It's the holidays, and what does that mean? Well, in many cases, it means family, fun, friends, parties ... and food. Lots of food. It all revolves around the food. Trust me, I know how it goes, and I love food just as much as all of you! But we have to remember to be safe when it comes to our dogs. With all these people around, there's bound to be food left here and there; very easy for your dog to snatch. There will also be plenty of begging for table scraps as well, and unless you're stone cold, I'm sure they'll end up with a few goodies. And let's get real ... even if you never give your dog scraps, there will probably be some house guests who will sneak them a treat or two, not to mention plates of random food left in easily accessible places. So, let's take a look at the main holiday type foods that you should avoid giving to your furry friends this season.

Some holiday foods and scraps that come to mind for me, are different types of bones, certain types of herbs, veggies, and fruits, baking items, like nuts and chocolate, and different kinds of dairy products. First, let's talk about some items you probably have already heard are bad for dogs. Onions! If you're like me, I put onion (and garlic) in a lot of my different dishes, especially around the holidays. These two items contain thiosulphate, which causes red blood cells to burst in dogs (and cats). This can lead to hemolytic anemia. Onions present the highest risk of toxicity. Symptoms include shortness of breath, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. How about chocolate? NOPE! As you've probably all already heard, chocolate is horrible for dogs. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which are both toxic to cats and dogs. Lastly, you've probably heard that grapes and raisins are bad. Well, you heard right! The toxin in them remains unidentified, but these seemingly harmless balls of sweetness are known to cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. I can attest to this, as my friend lost her puppy because he got into an open bag of raisins. I won't even keep them in my house. Better safe than sorry.

Now for some items that you may not think are harmful, but definitely are. In my last blog, I went into detail about all the different types of bones there are, so I won't elaborate too much here. Maybe you're thinking, 'dogs eat bones. I'll give them my turkey bones.' Well think again! Just know that all cooked bones should never be given to dogs. They become brittle and could possibly splinter and puncture their stomach or intestines. Turkey skin is also a no-no; super high in fat and difficult for pets to digest. Please avoid giving your dog nuts, especially macadamia nuts and pistachios. They are very rich in fat and can cause pancreatitis. Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are also hard for them to digest. Stick with something different for them to snack on. This probably sounds crazy, but don't let your furry friends consume raw dough. Their stomachs are the perfect environment for bread to rise, which could cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and/or bloating. Make sure the dough is cooked beforehand. A couple other items to watch out for ... nutmeg and milk. Nutmeg actually has mild hallucinogenic properties and is known to cause seizures, tremors, and central nervous system problems. Milk can cause diarrhea or other digestive problems and can lead to dehydration, so don't overdue the dairy. Lastly ... and this seems like common sense to me ... for the love of Dog, don't give your pets alcohol. It's far more toxic to pets than it is to people. They're already smaller than us as it is. Keep your mind altering egg nog up on the counter and away from your four-legged friends.

It's not hard to keep your pets safe during the holidays, but with all the hustle and bustle of things, it's also easier to drop the ball and leave certain items within their reach that they shouldn't have. Just be mindful (and let your friends and family know to be as well) that they're not invincible and react differently than we humans do when it comes to food. Set the ground rules ahead of time involving table scraps and keep a close watch on all the unattended plates, especially when kids are around. Big holiday gatherings are definitely fun, but let's make sure they're safe too!

Oh ... one more thing. If you do want to give your pets some special holiday treats, here are a few ideas that should be fine for them (found on billingsanimalfamilyhospital.com)...

- Pumpkin

- Green Beans

- Peas

- Carrots

- Apples (never the core or seeds)

- Spinach

- Winter Squash

- Corn (no cobs, as they can cause intestinal blockage)

- Melon

- Berries

- Bananas

In smaller amounts...

- Plain Yogurt

- Cooked Egg

- Peanut Butter (Xylitol-free only)

- Low-fat Cheese

- Salmon

Lastly ... Turkey is okay for dogs as a special treat too. Just make sure it's in moderation, and that it's plain, white meat turkey with no bones.

You got this!