Are you ready for Christmas?

If you're planning on celebrating with chocolate, your dog might not be.

Chocolate is a delicious treat for humans, but it can be extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of chocolate can make a dog sick, and eating just one ounce can cause seizures and even death.

We all know that chocolate is bad for dogs—but did you know that raisins are toxic too? In fact, there are several other common holiday treats that are dangerous to dogs:

 

Cake

Cake is hazardous for your pets. While a nice big fluffy cake can be tempting for animals, the flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, can be toxic to dogs in large quantities. 

 

So if you have pets at home or know someone who does, please make sure that they don't eat anything that isn't meant for them!

 

Candy Canes

Candy canes are a yummy treat for humans, but they're not safe for our pets.

The problem is that candy canes contain xylitol, which is a sweetener used in many products that's toxic to dogs. If your pet eats just one candy cane, they could suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and a drop in blood sugar levels. They might even get liver failure! So it's a no-no to give your dog any candy canes.

 

Turkey Bones

We all love our pets, and we want to do everything we can to keep them safe. But did you know that turkey bones are hazardous for your dogs?

Turkey bones are brittle, and dogs' mouths are very sensitive. When your dog chews a turkey bone, it's likely that the bone will break off into small pieces that can easily lodge in its throat or digestive system.

Grapes

Grapes are a delicious treat--but they're not so good for your pets. That's because grapes are toxic to dogs and cats. The precise reason why grapes are bad for them is because of the tartaric acid contained in the fruit. It can cause severe kidney failure and even death. The key is to keep your dog away from grapes at all times--no matter how cute he looks when he begs for them!

 

Need Help?

Your pet is your family, and you want to do everything you can to help them navigate the world. But when it comes to the kind of danger that requires a vet's assistance, sometimes the best thing for your pet is to let a professional handle it. At Ortega Animal Care Center, we are prepared to handle any kind of emergency that your pet may experience.

Call us at  (949) 487-7600 if you are concerned about something your pet ingested.