Erin McDaid, our in-house Vet, shares festive tips for keeping Christmas free of troubles for our canines…

I love the festive period, and with the countdown for Christmas well on its way, I have been getting so excited about having my first Christmas with my Whippet, Pickle. Who doesn’t love a delicious mince pie! But what is a tasty treat for me is actually a toxic nightmare for Pickle. Which got me thinking about how many seemingly harmless foods and Christmas decorations are very toxic to our dogs and how owners are often very unaware of their effects.

To save you the worry and the time googling, I have listed some common toxins to our pups:

Christmas Puddings and Mince Pies (Raisins)

Grapes and their dried products (currants, sultanas and raisins) are extremely toxic to dogs. Eating even a small quantity can cause severe kidney failure. The signs of this, including severe vomiting and diarrhoea, are often delayed one to two days after eating, by which time the damage is done. So ensure you keep vigilant with your dog and if any raisins or grapes are eaten seek immediate veterinary attention.

Onions (and garlic, leeks, shallots and chives)

Now I know it can be tempting to want your dog to experience the joy of a delicious Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings. But it is those trimmings, such as onion filled stuffing that pose the real risk to your four-legged friend. Onions, whether raw or cooked, all belong to the Allium species of plants and can cause toxicity. Initially there can be vomiting and diarrhoea but the main effect is actually damage to red blood cells, causing anaemia, which may not be apparent for several days after eating.

Alcohol

Whilst I will be enjoying a festive tipple, Pickle most certainly will not. Alcohol can have a similar effect in our dogs as it does in us and we all know that a hangover is never an enjoyable experience. They can become wobbly and drowsy and in severe cases, there is a risk of low body temperature, low blood sugar and coma.

Macadamia nuts

Nuts are a real tradition of Christmas and whilst not all nuts are a concern for dogs Macadamia nuts can cause lethargy, increased body temperature, tremors, limping and stiffness in dogs.

Poinsettia

Those beautiful red flowers epitomise Christmas for me but they pose a risk. They can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach with excessive drooling and sometimes vomiting

Holly

Luckily this wreath making staple is considered to be of low toxicity, but eating the holly berries may result in a stomach upset.

Mistletoe

Thanks to Covid Christmas kisses have been put on hold so the mistletoe will be decorative purposes only, but eating European mistletoe berries can result in an upset stomach. The American species of the plant is far more dangerous.

Christmas trees and their decorations

For those of us still sticking true to the tradition of a real Christmas tree, pine needles are an unfortunate side effect. If your pup eats pine needles they can cause a mild stomach upset, but the sharp tips can cause more damage internally. Christmas decorations like baubles if swallowed can potentially cause an obstruction. Keeping your Christmas tree out of reach of your dog can help avoid these mishaps.

If your pup has found themselves on the naughty list this Christmas and has had access to any of the above poisons then please seek immediate veterinary attention. Your vet will be best able to advise you whether immediate treatment is needed, as with some of these toxins time is of the essence! Hopefully with this new information your pup will be safe from any risks – so Pickle and I hope you all have a wonderful festive season.

Listen out for more helpful hints from the wider WagWorks team soon.