Dog expert shares 8 Christmas foods that are toxic for pups to eat

A canine trainer has advised pet owners to exercise heightened caution when consuming seasonal treats, warning that numerous festive foods pose serious risks to dogs.

With the holiday period approaching, many families will begin enjoying special meals and delicacies they wouldn’t typically consume throughout the year. This makes it crucial for pet owners to understand which foods are safe for their furry companions and which require extra vigilance to prevent potentially dangerous consumption that could result in an emergency veterinary visit.

To help dog owners, one experienced trainer has compiled a list of eight common Christmas foods that must be kept well away from pets.

Paul Haylock, from Paul Haylock Dog training in Benfleet, Essex, has taken to TikTok to share his essential list of eight foods that all dog owners must keep from their pets, warning that exposure could result in fatal consequences.

“Did you know these foods are extremely toxic to dog?” they wrote on the video before jumping in to share his list.

Chocolate

“The first one is pretty obvious, most of us are aware that chocolate is toxic to our dogs, and it’s a chemical called theobromine, and it will cause sickness and diarrhoea,” Paul explained.

This is processed too slowly by a dog’s system, leading to a build-up that can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhoea to seizures and even death in severe cases.

The darker varieties pose greater threats due to elevated theobromine concentrations, with cocoa powder and baking chocolate presenting the highest toxicity levels.

Mince pies

“Number two is mince pies,” he disclosed next. “And that is the sultanas and raisins that are extremely toxic in small amounts, and will cause kidney failure.”

Raisins, grapes, sultanas, and currants can trigger acute kidney failure and even prove fatal in dogs. Even a tiny quantity can create severe complications for them.

Beyond the poisonous raisins, mince pies may be packed with fat and sugar, which can upset dogs’ stomachs. Additional ingredients, such as chocolate or the sugar substitute xylitol, present in some mince pies, are also extremely dangerous to dogs. Should your dog consume a mince pie, you must contact your vet straight away for guidance, even if they appear well, according to Vets Now.

Blue cheese and grapes.

Whilst many might relish tucking into a cheese board at Christmas, Paul continued to disclose that there are particular items on a cheese board you must be wary of if you own a dog.

“From your cheese board, we’ve got blue cheese and grapes,” Paul disclosed.

Just as with mince pies, grapes are extremely poisonous to dogs, even in tiny quantities, and can trigger acute kidney failure and even prove fatal if consumed.

The precise toxic compound remains unknown, but research indicates it could be tartaric acid.

Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and excessive thirst.

Meanwhile, blue cheese harbours a fungus that can generate a toxin called roquefortine C, which proves harmful to dogs and can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, and seizures.

Xylitol

Next, Paul advised dog owners to be wary of xylitol, a sweetener commonly found in confectionery, and stressed the importance of keeping such treats well out of reach.

Xylitol poses severe risks to dogs as it triggers a rapid and dangerous plunge in blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) and may result in liver failure. Even tiny quantities of xylitol can prove fatal, particularly for smaller breeds.

Warning signs such as vomiting, lethargy, and seizures may manifest within 30 minutes, and should you suspect your dog has consumed xylitol, seek veterinary assistance without delay.

Avocado

“And we’ve also got avocado, that is another one that’s extremely toxic to your dogs” he said.

Every part of the avocado, from the skin and flesh to the stone, contains a fungicidal compound known as persin, which proves poisonous to dogs and other creatures. Whilst dogs show greater tolerance to persin than other species, it may still trigger vomiting and diarrhoea.

Furthermore, the elevated fat levels can prompt digestive distress or severe pancreatitis, whilst the stone presents a choking or blockage risk.

Garlic and onion

“And the last one to focus on is garlic and onions, either cooked or raw,” he said. “So, thinking about stuffing, things like that, again, extremely toxic to your dogs.”

According to PDSA, onions, garlic, and leeks are poisonous to dogs, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and potentially anaemia.

Symptoms can begin within 24 hours of consumption but typically take a few days to manifest.

“So, just be mindful this Christmas when you’re tucking into these things, we don’t want your dogs getting hold of them,” he cautioned viewers.