The festive season is a time of indulgence and joy, not only for us humans, but also for our beloved pets. However, caution is advised, as some typical Christmas seasonings can be dangerous for our four-legged friends. In today's blog post, you can find out which spices you should avoid and how you can prepare safe, festive treats for your dog.

 

Dangerous Christmas seasonings for dogs and cats:

Cloves: Cloves are particularly dangerous for cats. The reason for this is the ingredient eugenol, which is poisonous to cats. Eugenol is often found in gingerbread, a popular Christmas biscuit. It is therefore important to ensure that gingerbread is kept away from cats to prevent accidental ingestion.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon also contains phenols, which can have similar toxic effects to cloves. Although small amounts of cinnamon may not pose an immediate danger, it is advisable to be cautious and avoid contact of pets with cinnamon. This is especially true as the tolerance level for such spices in animals can vary.

Nutmeg and bitter almonds: Nutmeg and bitter almonds also contain substances that can be toxic to dogs and cats. These ingredients can also be present in various oils that are often used in sweets and biscuits during the Christmas period. It is therefore important to be careful when choosing Christmas treats for pets and avoid products that contain these ingredients.

 

Overall, it is important for us pet owners to have an awareness of the potential dangers of some everyday foods and condiments, especially during the festive season when such ingredients are more commonly used. It is always better to play it safe and limit pets' access to such foods.

 

Festive treat: recipe for dog biscuits

There are many safe and healthy alternatives for dog owners who want to spoil their four-legged friends at Christmas. Here is a simple recipe for dog biscuits that your pet is guaranteed to love:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of wholemeal flour
• 1/2 cup of rolled oats
• 1 Egg
• 1/3 cup of peanut butter (without xylitol!)
• 1/4 cup of water

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water.
3. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out biscuits using Christmas biscuit cutters.
4. Place the biscuits on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown.
5. Leave the biscuits to cool completely before serving them to your dog.

 

Christmas is a time of sharing and love, and that of course includes our four-legged family members. By avoiding dangerous seasonings and making sure your pets only get treats that are suitable for them, you'll ensure a happy and safe festive season for all.