Overview
- ManyPets’ November poll of 2,000 UK owners found gravy and stuffing were the most common reasons dogs ended up at the vet this festive season due to hidden onions, garlic, salt and fat.
- Australian vets reiterated a do-not-feed list that includes grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, macadamia nuts, xylitol and cooked bones, with warnings about sausages and ham containing risky ingredients.
- Clinics report increased holiday admissions for vomiting, diarrhoea and foreign bodies, with cases ranging from bone splinters to swallowed decorations requiring surgery.
- Fatty foods such as ham can trigger painful pancreatitis in dogs, according to Lort Smith Animal Hospital’s Dr Jessica Wilde.
- Owners are urged to prevent incidents by keeping human food out of reach, creating a quiet retreat for pets, briefing guests on safe treats and knowing which emergency vets are open, as some bills exceed £1,000.