INDIANAPOLIS — Your pet is part of your family, so it only makes sense that you buy them a Christmas present (or 10) during the holidays, but do you spend more on your furry family member than on your partner this time of year?
One study found that a good chunk of Hoosiers actually do!
Innovet Pet conducted a study of 2,500 pet owners in Indianapolis. They found that roughly 18% will be spending more on their pets than on their partner this Christmas. That's one out of every five Hoosiers.
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And all dog owners know the effect of the "puppy eyes" especially when you're making Christmas dinner. Innovet found that 29% of dog owners in Indiana admit to feeding their pets some of their Christmas meal.
Innovet Pet also included a list of what treats to avoid feeding your furry family member this Christmas.
Chocolate and nuts
This contains a chemical called theobromine which is seriously poisonous if ingested in large quantities by cats or dogs. You probably didn’t know that walnuts and macadamia nuts are actually toxic to pets and can harm their digestive, muscle and nervous systems. Keep bowls of treats out of reach!
Raisins, sultanas, currants and grapes
Even small quantities of these fruits can cause vomiting, diarrhea and in extreme cases, kidney failure. Beware of mince pies, Christmas pudding and fruit cake as these often contain all or one of the above fruits, as well as alcohol, which is also not good for your pet.
Fruits with stones
On top of being a choking hazard, the stones and pips of fruit like apples, cherries, peaches, plums and apricots contain cyanide, which is poisonous to pets.
And even though your should stay away from many treats this tiem of year, there are still some that are perfectly safe to share with them at Christmas, such as:
Turkey
Your furry friend would love a couple pieces of plain, skinless turkey that’s free from any sauce, which can affect their stomach. Make especially sure than there are no bones in this meat as they can get stuck in their throats.
Winter vegetables
Some vegetables are really good for your pet’s health in small quantities as long as they are plain and contain no added oil or butter. Think things like green beans, carrots, brussels sprouts, broccoli, peas, spinach and parsnips.
Potatoes
Everyone’s favorite side dish is also delicious to your pet in small amounts. Again, ensure there is no added oil, butter or salt added.
