Warning - FOODS DANGEROUS TO DOGS

[Vallhala]

A bit twee but a serious message, telling us of the human-friendly foods which we must not give to our dogs. One thing not mentioned but a worthy reminder, especially at this time of year, is not to give your dog cooked bones either.

Whoops!

Didn't know about avocadoes, not that we often have them.

Cats shouldn't be given onion either.

And, at this time of year: don't give your dog a lot of turkey skin. It won't kill him but he's very likely to be sick all over the carpet!

The Veterinary Poisons Information Bureau is a very useful site. See link here www.vpisuk.co.uk/portal/CommonPoisons/tabid/119/Default.aspx for the list of most common ones for dogs and cats in the UK. Of particular interest is the high place for chocolate and raisins, antifreeze and batteries. It is a sobering reminder of the need to be aware of the dangers particularly at this time of the year when many people will have extra chocolate, Christmas cake or mince pies in the house.

Isn't it the case with chocolate that it's the cocoa butter that is poisonous? Cheap chocolate ŵith low levels won't kill your dog whereas poncey high cocoa solids/butter stuff can. Not that it is advisable to feed your dog any of it, but if it's cheap then maybe don't panic.

I remember my chidhood spaniel snarfing my Christmas box of maltesers in the middle of the night [happy memories]

I was surprised about onions actually... The same childhood spaniel used to love Chinese takeaway

Soup - I remember when I first heard about chocolate being dangerous for dogs. It was about 2yrs after our 16yr old dog had died.

Every single Christmas she had gone racing to the sound of my dad opening his "FAmous Names" and used to eat the ones he didn't like !

didn't know the grapes and raisins one. I always used to give my dog the raisins from muesli because I hate them (she loved them). She loved grapes too.

Yes, Sam used to get all the gooseberry creams from the Quality Street tin. I guess it was cheap chocolate and he never really had much of it. my parents wewre horrified when I told them recently it was poisonous, along with onions. He died nearly 30 years ago.

My lovely old collie used to enjoy scoffing all the chocolate tree decorations - I think he thought we put them up especially for him. Every year we'd be left with 12 or so tiny scraps of foil hanging by festive threads.

He once misjudged a leap and sent a 6 foot high tree crashing into the TV though.

Its the good chocolate that will make them ill, not the odd bit of choccy biccy.

I think the thing with grapes/raisins etc is that most of them are fine but occasionally they harbour a type of fungus which is harmless to people but deadly to dogs - so if a grape falls on the floor and gets snaffled it'll probably be fine but you just don't want to take chances.

The onions I think can cause anaemia. I'd guess it depends on how much they get and how frequently.