Give your dog the right treats this festive season

You love your dog just as much as any other family members so you have no intention of excluding them during your festivities because everyone deserves a treat this festive season, especially your furry friends.

Whether it is a yummy treat, a new bed or a fun new toy, it is important to make sure the gifts are safe for your furry friend.

Pedigree advises on dangerous gifts or treats you should avoid giving your pets because a trip to the veterinarian is a sure way to ruin your festivities

• Meat bones:
It is probably at the top of their Christmas wish list but we know mom and dad always know best so avoid treating your dogs to raw or cooked turkey, chicken or any meat bones. Bone fragments can serve as a choking hazard and could possibly shatter or splinter in your dog’s intestinal tract and cause intestinal blockage.

• Dangerous toys:
Sometimes not all toys are safe for pets so avoid giving your pooch balls that are too small, toys with string or ribbon, or toys stuffed with beads or beans as these could serve as choking hazards.

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• Rich/fatty leftovers:
As humans, we over-indulge during the festive season and we assume our pups deserve a bit of an indulgence too. However, some of the ingredients in your food may contain garlic, onions and raisins, which cause digestive complications and leftovers could lead to severe complications such as pancreatitis. If you feel obliged to give your pup a taste of your holiday dinner, make a smaller portion that doesn’t contain any toxic, rich or fatty ingredients.

• Chocolate:
“Mom said chocolate isn’t good for dogs but you can have the rest of my milk” is definitely a saying that stuck with us all growing up. Sadly, chocolate and other caffeinated food and drinks contain a substance called theobromine which is toxic to dogs causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, heart problems, muscle tremors and seizures. The darker the chocolate, the higher the levels of theobromine so hide away the advent calendars and chocolate gifts.

• Sugar-free baked goods or candy:
Don’t be tempted to share your gingerbread man or shortbread biscuits with your pet as it may contain a sugar substitute called xylitol, which is another toxic ingredient for dogs that causes their blood sugar levels to drop.

So, instead of opting for treats that may be harmful to your furry friend opt for a Christmas sock filled with Pedigree’s treat range.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.

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