Festive foods could turn furry friends’ Christmas from happy to hazardous, experts warn

• 78% of dog owners and 68% of cat owners admit to giving their pets regular treats
• Over 70% of UK pet owners struggle with pets’ portion sizes and knowing how much to feed their pets
• A third (32%) of veterinary practices Admiral surveyed have seen an increase in pet obesity over the last year
• This Christmas don’t fall foul of treats, as food like chocolate, turkey skin, mince pies and macadamia nuts can be toxic for pets—yet are commonly fed during festive meals
• Veterinary Specialist, Nicki Fox RVN CertVNECC APVN, from Admiral Pet Insurance, shares advice on what a good Christmas dinner looks like for your furry friend - and foods to avoid this festive season

As bells start jingling and tables fill with festive feasts, Admiral Pet Insurance is advising pet owners to be careful about what treats they feed their furry friends’ this season. With a sleigh-load of extra food around, some of our holiday favourites could be a naughty and definitely not a nice surprise for our dogs and cats. 

A new survey from Admiral Pet Insurance reveals that obesity among cats and dogs is on the rise: 71% of dog owners and 78% of cat owners admit they either don’t weigh food accurately, don’t stick to recommended portions, or are unaware of the correct amount to feed their pet. In addition to oversized meals, 78% of dog owners and 68% of cat owners offer treats daily or several times a week, further adding to calorie intake. With pet treats typically ranging from 30 to 180 calories each, this can quickly lead to weight gain and health problems.

A sample of veterinary practices surveyed revealed a third (32%) have seen an increase in overweight pets over the past year citing oversized portions, frequent treats, and human food scraps as primary contributors. With treats and festive meals aplenty, pet owners need to be extra careful about what makes its way into their pets' bowls.

Over half of dog owners (53%) and over a third of cat owners (36%) admit to giving their pets food scraps daily or a few times a week, sometimes unaware that some human foods, such as chocolate, grapes and raisins, nuts and onions can be dangerous for pets. 

Chocolate is not the only food that could be harmful to your pets this Christmas. Before giving your Christmas dinner leftovers to your pets, Admiral is encouraging pet owners to consider which foods are right for their pet, and which may be harmful. To support pet parents, Admiral’s Veterinary Specialist Nicki Fox RVN CertVNECC APVN, has revealed which foods to avoid:

• Mince pies and Christmas pudding   These contain nuts and raisins which are toxic to our pets 
• Christmas cake – Can also contain raisins and dried fruit, and marzipan which can cause an upset stomach
• Stuffing, gravy and bread sauce: Contain onions, garlic and chives - which are key ingredients in many festive meals. It’s important to ensure your leftovers are safely stowed away from your furry friends. 
• Nuts: Various types of nuts can be harmful, but Macadamia nuts are especially dangerous for dogs and cats. 
• Cheese, cream, and milk: With many pets being unable to break down lactose, consuming dairy could lead to intestinal discomfort and diarrhoea. 
• Cooked bones: Contrary to the nursery rhyme, don’t give a dog a cooked bone from your Christmas roast as they can be a choking hazard. They can splinter, injuring the mouth or perforating the intestinal tract.
• Chocolate: Contains a substance called theobromine, which is highly toxic to dogs and cats. If enough chocolate is ingested, it can be fatal

Nicki Fox RVN CertVNECC APVN, Admiral’s Veterinary Specialist, said: “Christmas can be a busy time and it’s easy to be distracted with visitors in our homes. This can mean that pets are more likely to overindulge in table scraps and non-pet foods, given by owners or well-meaning houseguests. Some of which can be dangerous for dogs and cats. 

“In clinic, we see a rise in pancreatitis and gastrointestinal cases as owners feed their pets fatty foods such as goose fat roast potatoes, turkey skin and pigs-in-blankets. But our pets can enjoy a healthy and tasty Christmas dinner too, by avoiding food full of grease and seasoning. I suggest serving them certain veg – such as carrots, swede, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts – and boneless, skinless turkey breast. Make sure all the bones are completely removed from the turkey by shredding it, and only give pets the white meat, as the darker meat tends to be higher in fat. You could also add a side of unseasoned, boiled or mashed potato. 

“It’s so important to consider how we cook our ingredients if we’re sharing them with our pets. Sauces and gravy are likely to contain foods such as onions and garlic which are toxic to dogs. Remember, a Christmas dinner will replace one of their meals, so don’t feed them again or you risk overfeeding and significantly increasing their calorie intake which could make them poorly. Portion size will depend on the size of your pet. 

“Maintaining a healthy weight for pets starts with understanding the importance of portion control and calorie management. This can be achieved by following the recommended guidelines on food packaging3 measuring food portions and adjusting for treats. This can help reduce and, in some cases, even help prevent obesity-related health issues like joint problems and diabetes.”

For more information, please visit www.admiral.com/overweightpets