Christmas is a time for family, fun and food, and with the festivities around the corner, many of us can’t help but treat our furry friends.

But one study have found that dogs are more likely to be treated at the vet for eating harmful foods during the Christmas season, so experts at Digital PR Agency have warned dog owners which Christmas foods to keep far away from their pets.

December is fast approaching, which means many people are stocking up on advent calendars. Pet specialists say dog ​​owners should keep them well out of the way.

Chocolate

Chocolate is toxic to dogs because its quality makes it difficult to digest, and experts have suggested that if your pet accidentally swallows some, you should contact a vet immediately.

Owners can also use one chocolate toxicity calculator to determine the severity of the case, always keep the packaging so you know what they have eaten.

mince pies

Mince pies – a Christmas favourite, can also cause digestive problems such as vomiting, but in the worst case scenario, mince pies can actually cause kidney failure in dogs due to the tannic acid in the dried fruits.

Onion & garlic recipe

Anything containing onions and garlic is a big no-no. Whether cooked or raw, they are a serious threat to pets and should be kept well away from them.

Vegetables from the allium species, which also include shallots, leeks and spring onions, can cause poisoning, with symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain and nausea.

Sauce

In addition to the fact that they may contain garlic and onions, the high amounts of sodium and fat can cause toxicity, leading to symptoms such as decreased appetite, excessive thirst and lack of energy.

So, as much as it may be something your dog would love, store-bought sauce should not be fed to them.

Christmas pudding

As mentioned with the mince pies, raisins can be dangerous for pets, but the alcohol in the festive dessert also brings its own risks.

The consumption of alcohol can cause many problems for dogs, including coordination problems, vomiting and breathing problems.

Because dogs’ tolerance to alcohol is much lower than that of humans, their symptoms can quickly progress to more serious problems, including seizures.

Accidents can happen, and a dog can consume something it shouldn’t, but the important thing to note is that if you find yourself in this situation, contact a vet as soon as possible.

And it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom; dogs can also enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner. Boneless turkey with some homemade gravy from the meat juices and some plain boiled carrots will do them well.