals, and you don’t want your furry family members getting sick. To avoid a trip to the veterinarian, avoid giving your pets the following holiday foods.

What Holiday Foods Should Pets Avoid?

1. Chocolate

From brownies to chocolate chip cookies, there will be several chocolate desserts served at your holiday parties. Don’t let your pets have any of them, as chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical compound that’s toxic to most pets, mainly canines. A dog who eats chocolate may experience seizures and other severe health conditions that require an emergency trip to the veterinarian. 

2. Fruit Cake

Fruit cake is a favorite holiday food for many, but it should stay out of your pet’s reach. The cake contains raisins, which are poisonous to dogs. Raisin intoxication can result in rapid kidney failure and may be fatal if not treated quickly.

3. Turkey Skin

While plain white turkey isn’t harmful to animals, turkey skin is. The skin is high in fat, difficult for animals to digest, and may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis. To skip a trip to the veterinarian over the holidays, toss leftover turkey skin in a trashcan with a fastened lid.

4. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a spice used in many holiday foods, including sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie, and should never be given to your pets. In significant amounts, nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, shock, and respiratory issues in most animals.

If you have additional questions about what you can’t feed your pet during the holidays, turn to the veterinarians at Elyria Anima Hospital in Elyria, OH. This animal hospital has been providing reliably veterinary care for 20 years and genuinely care about the pets they treat. From routine exams to pet laser therapy, they offer a wide range of services to help your furry family members stay as healthy as possible. For more information about their services, call (440) 365-3818 today or visit their website.