At this
time of year, veterinarians are especially concerned
about what their patients may be eating.
You'll
see our warnings about feeding repeatedly because
around this time of year, every year, we see pets
brought in with very preventable illnesses caused by
improper feeding or a lack of proper safeguards for
the garbage can.
The
arrival of the holiday season will mean an increase in
the number of pets visiting veterinarians for upset
digestive systems due to consuming "human
food" items. There are numerous tempting dangers
for dogs and cats at this time of year.
Thanksgiving
and Christmas are typically times of holiday feasts in
our homes, and can be a source of tempting handouts or
plates of leftovers for pets. Feeding dogs and cats
foods that they are not accustomed to can cause a
number of problems, from simple vomiting, diarrhea, or
constipation, to intestinal obstruction or perforation
or pancreatitis. The most serious offenders are fatty
handouts such as meat trimmings, bones, and spicy
dishes. We also seem to see many dogs that develop GI
problems after eating tomato-based foods.
A
couple of years ago, our hospital had a dog brought in
a few days after Thanksgiving that had a severe case
of pancreatitis caused by leftover ham. This dog was
seriously ill and suffered a great deal over the next
few days, though it eventually recovered.
Pet
owners need to resist the urge to give their pets
leftovers or "people food" as treats, and
also be sure trash is secure, so that pets don't get
into the garbage for tempting things they can smell.
The garbage can adds a couple of new risks to the
picture in the form of bacteria that may proliferate
on unrefrigerated food, and food wrappings such as
aluminum foil that pets may ingest from the trash.
Even leaving a plate or food item out on a counter top
or table can inspire some pets to unbelievable
athletic feats, jumping or climbing up to a location
their owners thought the pet could never get to. Place
all leftovers away securely.
One
statement I've heard about feeding leftovers time and
again that never ceases to amaze me is some variation
of "I smelled it and it smelled bad, so I fed it
to my dog." If you wouldn't eat it, by no means
should you feed it to your pet.
The
safest rule is never give your pets human food items.
It's natural to want to share with our companions
during the holidays, but this can lead to unnecessary
suffering, not to mention sizeable health care bills.
Purchase healthy treats made especially for dogs and
cats, and give your pet a modest treat (not a handful)
when you are enjoying your holiday delicacies.
It's a
type of "tough love," but you and your pets
will be happier and healthier by being careful with
holiday foods. Your pet's doctor hopes not to have to
treat one upset tummy from "people food"
this year.
___
(Dr.
Greg McGrath is a veterinarian at Cedar Lake Pet
Hospital in Biloxi, Miss. Questions for this column
are encouraged. Write to South Mississippi Veterinary
Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road, Long Beach
MS 39560 and include a self-addressed stamped
envelope.)