For us, the end of the year celebrations are synonymous with gifts, festivities, but also reunions around big meals punctuated by some, not to say many, dietary deviations! It must be said that festive food lends itself well to this: chocolate, foie gras, logs, smoked salmon, chestnuts…
If it is customary to eat well in order to celebrate the year that is about to end with dignity and to welcome with open arms the new one that is being offered to us, are food deviations also allowed for our animals?
First of all, the same advice as for the rest of the year, it is absolutely not recommended to give your dog or cat its table scraps, as much for the possible harmful components they contain, as for the risk of bad digestion. And among the Christmas must-haves, some are much more dangerous than others.
1/ Chocolate and Christmas log
Dark, milk or white, chocolate should be banned from your pet’s diet. Cocoa contains theobromine, a chemical compound that is very toxic for his body. Even given in minute quantities, the risk to his health can be significant. As for the log, it is not advised to give it to your pet because of its high sugar content, and if it is made of chocolate, even more so!
2/ Foie gras and smoked salmon
Food often present on our tables during a great occasion, foie gras and smoked salmon are festive foods that we love… and our pets too! But, as their names suggest, they are far too salty and fatty for them!
3/ Meat and poultry
Even if dogs and cats are carnivores, you still have to pay special attention to Christmas meats and poultry. If you want to please your pet with a little piece of meat, no skin, no dish with sauce, marinated or spicy and, above all, be careful with the presence of bones, which, once cooked, can be very brittle and cause choking, obstruction or intestinal perforation.
4/ Champagne
Even if the occasion and the atmosphere of joy are appropriate, it is inconceivable to drink champagne or any other alcoholic beverage with your pet. With water, yes, but never with alcohol!
In conclusion, even if we tend to relax during the holiday season, we should not forget our faithful companions and pay attention to the food dangers that Christmas can represent for them.
However, we should not go overboard and deprive them of everything, because they can also be part of the party! If you want to please them safely, prefer neutral foods, for example, a shelled shrimp or a small piece of chicken breast or turkey with a little green beans, carrot or cooked potato, but be careful, all in reasonable quantities!
