Those holiday sneaky scraps to your pup can cause long-term issues for your four-legged friend.
That according to Cumberland County Animal Safety’s Ellen Rosenfeldt. She said said Multiple Meal Syndrome occurs when animals are receiving too many meals over a period of time. Rosenfeldt said it occurs more frequently during the holiday season as families father around dining tables and eat large meals, as they are more likely to slip the family pet a slice of ham or turkey. This can lead to pancreatitis later down the line.
“Fatty foods is very bad for any dog,” Rosenfeldt said. “A lot of people let scraps off the table, such as bones, and, you know, splinter bones, in other words ribs, chicken bones. Things like that can cause internal injury.”
Rosenfeldt said guests will begin to feed dogs fatty foods like turkey, then the dog will begin showing symptoms, like diarrhea, vomiting, and belching.
“A chronic pancreatitis would require special prescription medication and possibly other medication for life,” Rosenfeldt said.
Rosenfeldt said other foods are toxic to dogs, which can lead to death. That includes garlic, macadamia nuts, chocolate, grapes, onions, raisin, alcohol, peanut butter, jellies. Rosenfeldt said chocolate is the largest concern.
Rosenfeldt said owners can prevent sneak feeding by assigning a family member to the animal, putting the animals in a safe and secure area while everyone in the family is eating.
“Of course, they don’t like, they have a house full of people,” Rosenfeldt said “They certainly don’t like being cooped up, but it certainly saves a lot of headaches.”
Rosenfeldt said families should animal safety first, as animal safety is family safety.
“Nobody wants that $600, $1,000, $2,000 vet bill, or to watch the pet that you love that is a family member in most homes and you don’t want to see that physiological trauma with children as well,” Rosenfeldt said.
Many common seasonal plants can be toxic to dogs like poinsettias, mistletoe and holly.