10 Best and Worst Holiday Foods for Pets
With the holiday’s right around the corner, there are several opportunities to indulge in family gatherings, parties and of course food, which also brings temptations to share your leftovers with your family pet. Even though pets really don’t need human food, there are some humans foods that are safe to give them in moderation and some foods that you should never give your pet. As always, be sure to check with your veterinarian before introducing new food into your pet’s diet.
Check out the following list for better food choices for your pet:
- Turkey (You can give your pet a little bit of Turkey, without the skin and no bones, and avoid raw or undercooked meat.)
- Mashed Potatoes (Mashed potatoes are okay as long it doesn’t contain butter, garlic, cheese, sour cream, bacon drippings or other right toppings.)
- Carrots (Cooked carrots without any added sugar or salt are safe to give your pets. Raw carrots are usually safe for dogs, but can be choking hazards for cats.)
- Gravy (Most gravies are too rich for your pets; rather pour a broth over your pet’s food.)
- Green Beans (Cooked green beans are a safe treat for both cats and dogs. Raw green beans are safe for dogs, but can be choking hazards for cats.)
- Chocolate (Chocolate should never be given to pets as this can be life threatening.)
- Unbaked Bread Dough (This may seem safe, however, if ingested it can expand in your pet’s stomach and cause several health problems.)
- Alcohol (It is never a good idea to give your pet alcohol.)
- Sugar-Free Candy and Baked Goods (Even though these may seem safe, sugar-free candy and baked goods should be kept away from pets. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum, candy and mints. This causes a sudden release of insulin in a pet’s body and can lead to several health problems.)
- Macadamia Nuts (These nuts may seem like an innocent treat to give your pet, however, several health problems can arise from eating these.)
