Vets issue health warning over festive treats and table scraps

PET owners are being urged to think of their companion’s health before dishing out festive treats or scraps of food from the Christmas dinner table.

Shelves across supermarkets and pet stores are already stacked with advent calendars, rawhide candy canes and ‘turkey dinner’ biscuits for cats and dogs.

Whilst these may look fun and festive, Paws and Co Veterinary Centre, in Yorkshire, is warning that many of these Christmas products could be doing pets more harm than good.

Stefanos Kalli, veterinary surgeon at Paws and Co Veterinary Centre, said: “We always see a noticeable change in the types of pet products hitting the shelves in the run-up to Christmas

“Over the years, there’s been a big increase in festive-themed treats, novelty chews and brightly packaged snacks, but many of them are high in fat, packed with additives or made from ingredients that aren’t safe or suitable for pets.

“Unfortunately, it’s not always easy for owners to spot what’s harmful - especially when the products are sold in mainstream supermarkets or online.”

Every December, pet treat aisles fill up with themed chews, biscuits and brightly coloured snacks. But beneath the festive packaging, many contain ingredients that can upset digestion or even cause harm.

Christmas pet products are often made for novelty value, not nutrition. Rawhide chews, shaped like candy canes, are chemically treated and difficult to digest, while snacks high in fat, sugar and salt that can lead to upset stomachs for pets or pancreatitis. Even treats labelled ‘natural’ or ‘Christmas dinner flavoured’ can contain additives that aren’t ideal for pets.

Festive colours, gift packaging and even scents that appeal to owners are all used to market products but what looks good under the tree is not always good for a pet’s stomach.

However, it is not just the products on sale that cause problems. Every Christmas, there is a risk of pets becoming ill after eating festive foods shared from the dinner table.

From turkey carcasses, Christmas pudding and mince pies to chocolate, there are so many tempting smells around the house at this time of year.

However, a lot of these foods are too rich or contain toxic ingredients to pets like onions, garlic, raisins or alcohol. Even a small piece can make a pet very unwell and result in a Boxing Day visit to the vets.

Even small quantities of rich food can overwhelm a pet’s digestive system.

Instead, the advice from vets is to choose treats that are simple, natural and vet approved.

Many novelty chews, especially those made from rawhide, are not only hard to digest but can cause serious internal issues if swallowed in large pieces.

Pet owners should instead look for single-ingredient chews or trusted brands that prioritise quality over seasonal gimmicks.

Products high in fat, salt or sugar might smell tempting to pets but they can upset their stomach or trigger more serious conditions such as pancreatitis, especially if given alongside extra under the table treats.

Just one pig in blanket can contain as much fat as more than one full chicken breast - more than a whole meal’s worth of fat for many small dogs.

One of the biggest challenges is managing the well-meaning intentions of family and friends.

Many pet owners find that guests want to offer scraps but even small amounts of stuffing, gravy or dessert can be dangerous if they contain onions, raisins, chocolate or alcohol.