With it being summer and the festive season, there are bound to be many BBQs, picnics and parties on the agenda for us. We need to remember our furry friends cant eat everything their human counterparts can. A few foods that our fur babies should avoid are:

Chocolate

Most pet owners are well-aware of this already, but it’s an easy one to forget at Christmas. Chocolate when ingested by pets can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma. Any amounts of alcohol no matter how small can kill a pet.

Onions and garlic

Onions and garlic can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed

Poultry skin, pork crackling, sausages and other fatty meats

These can all lead to inflammation of the pancreas in dogs due to high fat content.

Grapes and raisins

Both raisins and grapes, though, can cause kidney failure in your pet.

Avocados

They contain a toxin which can damage the lungs, heart and tissue.

Macadamia nuts

These nuts can also be toxic to dogs. Symptoms can include vomiting, hypothermia and elevated heart rate and generally usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and can last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

What to do if your pet gets food poisoning

If your pet is acting funny and you think they may have eaten a toxic food, you should call your local veterinarian immediately.

The best treat you can give your pet over Christmas is high-quality pet treats that contain the right nutrients to keep them healthy.