Mary Allen
One of the most popular holidays of the year is here and with it, the food is in the center, something that is usually appreciated by our four-legged friends. However, there is a lot on the set table that our pets should avoid. FirstVet, therefore, gives tips on what you as a pet owner should think about during the celebration.
Herring, potatoes, and gourds are just some of the classic dishes served on Midsummer’s Eve. As a pet owner, however, it is important to be aware of the dangers associated with food and celebration.
Too Much Salt and Fat
Midsummer food is generally fatty and contains high salt levels. This is something that many animals are sensitive to and that can lead to stomach problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. In fact, questions about vomiting were one of the most common questions that FirstVet received during Midsummer’s Eve last year.
Inform Guests
– A tip to avoid your or a guest’s pet getting something inappropriate, is to constantly remove food leftovers. Feel free to set the food after each dish and also make sure to clean up food that has fallen from the table. Another tip is to inform all guests not to feed the pets and ask them to pick up anything that falls on the ground. This can be a nice celebration, both for humans and animals, says Caroline Caldemar, chief veterinarian at FirstVet.
To Think About During the Midsummer Celebration
A large part of the midsummer food contains onions that are toxic to both dogs and cats. Onions can, among other things, give dogs anemia.
Both dogs and cats can have stomach problems such as vomiting and diarrhea from fatty and salty foods. Dogs are also at risk of developing inflammation of the pancreas if they eat a lot of foods that are fatty.
Bone remains can be dangerous for dogs. In the worst case, the dog can break a tooth, get constipation or even get life-threatening injuries to the intestines or stomach from sharp bone chips.
The dessert table also contains things that are dangerous for the pet. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and can cause stomach problems, salivation, palpitations. In the worst case, it can cause heart problems and seizures resulting in death. If you are unsure about how much chocolate the dog has ingested, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian for emergency advice.
Wooden ice cream sticks and skewers can become very sharp when they break. If the dog tries to eat them, they can get stuck in the throat or throat and cause sores. If the dog succeeds in swallowing them, it can in the worst case cause severe damage to the dog’s stomach and intestines.