Treat your dog for life – not just for Christmas
Everyone likes a little treat every now and then - and
especially now that Christmas is coming. But although it's
tempting to give your dog scraps from the table, many popular
yuletide treats can actually be dangerous for his health.
Whilst just one leftover slice of turkey may not seem
excessive, for a dog this could actually be equivalent to a
human eating seven slices!
Treat or not to treat?
Some dogs are very good at begging for food and acting like
they've not been fed for days! But all they often want is just
your attention, not a portion of your festive dish. So try to
play or go for a walk with your dog rather than sharing your
meal. Feeding your dog table scraps not only encourages bad
habits - and having your dog on the table, especially when
you've got visitors can be very off-putting, but feeding human
foods in general can have an adverse effect on your dog's
health. So don't be afraid to ask well-meaning guests not to
feed from the table or to give your dog the wrong kind of
treats.
Watch out for chocolate!
Allowing your dog eat some human treats can upset his
digestive system. The best example is chocolate which is by far
the most common foodstuff to cause toxic effects in dogs. The
Veterinary Poisons Information Service receives hundreds of
calls about chocolate poisoning every year. It is very
difficult to determine exactly how much chocolate needs to be
eaten by a dog before problems develop, as it depends on the
type of chocolate. Good quality chocolate that is high in cocoa
solids tends to be the most dangerous to dogs and unsweetened
baking chocolate and indeed cocoa powder is also more toxic to
dogs than normal milk chocolate. The toxic component in
chocolate is theobromine. As theobromine is metabolised slowly,
it may be that giving small doses over several days could be as
harmful as giving a lot of chocolate all at once.
However, there are other treats that are highly dangerous
for dogs' digestion, for example, onions, garlic and certain
root vegetables contain substances that can be toxic for dogs
and may cause a form of anaemia. And remember, it's not just
the raw form of these vegetables you should avoid feeding your
dog, because the gravy or sauces that cover a meal may also
contain these ingredients. Plus you should watch out for some
other treats harmful to dogs' digestion, like grapes and
raisins.
The right nutrition in the right amount
Although we are often guilty of over-indulging on rich foods
throughout the festive period, our pets should not follow.
Overfeeding your dog or treating him with unhealthy snacks over
Christmas will make him pile on extra pounds which can result
in developing an increased risk of a serious health condition
like diabetes, arthritis or heart problems.
Plus, with so many people around the house, Christmas can
actually be quite stressful for dogs. To minimize disruption,
stick to his routines as well his precisely balanced nutrition
like Hill's™ Science Plan™ . A
Hill's Science Plan kibble is just as much of a treat, and much
better for him. You can also reward your dog by varying the
food you feed, combining wet and dry food and changing the
flavour from time to time. However, do keep to the recommended
daily amounts. The Hill's Science Plan range has delicious
tasting varieties that are specifically tailored to the
individual needs of your dog. And if he doesn't love it, then
we'll give you your money back - guaranteed!
So think before you treat. You might allow yourself a mince
pie, but don't pass one down to your dog - this will use up
over a quarter of his recommended daily calorie intake!