If Christmas and New Year are moments of sharing, it is better to refrain from giving Médor or Félix a taste of the festive meal. A recent survey of Belgian owners shows that 17% of cat owners and 24% of dog owners often share leftover food. “You must stick to the usual meal specific for animals such as snacks specially designed for them.insists Fanny Ortans, general veterinarian at AniCura in Liège.
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Allowing pets to clean the turkey carcass is not without risk. As with chicken, very fragile bones can become sharp when broken and get stuck in the throat. “Very few people know that fresh or dried grapes, garlic and onions can lead to serious health problems, such as gastrointestinal disorders, pancreatitis, kidney failure, and even poisoning. We must not forget that a cat or a dog is small compared to an adult.adds Fanny Ortans. Nuts like walnuts and hazelnuts can cause indigestion in these little hairy beings.
Fir, whether natural or artificial, is indigestible for the animal. “A dog drank water from the Christmas tree in which there was resin and vomited all night. The plastic thorns can create an intestinal obstruction,” continues the veterinarian. “The tree should not be left unattended. A curious cat can climb in, make it fall and if the balls break, the debris will cut the animal’s paws. If he chews on the light strings, he risks getting electrocuted.”
Final recommendations: Keep toxic plants like poinsettias, holly and mistletoe out of your pet’s reach so they can’t eat them.
