much we eat is toxic to dogs

FRAME — Don’t let Fido’s puppy eyes or Mittens’ pleading meows sway you. Instead, resist the temptation to give them treats from the holiday table.

As Thanksgiving and other food-centered holidays approach, an area veterinarian is warning pet owners to watch what foods are passed to their four-legged friends.

“The day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas, we get a lot more people because their pets got something they weren’t supposed to get,” said Gail Schmieder, medical director of the veterinary hospital. Slade in Framingham. “Having strange food and people feeding their pets at the table is a recipe for disaster.”

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Although Schmieder said her advice is aimed at both dogs and cats, she said she talks more about dogs because they are more likely to accept the food offered to them.

“Cats are a little more demanding,” she says. “They are much less likely to accept whatever is offered to them than a dog.”

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Many foods, she says, are toxic to dogs. Chocolate is well known, but other foods can also be dangerous, such as foods containing artificial sweeteners, onions and garlic.

“Raisins,” Schmieder said. “Raisins and products containing raisins are absolutely toxic to dogs and should never be given to them.”

People also need to watch their alcohol intake, Schmieder said. If someone puts an adult beverage within reach of a dog, they are likely to try to drink it because it is gentle for them. But like in humans, alcohol can cause many health problems in pets, she said.

Eggnog is also a bad idea because of the amount of fat it contains, Schmieder said. And stuffing should be avoided because it is often filled with ingredients that can send dogs to the vet.

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Not all foods are bad. Many vegetables, like sweet potatoes, can be shared with a hungry puppy, as long as they are plain and given in moderation, Schmieder said.

White meat turkey, provided the skin is removed, makes a treat for a dog or cat.

“From my perspective, I would recommend not giving anything, other than maybe giving them defatted turkey with their regular meal,” Schmieder said. “It’s something that probably won’t do any harm.”

Schmieder said if an animal eats something it shouldn’t, people can and should call the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Thanksgiving Foods You Should Avoid Giving Your Cats and Dogs