With Christmas just around the corner, you might be worried about what to feed your dog during dinner during this holiday festival.
The aroma of fresh roast and mash can make your dog excited about getting a piece of that scrumptious meal.
However, not all food is suitable for dogs. Some human food can upset a dog's stomach, which is unpleasant, but some are considerably more hazardous and can even harm them.
In this article, let’s take a look at what your dog can and cannot eat during Christmas.
What food can dogs eat at Christmas?
It is safer to avoid feeding your dog the Christmas meal you have prepared for your family no matter how hard it is to resist the puppy dog eyes. This is because dogs cannot eat the same food as humans.
Their digestive systems have evolved differently through generations of evolution. Certain vegetables and meats can be eaten in moderation, but there are many components that should still be avoided by dogs.
You may simply feed them a dish of their favourite nutritious dog chow instead of sharing yours to keep things simple.
Can dogs eat broccoli?
Broccoli is high in vitamins and minerals, low in calories, and high in fibre, all of which help to keep their digestive system functioning.
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All types of broccoli are safe for dogs to consume. If you wish to give your dog a piece of broccoli, do so before adding any seasonings or other substances, such as onions or oils, that can irritate their stomachs.
Broccoli has several health advantages. For example, this vitamin powerhouse boosts bone density while also providing a slew of other advantages.
Bone strength might help your energetic dog stay active for longer. As our dogs age, their bone density declines, limiting their mobility.
Can dogs eat cabbage?
Yes, you can feed your dog cabbage as it has a number of health benefits. Cabbage is high in vital vitamins such as vitamin K, C, B6, and B1.
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It's also high in fibre and important minerals such as manganese, copper, and potassium. Red cabbage, in particular, is thought to have powerful anti-cancer effects.
Although dogs get the majority of their nutrients from their usual meal, it never hurts to supplement with nutritious human foods like cabbage every now and again.
Do note that raw cabbage is the preferred option to feed your dog as seasoned ones can give them tummy aches.
Can dogs eat peas?
Yes, they can. Vitamin A, K, and B vitamins are all found in peas. Minerals including iron, zinc, potassium, and magnesium are abundant in peas
Can dogs eat carrots?
Carrots are safe for dogs to eat, much like many other fruits and vegetables. In fact, dogs may eat every part of this vegetable, from the carrot itself to the lush green tips.
Can dogs eat Christmas stuffing?
Stuffing comprises onions, spices, and herbs. Onions are harmful to dogs, and several spices and herbs might irritate their stomachs.
N-propyl disulfide, a molecule found in onions, is poisonous to dogs. This chemical is called a sulphur compound, and it's the reason onions are so toxic to dogs.
The oxidative damage caused by N-propyl disulfide adheres to the oxygen molecules in your dog's red blood cells. The red blood cells are unable to transport oxygen effectively as a result of this.
That's bad enough, but it also fools your dog's system into believing that its own red blood cells are deadly. The body of your dog fights the red blood cells in this way, a process known as hemolysis.
Hemolysis can develop into hemolytic anaemia if not treated. This implies that your dog's red blood cells are being destroyed faster than they are produced, resulting in significant poisoning symptoms and, in the worst-case scenario, death.
Can dogs eat mash?
Mashed potatoes are okay for dogs. The biggest issue with mashed potatoes is that they are high in calories due to the addition of fatty ingredients such as butter and cream.
To avoid your dogs ingesting something that may upset their stomach or cause disease, any mash you serve with your canine should be free of fancy additives like sour cream, spices, and seasonings.
If your dog has diabetes, it should avoid eating mashed potatoes entirely because potatoes are a high glycemic meal that will induce an increase in blood sugar levels.
Can dogs eat Yorkshire pudding?
This food item is not to be consumed. Although Yorkshire puddings do not contain known components that are likely to be harmful to dogs in small doses, it does not give any nutritional value to dogs.
Store-bought puddings are frequently heavily processed and rich in salt, which is bad for canines.
Can dogs eat gravy?
It's preferable not to add gravy to your dog’s meals. While your dog may appreciate the flavour of human gravy, it is far too salty and greasy for them and should be avoided as it may cause stomach discomfort as well as digestive issues such as illness and diarrhoea.
Instead, you may give your dog a special treat by feeding him dog food with gravy that has been specially formulated for canines.
Can dogs eat a roast dinner?
Turkey is a highly digestible protein source that is widely included in dog meals. If your dog has an upset stomach, physicians generally recommend a bland meal consisting of cooked turkey or chicken until it feels better.
Your roast dinner turkey, on the other hand, was prepared whole and roasted rather than boiled, so not all of it is acceptable for your pet.
The meat itself, when prepared in moderate amounts, is most likely a harmless Christmas treat.
However, dog owners whose dogs have sensitive stomachs, dietary intolerances, or previous gastrointestinal difficulties should proceed with caution.
The skin, as tasty as it may be, is heavy in fat and should not be fed to your pet, no matter how much they want you to. At the absolute least, it will upset their stomach, and in some dogs, it may induce pancreatitis.
Furthermore, garlic and onion, which are harmful to dogs, can be found in spice mixes and gravies that frequently coat the skin of your roasted turkey.
If you think it isn't festive enough during Christmas without a roast, try Petcubes' festive turkey for dogs instead which is specially formulated for your furry friend.
What Christmas foods are bad for dogs?
Certain components should never be included in your dog's Christmas supper since they might cause major stomach distress or even death. During the holiday season, here are some examples of food that are bad for canines:
- Onions: As explained earlier, onions are harmful to dogs. This can cause damage to red blood cells, which can lead to anaemia.
- Chocolate: Dogs should not be fed chocolate as they are very poisonous and even little quantities can be lethal. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which can produce significant responses including agitation, tremors and convulsions.
- Mistletoe: There are a lot of dangerous plants during this time of year that are also poisonous to dogs. Holly, ivy, and mistletoe berries and leaves are harmful to dogs and can induce stomach distress.
- Macadamia and walnuts: They're extremely dangerous to dogs since they contain a toxin that can cause neurological disorders or seizures.
- Dairy and milk: Lactose is difficult for dogs to digest, and high quantities of dairy can result in stomach troubles, illness, and diarrhoea.
- Grapes: Grape poisoning in dogs can result in substantial renal damage, which can lead to catastrophic acute (sudden) kidney failure. The specific hazardous ingredient in grapes is unknown, but it's thought that it's due to dogs' inability to metabolise flavonoids, tannins, and monosaccharides.
- Avocado: Many of us like avocados around the holidays, but both the fruit and the stone contain a toxin that is toxic to dogs.
- Cooked bones: Animal bones that have been cooked become highly brittle and can shatter, causing injury to your pet's oesophagus, stomach, and intestines, in addition to being a choking danger. Make sure there aren't any cooked bones remaining in the meat your pet eats.
Christmas foods safety tips
Here are some ways in which you can ensure your dog enjoys Christmas dinner while being safe:
- Feed them meals specifically made for dogs: Many pet shops sell festive meals for canines and you can provide this for your canine. You can try PetCubes’ Christmas Dinner (coming soon!) that is both delicious and safe for your dog to consume during this holiday season.
- Don’t use edible tree decorations: These treats are simply too tempting, and your pets will inevitably tug at them, knocking your tree over. Furthermore, they are choking dangers.
- Buy safe Christmas plants: When eaten, holly and mistletoe are poisonous plants. Both English and Asian kinds of holly contain toxic saponins that can induce stomach trouble if consumed.
- Don't overfeed your dog, whether it's with dog food or human food.
- Wrappers, human food, and especially bones should be disposed of with care.
- Remove the trash and secure the garbage bags, whether they are inside or outside, so they cannot be broken into.
- Request that all guests refrain from feeding your pet. It's far easier than attempting to convince everyone to obey the food regulations outlined above.
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Concluding remarks
We'd all want our pets to come to the table with us and eat the same great meals we do. Unfortunately, some Christmas dinners are just not safe for our pets. So, pay close attention to what you feed your canine during this season to ensure you and your dog have a memorable time with friends and family. Opt for fuss-free fresh pet food from PetCubes so you can enjoy the company of your furkid and family with no worries. Happy holidays!
Reviewed by:
Dr Francis is one of the top wildlife nutritionists in Asia. Originating from Montreal, Canada, he left at 21 to pursue his Masters and subsequently a PhD in wildlife nutrition at Oxford Brookes University. Instead of taking the path of common animal science to learn about farm animals, or through the veterinarian space and taking a certificate in nutrition, he took the road less travelled to dive deep into the world of animal ecology, metabolism and nutrition.