Christmas is often seen as the most festive time of the year, filled with joy and togetherness as families gather to celebrate. Yet, amid the holiday cheer, it’s also the season for culinary indulgences, which raises questions for many pet owners about what can be safely shared with their furry friends. It’s important to recognize which foods are harmful to dogs during this festive time.
According to Dr. Katrina Warren, an Australian vet and pet expert, many dogs are tempted to indulge in Christmas favorites like ham, turkey, and lamb. Unfortunately, this can lead to troubling health issues. "While ham is not toxic to dogs, and a little treat or bite of ham is not likely to cause problems, a more significant amount can cause serious health issues," she advises. Dr. Warren warns against feeding dogs fatty meats, particularly from offcuts and trimmings, which could potentially trigger pancreatitis—an extremely painful and potentially life-threatening condition.
One common festive food to avoid wholly is cooked bones. "Cooked bones, whether leftover scraps from your meal or have been baked, boiled or fried, should never be fed to dogs (or cats)," she cautions. These splinter easily, posing risks such as choking or internal injuries. Conversely, raw bones should be approached with caution and only after consultation with your vet.
That said, dog owners can include their pets in the festive spirit by providing safe treats. Dr. Warren mentions, "Blueberries are a really healthy treat, you can feed them frozen as well. They are full of antioxidants." Other safe options discussed include soft boiled eggs, plain Greek yogurt, and sardines. For vegetables, broccoli and sweet potato are recommended, but with the advice to steam them to mitigate choking hazards.
On the other hand, holiday treats like mince pies, cakes, and puddings are toxic to dogs due to the presence of dried fruits like grapes, raisins, and sultanas. Dr. Warren stresses, "Even a small amount of Christmas sweets can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and...lead to kidney disease. Chocolate and nutmeg should also be avoided due to their toxic properties for pets."
While ensuring our pets are safe this Christmas, the culinary experience doesn’t stop with traditional foods. For Australians, Christmas Day typically coincides with summer, introducing a unique twist to festive meals. Whether it’s cold cuts or hot dishes, the choice of meals can vary widely across households.
Chef Curtis Stone highlights the significance of gravy during Christmas dinners, declaring, "I kind of feel like the gravy and the stuffing, no matter whether you're doing... they’re the things...that really make the meal sing, especially the gravy." He emphasizes the importance of serving food hot and suggests warming plates before serving to keep everybody's meals enjoyable. Stone’s approach reminds us to add heartiness to our gatherings—both through flavor and temperature.
With the logistics of cooking for larger groups presenting their challenges, he suggests extra effort put toward sauces and gravies can help mitigate potential serving hiccups. Creating dishes everyone can enjoy requires both thoughtfulness and care, especially when it involves balancing guest preferences.
The community spirit often seen during Christmas is perhaps best illustrated through local holiday events. About 70 members of the Omaha Beach Bowling Club recently attended their annual Christmas roll up, featuring traditional ham rolls and meringues. This festive gathering brought together players from nearby areas to engage in friendly competition, focusing on the theme of camaraderie.
Despite weather predictions for thunderstorms and poor conditions, the tournament proceeded with only minor drizzles. Organiser Mike Jackson expressed hopes for continued success and thanked sponsors generously, remarking, "We would like to thank our sponsors who continually support us as a club with special thanks to Ray White Matakana and Omaha being our major sponsor." Their collaboration highlights the sense of community spirit inherent at this time of year, especially within friendly competitive settings.
From safeguarding our pets and sharing safe festive foods to the warmth of community celebrations, Christmas continues to offer diverse traditions. These reminders of thoughtfulness and camaraderie enrich this festive season, ensuring both families and pets can find joy and safety amid the celebrations.
