Deck the Paws - Festive Feating This Chrismas

Deck the Paws!  Navigating Christmas Feats for Your Four Legged Friends!  'Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to celebrate than by including our four-legged companions in the festive feasting? While it's tempting to share the joy of Christmas treats with your furry friend, it's essential to be mindful of their health and safety amidst the merriment. Here's a jolly guide to help you navigate the Christmas spread with your canine companion.

Safe Christmas Delights for Dogs

• Turkey: Opt for lean, boneless turkey meat as a protein treat for your pup. Leave the seasoned skin and bones, and ensure it's cooked without any added spices.
• Roasted Parsnips: A Christmas staple, roasted parsnips can be a tasty and healthy addition to your dog's Christmas dinner, go easy on the honey as some dogs do not tolerate it well!
• Carrots: Give your dog a crunchy delight with raw or cooked carrots. They're low in calories and rich in vitamins.
• Cranberry Sauce: Offer a dollop of plain cranberry sauce without added sugars, providing a touch of festive sweetness and antioxidants.
• Potatoes: Choose plain mash (with no butter or salt) or boiled potatoes when adding to their Christmas meal. Potatoes are very starchy which some dogs can struggle to digest.
• Vegetables: Most dogs can tolerate; carrot, parsnips, green beans, brussel sprouts, broccoli florets, peas, and even cauliflower(though without the cheese sauce!

Christmas Foods to Avoid for Dogs

• Stuffing with Onions: Onions in stuffing can lead to digestive issues, so it's best to keep this off your dog's plate.
• Gravy: Gravy is considered too fatty and salty for dogs, they will enjoy a Christmas dinner even without the gravy! 
• Pigs in blankets: Whilst they  are considered a delicious treat for dogs they can be difficult to digest and won't make them feel good, best sticking to lean meats! 
• Vegetables: Not all dogs tolerate a high volume of vegetables and all dogs should avoid corn on the cob and bulb vegetables such as onions and leeks.
• Bones from Meat Dishes: Cooked bones can splinter and pose hazards to your dog's health. Splintered pieces can cause pain or damage to your dogs mouth, throat and intestines.
• Mince Pies: These sweet treats often contain currants, raisins, and sultanas, all of which are harmful to dogs and can lead to acute kidney failure and death. Even a very small amount can cause severe problems in some dogs. Steer clear on Christmas Pudding, Christmas Cakes and even stollen for the same reasons!

Try and keep your dog in their usual routine during the festive period, make sure your dog always has plenty of fresh water and encourage lots of walks to walk off all of those delicious treats! 
Before the bank holidays, check you have all the medication you need for your pups and make a note of your vet opening times!