Aussies have been warned not to feed their pets any Christmas leftovers once your family and loved ones have finished their meals. It’s not uncommon for people to finish their festive lunch with a few bits and pieces on their plates and pass them off to the family dog or cat.
It might seem innocuous, but this can wreak havoc on your pet’s insides. Sydney Animal Hospitals vet Dr Zoe Pimlott told Yahoo Lifestyle you should avoid giving them leftovers as much as possible.
“This time of year we see such high surges of things like gastroenteritis and pancreatitis, just from pets being fed Christmasy-type foods that are pretty rich,” she said.
RELATED:
What happens when your pets eat Christmas leftovers?
Foods that are high in fat, which can be things like your Christmas ham, can trigger pancreatitis for dogs.
“The pancreas is involved in secreting enzymes for fat digestion,” Dr Pimlott said.
“So when dogs have an overwhelming amount of fat, it really overwhelms the pancreas and it becomes inflamed. And a small amount can precipitate this problem.”
Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com
The Sydney-based vet said certain breeds, particularly small ones like Schnauzers, are more inclined to develop this.
There are other food items that can also be very high in salt, like cured meats, which can cause the gastrointestinal issues.
“In really severe cases, they can get salt toxicities if they’ve consumed a lot of salty things, and it also contributes to more complicated issues, like dehydration,” Dr Pimlott said.
She said that symptoms to be on the lookout for are:
You have to be alert when food is around
There might be some people who can’t resist giving the household pet some leftovers, particularly if the animal is good at switching on the puppy eyes.
But the vet added that there are plenty of pets who manage to tuck into abandoned Christmas food because people have left plates unattended and within reach.
“Just be extra cautious and aware that these things can cause a problem,” she said.
Some Christmas foods like ham and salty meats can wreak havoc on your pets. Picture: Getty
“Even cats, like, if you think about leaving your plates up on high surfaces, a cat is going to be able to get to that.”
She added that some foods can cause even more problems if they have bones that can be swallowed by the pets.
When these bones have been attached to cooked meat, they can shatter when bitten or swallowed and that can cut into the animal’s throat or guts.
SHOP:
What should you do if your pet eats Christmas leftovers?
Dr Pimlott said it all depends on how much your pet eats and what type of food it is.
If it’s a small amount of food, you just need to monitor them for the common symptoms.
If those symptoms show up, the Sydney expert said it’s worth taking your pet to the vet.
But if they eat more toxic foods commonly found at Christmas lunches like raisins or chocolate, then you need to act much faster.
“Go to your vet immediately,” she said.
“We can induce vomiting to detoxify the gastrointestinal tract, and that can really help to reduce absorption of toxic substances.”
But if you’re stuck wondering what to do because you’re unsure, she said it’s better to be “safe than sorry”.
“Just call your vet. We can triage things over the phone if the owners are not quite sure what to do,” she added.
Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
