Be Careful with Treats this Christmas!
One of Britain's leading animal charities has warned against giving animals common Christmas foods that unsuspecting owners believe constitutes just another treat but fail to realise can be potentially harmful or even fatal to animals.
PDSA has revealed that 54% of owners admit to feeding their dog leftovers or table scraps on a regular basis or as a staple of their diet. Unfortunately, food does not have constant effects across species. A turkey dinner of the appropriate size to feed one human would have the equivalent consequences of eating three of the same meal at once for a dog. Given the rising rates of obesity in Britain's pets, this should be avoided and more a moderate balanced diet should be adhered to instead.
Similarly, some foodstuffs can be toxic to animals. Chocolate, for example, is famously hazardous for dogs. Symptoms of overindulgence include vomiting, drooling, diarrhoea, shaking and difficulty breathing, and the death of the animal is not unprecedented. Furthermore, the accidental or deliberate consumption of bones, such as those found in a turkey carcass, can often lead to injury and death.
Elaine Pendlebury, Senior Veterinary Surgeon for the PDSA, warns: “Raisins, sultanas and onions are all toxic to cats and dogs, and sometimes can cause severe illness. Foods containing these items, such as stuffing, mince pies, Christmas cake and pudding, should never be given to pets. Owners should also remember not to feed their pets bones and to dispose of leftover food carefully.”
In light of this, the PDSA is recommending that owners think of their pet's health this Christmas and stick to healthy treats instead. Further advice can be found here.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
