The holiday season is here and that means you'll be filling up your kitchen with plenty of delicious food. With all of these wonderful smells, your dog will undoubtedly come to investigate and beg for some of your leftovers. While you may be tempted, understand that many of these foods are harmful to their body and could result in an emergency trip to their veterinarian. Here are just of few of the unsafe foods not meant for your companion.

Which Holiday Foods Aren’t Safe for Your Dog?

1. Green Bean Casserole

While your human taste buds love the crispy, fried onions that are baked on top of the beans and cream of mushroom, this is one of the more toxic ingredients for dogs. Onions, and other members of the Allium plant family, including garlic, leeks, and chives, cause severe gastrointestinal problems for canines. This can lead to abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea in the days after they eat the vegetable. The results can sometimes be potentially fatal if they end up eating too much.

2. Eggnog

If you plan on celebrating with eggnog, veterinarians advise that you should be careful about keeping your glasses away from all of the pets in your home. As this beverage often contains some form of alcohol, it can quickly disrupt your dog’s digestive system and cause vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and a drop in body temperature. 

In addition, too much milk will also cause an upset stomach, and the natural sugars in the milk or cream can lead to pancreatitis. Nutmeg is also highly toxic to canines and can cause symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to increased heart rate, dehydration, and seizures. 

3. Gingerbread

Gingerbread men, houses, cakes, and other treats use unique combinations of seasonings. Although your dog may be drawn to the smell, veterinarians don’t recommend sharing with them. Gingerbread contains a host of ingredients, including ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sugar, that at best will only produce mild allergy symptoms. At worst, they are incredibly toxic and will make your dog sick for several days, if not cause permanent damage. 

If you want to celebrate with your dog this holiday season, be sure to consult with Alexandria Pike Animal Hospital before feeding them anything you are unsure about. For 64 years, this full-service pet hospital has provided the finest veterinary care in Southgate, KY. They provide regular wellness services in addition to routine medical, surgical, and dental care. Call (859) 781-1800 to schedule an appointment with their veterinarian and visit their website for more information about their services.