The holidays are ramping up into full swing. There are lots of things to love about this time of year: the decorations, the special traditions, and, of course, the food. Our canine companions are just as interested in those mouth-watering meals as we are. Fido also deserves something special and yummy. Just be sure to stick with safe options. A local Vinton, VA vet offers more insight on that below.

Meat, Fish, And Dairy

Meat is Fido’s favorite food. It also should make up the bulk of your cute pet’s diet. Plain, cooked meat, fish, or chicken is usually a safe bet. Fido can also have some shredded deli meat. You do want to limit fatty meats, such as bacon, sausage, and cocktail wieners. Organ meats, such as liver and kidney, should also be fed on occasion.

Produce, Dairy, and Other

You can share some fruits and veggies with your canine pal. Some of the safe options for fruits include apples, bananas, melons, blueberries, and strawberries. As for veggies, some safe options include cooked pumpkin, carrots, squash, potato, sweet potato, spinach, peas, or green beans. Other types of food items are mostly case-by-case. Peanut butter, for instance, is fine. Fido can also have small amounts of egg or cheese. Just don’t go too crazy with dairy products.

Dangerous Foods

It’s also very important to know what foods aren’t safe for our furry friends. Grapes and raisins are two of the most concerning. They’re healthy for us, but can cause life-threatening organ failure in Fido and Fluffy, even in small amounts. Other dangerous foods include garlic and onions, avocado, meat on the bone, chocolate, caffeine, fruits with seeds or pips, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, and anything that contains xylitol and/or a lot of salt, sugar, or fat. Ask your vet for more information. 

Homemade Goodies

Many people love cooking and baking at this time of year. You’ll find plenty of great recipes for homemade dog treats online, but you can also mix and match or just try your own. Some things you can use include pureed pumpkin or squash, minced or chopped meat, ripe bananas, whole wheat flour, wheat germ oil, liver powder, olive oil, sodium-free broth, egg, and fat-free yogurt. You can also add chopped or shredded meat, cheese, bacon bits, kibble, and/or safe fruits or veggies. These can make cute gifts for Fido’s buddies as well.Do you have questions about your dog’s health or care? Contact us, your local Vinton, VA animal clinic, today!