Leading veterinarian and founder of Burns Pet Nutrition, John Burns has issued a warning ahead of Christmas on the harm that feeding dog’s left overs can do.
There are considerable dangers with feeding pooches’ foods such as stuffing with onions, gravy with high salt and sugar content and too much bacon.
The leading healthy pet food company also revealed new stats from a recent survey which shows that 49% of Brits admit to feeding their canine friends’ leftovers at Christmas including bacon, stuffing and turkey with gravy!
Almost one in three dogs (31%) admit that their dogs’ stomachs can’t always hack leftovers or take away treats such as chips, nuggets and burgers. 15% of pups have been ill more than once from it.
20% of dog owners admitting their dog never refuses toast with a further 12% confessing they offer their dog chips when they’re indulging in their own take away!
Mr Burns has revealed his top tips on how to deal with dogs that like to steal food and get food envy.
Foods that should be avoided for dogs during the festive period include:
- Turkey or chicken skin
- Gravy
- Bird bones
- Anything that contains herbs and spices
- Onions
- Stuffing
- Pigs in blankets
To counteract the temptation to feed your dog leftovers at Christmas, Burns have taken the liberty of releasing a brand-new dog-only Christmas turkey recipe. Packed with all the nutrients and goodness a dog needs, this festive new product will be available for a limited time only online now.
Founder of Burns Pet Nutrition, John Burns MBE, said: “It is very easy to get carried away in the celebrations of Christmas but don’t let your festive mood affect your dog’s health.
“You may think a little bit of chicken with gravy can’t hurt, but gravy is too high in fat and salt content for your dog so it is no wonder that so many dogs get ill over Christmas.
“The best practice is to simply keep your dog to their normal diet but if you wish to give them a taste of Christmas, you can feed them some plain turkey without bones or skin with some plain potatoes and some select vegetables.”
