Although it is strongly discouraged to feed your pup “people food,” let’s face it – Fido probably gets ahold of scraps here and there, and especially around the holidays. Even if your dog’s sweet eyes are begging you for food, however, you should take a moment to consider the effect it may have. There good be something on your plate that smells great but could actually cause harm to your pup – and only you can prevent it.

Whether at Thanksgiving dinner or at taco night, knowing the foods below that can cause issues for pups can make sure your dog doesn’t get ill from eating any treats they shouldn’t get into.

Turkey Skin

Your pup might beg for a piece of turkey, and you can give him a small piece – with a few conditions. First, it should be completely cooked white meat and without the skin. As The Dogington Post notes, turkey skin is very high in fat, which makes it bad for his or her health. High-fat foods are difficult for your dog to digest, which can lead to pancreatitis with symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain and lethargy. In addition, turkey is often cooked with seasonings, spices, butter and oils, all of which can lead to other health concerns. If you just can’t say no, you can feel safe with a small nibble of just white meat.

Cooked Bones

Dogs can eat bones, right? Wrong! Not every bone is safe, and the bones that come from your Thanksgiving turkey or ham can splinter in your dog’s digestive tract, causing serious internal injuries or worse. These bones can also pose a choking hazard, too. Stick to the treat bones or the bone-shaped toys your dog likes instead.

Alcohol

Although some may think it is amusing to see their dog drink alcohol, it can be extremely toxic to your pup. Especially for small dogs like toy and teacup poodles, a little alcohol can be very dangerous to your four-legged friend’s health. Symptoms from alcohol ingestion can include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, central nervous system depression and even death in severe cases, says the ASPCA.

Nuts

Not only do nuts contain a high level of oils and fat, which are bad for your pet as we’ve already discussed, they can also cause a severe toxic reaction. Just like some people have nut allergies, so too can your dog. Walnuts and macadamia nuts are dangerous in particular and can lead to a serious problem called “macadamia nut toxicosis.” Symptoms include vomiting, elevated heart rate, fever and tremors, as well as an inability to stand. While often these symptoms would go away naturally, severe cases can cause fatal shock in your pup. You’re best off keeping nuts away from your dog entirely.

Spices

Two big spices that should hide from your pet during Thanksgiving are nutmeg and sage. Sage contains essential oils that can upset the stomach of your pup, leading to an unpleasant after-dinner mess. Nutmeg, on the other hand, is more serious, and can lead to seizures or even death. While sweet potatoes or raw pumpkin are fine for your dog, if you’ve seasoned them with nutmeg, keep them only on your plate.

Onions and Garlic

Although they seem harmless, both onion and garlic contain sulfides – a toxic substance to dogs that can cause anemia. When cooking, be aware of your ingredients and if you drop any slices of onion or cloves or garlic, make sure to pick them up and throw them away before your pup has a chance to get into something that they shouldn’t.

Dough and Batter

The raw eggs used to make dough and batter can contain Salmonella or E. coli which is not only harmful to you, but your pup, too. Beyond the risk of these ingredients, dough can post a more serious problem with your dog. Dough can actually rise in your dog’s stomach, which can lead to bloating and pain. If this causes a stomach twist, it could even become a life-threatening emergency! For everyone’s health, don’t let anyone – people or pup – eat uncooked dough.

Chocolate

You probably know that chocolate is harmful to dogs, and it’s especially true with smaller pups. Depending on the type and amount of chocolate a dog consumes, he or she could experience minor symptoms like vomiting or serious issues, including death. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the most dangerous – especially to smaller breeds – so when you have the chocolate out, make sure that you keep it away from your dog’s reach..

Keeping these food no-no’s in mind will help keep your dog safe throughout the holidays – and all year round. Speaking of the holidays, are you considering growing your family this season with a cute and lovable new pup? Check out our new puppies available for sale online now or call us at 256-624-6464 to learn more.

And from all of us at Lowry Toy Poodles, hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving!