The holidays are a time to indulge in a variety of delicious foods and plenty of beer, wine, and cocktails to boot.
And although the Christmas season is all about giving, it doesn’t mean we should share these incredible treats with our dearest furry friends.
Some of the very foods that we love most in the festive season – from lollies and chocolate to alcohol and ice cream – are actually dangerous for dogs and cats.
FEMAIL has rounded up some of the things you should be keeping away from your pets this week and through the year – no matter how cute they look when they beg.
LOLLIES
Much of our favourite candy contains xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is often used as a sweetener and can be lethal for pets
Much of our favourite candy contains xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is often used as a sweetener.
While xylitol gives many of our treats a sweet kick, it can be lethal for pets.
Xylitol, which is also found in toothpaste and many baked goods, can cause liver failure in both cats and dogs, according to WebMD.
Initial symptoms can include everything from lethargy and coordination problems to vomiting and seizures.
It can take just days for your pet to become deathly ill, so if your furry friend has swallowed a piece of candy make sure to quickly contact your veterinarian.
ALCOHOL
Even just a few sips of your champagne or pint could cause vomiting, breathing problems, and diarrhoea in your dog or cat
While too many glasses of bubbly can give us a headache or upset stomach in the morning, the consequences can be far worse for pets.
Alcohol has the same effect no matter if you walk on two legs or four, but our furry friends’ livers are far less resilient than our own.
Even just a few sips of your champagne or pint could cause vomiting, breathing problems, and diarrhoea in your cat or dog.
In some cases, alcohol can even kill our pets.
The smaller the animal – and higher the alcohol proof – the more dangerous the situation becomes.
For example, just two teaspoons of whiskey can send a cat that weighs 2.26 kilos into a coma, according to WebMd.
ONION & GARLIC
Both onions and garlic can kill red blood cells and cause anemia or food poisoning, leading to vomiting, breathing problems, and weakness in our pets
Garlic and onions can add a delicious dash of flavour to our holiday meals, but they can wreak havoc in the bodies of our pets.
Whether they’re in powdered, cooked, raw, or dehydrated form, garlic and onion should always be kept away from dogs and cats.
Both can kill red blood cells and cause anemia or food poisoning, leading to vomiting, breathing problems, and weakness.
Onion powder is often found in everything from pasta to pizza and even meat rubs, so be extra careful with what you slip your pup under the dinner table.
GRAPES
As with xylitol, grapes can cause kidney failure in both cats and dogs. Even just a few could lead to symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, and seizures
Whether they’re purple or green, grapes have long been a refreshing summer treat.
But you should think twice before giving a few to your pet.
As with xylitol, grapes can cause kidney failure in both cats and dogs. Even just a few could lead to symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, and seizures.
Researchers have not yet determined what it is about grapes that are so toxic to pets, but believe their danger could be linked to the fruit’s flesh.
So even if your grapes are peeled or seedless, still keep them off the counters and in a safe place that’s inaccessible to your furry friends.
And if your pet has consumed a few grapes, check for symptoms of hyperactivity in cats and signs of sluggishness or lethargy in dogs.
MILK
Once they’ve been weaned, most dogs and cats actually become lactose intolerant – and milk can cause some very upset stomachs
It may make for a cute Instagram photo, but giving your pet a lick of ice cream will do more harm than good.
Once they’ve been weaned, most dogs and cats actually become lactose intolerant – and milk can cause some very upset stomachs.
Diarrhoea and digestive issues are a common symptom after pets consume milk and milk-based products.
And milk can even trigger other food allergies in dogs. So stick to the puppy-cinos when you need a cool treat for your dog in the summer.
CHOCOLATE
Chocolate contains theobromine, a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant that causes a number of symptoms in pets ranging from tremors and seizures to heart problems and death
Chocolate is the way to many people’s hearts during the holidays, but it can actually be lethal if fed to cats and dogs.
Whether its dark, milk, or white, the treat causes a number of symptoms in pets ranging from tremors and seizures to heart problems and death.
Chocolate contains theobromine, a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant.
While theobromine can be used as a diuretic or heart stimulant for humans, it is a toxic agent in the systems of cats and dogs.
It is especially dangerous in dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate, and can be found in everything from baked goods to pudding packs.