Holiday Food Warnings by Our Experienced Veterinarians
at Hamilton Road Animal Hospital in Columbus, OH
As your go-to Columbus veterinarians, our team at Hamilton Road Animal Hospital is here to help your cats and dogs achieve optimal health and wellness. And with the holiday season arriving, we'd also like to take a moment to caution pet owners against feeding cats and dogs table scraps, including leftover chicken, turkey, and meat bones.
Chicken, Turkey, and Bones: Holiday Food Dangers for Your Dog(s) and Cat(s)
We understand; it's hard to say "no" to those sad eyes when your dog or cat is begging for food around the dinner table. Unfortunately, even a small amount of certain holiday foods can pose a serious threat to your pet's health. For starters, raw and cooked meats can seriously upset your pet's stomach. Even if your pet's regular food contains turkey or chicken, it's likely that this is only a chicken or turkey meal, which is not the same thing as giving your pet cooked meat. This food can upset your pet's gastrointestinal system, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.
Furthermore, even if your pet's stomach isn't upset by the meat itself, certain seasonings you've used on the meat can be toxic to cats and dogs. Did you know, for example, that garlic, onions, and scallions can actually lead to toxic anemia in pets, which results in potentially lethal damage to the red blood cells?
In addition, make sure your pets don't get ahold of any meat bones, no matter how big or small. Small bones can be accidentally ingested by your pet, resulting in obstruction of the esophagus, windpipe, or stomach. Even larger bones that cannot be ingested could cause your pet to chip or break a tooth, or otherwise injure the mouth, gums, or tongue.
When to Seek Veterinary Care and What Signs to Look for with Your Pet(s)
If your pet is showing any signs of toxic anemia (even if you didn't knowingly feed your pet any food scraps), such as fatigue or weakness, seek veterinary care as soon as possible. The same goes if your pet is having trouble breathing or has sudden changes in appetite or bathroom habits. Contact Hamilton Road Animal Hospital at (614) 239-0027 to seek veterinary care; we serve the areas of Columbus, Whitehall, Bexley, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, Pickerington, Groveport, and wish you and your pets a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season.
How will you keep your pets away from food scraps this holiday season?