The Dogs Trust is today launching a new veterinary approved Doggy Christmas Menu in a bid to raise awareness of the dangers some traditional Christmas treats can pose to man’s best friend, H&C has learned.

Christmas is always a time of indulgence as we tuck into our mince pies and much favoured Christmas puddings. Sadly, many people also unwittingly over-indulge their dogs with festive treats and human foods that in some cases can prove fatal. Dog poisoning is a serious problem and every Christmas a worrying number of dogs become seriously ill after eating human foods such as chocolate and raisins.

Feeding your dog human foods can have dire consequences such as vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and in some cases chronic breathing difficulties. Other dangerous foods for dogs include dates, grapes, mince pies, Christmas puddings, whole brazil nuts, excessive amounts of cheese, alcohol, onion, raw potato (green), turkey bones and high content cocoa chocolate.

However, it’s not always the dog owner’s fault. Greedy dogs have been known to feed on festive treats such as chocolate tree decorations when their owner’s back is turned. To prevent an emergency trip to the vet this Christmas ensure all naughty treats are hidden and out of sight and smell of greedy paws!

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, Chris Laurence, suggests: “As a vet I have seen some terrible examples of dog poisoning over the Christmas period. In many cases the owner was totally unaware of the hidden dangers and was simply intending to be kind to their dog who was eager to share in the festive treats. Like with humans, all foods should be given in moderation.

Other festive items to avoid giving your dog include holly berries, mistletoe, xylitol based sweetner and alcohol such as mulled wine.”

However, help is at hand. Dogs Trust has devised a delicious, healthy and safe three-course Doggy Christmas Menu specially designed with dogs in mind, with veterinary approved dishes include Mutt Nog, Cranberry and Turkey Goble Gobble, Pooches Glazed Vegetables and Doggy Mince Pies.

TV actor and presenter, Jeremy Edwards’ much loved dog, Molly, was the first to take part in a canine taste test. Jeremy explains:

“Molly has certainly given her paw of approval to this risk-free Christmas treat. Despite being a fussy eater, she particularly adores the doggy mince pies - she devoured them in 30 seconds flat!”

Anyone wanting to give their canine a special treat this Christmas can download the complete doggy menu and recipes on the link below.

Case study: Freda

Aimee Best’s dog Freda, a five-year-old Labrador and Staffi cross, learnt her lesson the hard way. Last Christmas Eve, Freda had an unfortunate incident with a chocolate bar that resulted in her stomach being pumped and a 24-hour course of charcoal tablets. Aimee explains:

“Christmas 2008 was a nightmare for us; Freda, my five year old Labrador and Staffi cross, took it upon herself to devour a complete bar of Green & Black’s chocolate. The chocolate bar was left under the Christmas tree ready for unwrapping on Christmas day. Freda however decided to take her life into her own paws and obliterate its entire contents before being rushed to the local vet for emergency treatment.

Would you believe, despite her gruelling ordeal at the vets, Freda still prefers the taste of chocolate. However, we’ve learnt from our mistakes and now keep all forms of chocolate out of her reach in our top kitchen cupboards.”