Overview
- Fresh guidance from Dogs Trust Cumbria highlights high‑risk foods for dogs, including grapes, raisins, sultanas, chocolate, onions, garlic, leeks, macadamia nuts, avocado, xylitol and alcohol.
- Petplan reports a 49% rise in insurance claims for grape and raisin poisoning compared with chocolate cases so far in 2025, signaling a shift in exposure during the holidays.
- Emergency vet Dr. Sam Bilko explains key risks: xylitol can trigger rapid hypoglycemia and potential liver failure, grape products are linked to kidney failure, darker chocolates carry greater toxicity, and packaging can cause obstructions.
- Owners are advised to keep hazardous items out of reach, avoid cooked poultry bones, stick to regular diets, offer only small plain portions like cooked turkey or vegetables, and keep poison‑control and emergency vet numbers handy as hours may be limited.
- Seasonal nonfood hazards also draw warnings, including unbaked bread dough expansion, fatty foods that can lead to pancreatitis, snow globes containing ethylene glycol, pine needles and tree water, tinsel, baubles and electrical lights.