All the foods that could be fatal for your dog as pet owners issued Christmas warning

Dog owners have been issued with a stern warning by an expert who listed the surprising foods your dog shouldn't eat, even though they're Christmas staples

Christmas is a dangerous time for pooches, with the vast array of festive table treats often fatal if consumed by dogs.

Although many people look forward to the festive period most of all because of the food, it isn’t the same for our furry friends. And while Brits tuck into their roast turkey dinners, it’s important to remember not every Christmas morsel is intended for our dogs. Head vet at Tails.com, Sean McCormack, compiled a list of festive dishes you shouldn’t give to your hound, no matter how hard they hit you with those puppy dog eyes.

Chocolate is highly toxic for dogs because they’re physically incapable of metabolising it, and can increase heart rate massively.

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“Suppose your dog eats even a small amount of chocolate," said McCormack. “You should arrange an immediate appointment with your veterinarian, and in the meantime, monitor their behaviour very closely for any symptoms or sickness.”

McCormack added mince pies could also pose a risk, because of the amount of dried fruits in them - things that could lead to “severe kidney failure” in your pet. It’s the same story for Christmas puddings too, which are also often laden with alcohol making them even more harmful.

McCormack also warned dog owners to watch out for the animals sniffing around any forgotten scraps. "We know that our pups love to sniff out forgotten scraps days after Christmas has passed,” he said. “But when food gets left for too long it can become a breeding ground for mould and bacteria, with bread, meat and dairy products being particularly susceptible.”

The skin and bones of the Christmas bird - be that turkey or chicken - can also be harmful.

“Turkey skin is far too fatty for your pooch, and eating greasy foods like this can lead to pancreatic issues and obesity, especially in smaller dogs,” said McCormack. “Not only that, but meat bones are a potential choking hazard for your dog and can cause internal damage to their organs, as they are too hard to digest properly.”

The allium plant family - which includes onions, garlic and leeks - are all poisonous to dogs. “Foods like onions and garlic contain a chemical compound called thiosulfate which can be toxic for dogs as it causes damage to their red blood cells,” said McCormack.

Lastly, although nuts are a festive treat they can be extremely bad for your pet too. Even a tiny amount can cause extreme diarrhoea, vomiting and weakness in their hind legs, according to McCormack.