Holiday Snacking Guide for Your Dog and Cat

It's the holidays, and sure, you know you shouldn't be sneaking snacks to Fido and Fluffy, but you do it anyway. So, since you're going to slip some treats to your pet, follow these guidelines for giving treats to your dog or cat:

1. Limit Amounts and Portions. Give your pet no more than 10% of his total calories in snacks. That means if you have a cat or Toy breed, you need to think in terms of thumbnail-sized treats. Bigger dogs can have larger treats, but keep them proportional. It should be something that is no bigger than your dog's nose.

2. Choose Lean and Healthy Foods. Lean cuts of cooked meat without fat, carrots, celery, canned pumpkin (without sugar and spices), green beans, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, sliced apples, sliced bananas, and kale are all very good for your pet. You may cook the vegetables provided that you do not add salt or fat such as butter or margarine.

3. Avoid the "Baddies." Chocolate, alcohol, onions, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, raw salmon, bones, fat and excessive salt and fat can be dangerous or even deadly. Obviously, don't give anything your dog or cat is allergic to.

4. Institute a "Ask Before You Give" Policy. Tell your guests to ask you first before they hand the snacks over to your pet. That way you can monitor how much food your pet is actually getting and head off any poisonous or unhealthy snacks before your pet gets them. That way, your guests won't feel the need to "sneak" food to those soulful eyes and you won't look like a meanie.

5. Create a Good Dog or Cat Snack Bin. Cut up carrots, green beans and/or other acceptable items and put them in a plastic resealable bag or container and mark it for the dog/cat. Then, when someone has an unacceptable treat, you can toss it out and give them an appropriate treat for your pet.

6. Have fun with treats. Who says you can't have fun giving your dog or cat treats? Get a food ball and stuff it with cut up carrots, green beans, peas and a bit of cooked meat or pumpkin and give it to your pet. Your pet will have fun removing the treats and you and your guests will have fun watching him do it.

Reference

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dog Health and Nutrition by Margaret H. Bonham, Alpha Books, 2003.