Holiday Foods and Pancreatitis

With the upcoming holidays and the festive meal season approaching, it is important to realize what foods are unsafe for your furry friends. Although giving your dog/cat a bite of your Thanksgiving dinner may seem harmless, many foods are not ideal for pet consumption and may cause harmful symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and toxicity. During the holidays, veterinary hospitals typically see increases in gastrointestinal cases revolving around dietary indiscretion such as pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, organ toxicity and even foreign bodies obstructing the gastrointestinal tract. Below is a chart referenced from Schwarzman Animal Medical Center regarding common holiday foods and their safety for your pets.

If your furry friend does accidentally get into the family turkey or grilled corn cobs, you will need to monitor them closely for signs of gastrointestinal upset including lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea or lack of appetite. These are all abnormal symptoms that may necessitate a doctor exam and basic diagnostics including bloodwork and abdominal imaging (x-rays or ultrasound) to evaluate their health for recommendations regarding further therapy.

Many foods listed on the NOT SAFE column above are toxic and may cause organ dysfunction or failure including: grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, walnuts, chocolate, alcohol or xylitol. If your pet ingests any of the lists above, seek veterinary care immediately in the event that emesis (making your pet vomit) is warranted to prevent absorption of toxins. If the ingestion occurs after business hours or your usual day vet hospital is booked, an emergency hospital visit is recommended.