Anyone who owns a pet will know how tempting it is to slip them morsels of food, especially over the festive period.
But you really do have to be very careful not to overfeed your four-legged friends, vets have warned – as just four pigs in blankets for dogs is the equivalent of a full Christmas dinner.
Meanwhile a Yorkshire pudding, to a cat, is the same as humans eating one and a half margarita pizzas.
PDSA, the national vet charity for pets in need, said sharing these leftovers and treats can add up to enormous calorie equivalents.
And they could lead to bigger issues over time.
‘Showing love to your pets doesn’t have to mean sharing your plate with them,’ PDSA Vet Nurse Gemma Renwick said.
‘Many popular festive treats have shocking calorie equivalents for our pets, making overfeeding furry family members a big risk – and one that can lead to serious health problems including weight gain.
‘Additionally, pets can often develop vomiting or diarrhoea if their diet changes suddenly, so it’s best to stick to their normal food and regular mealtimes as much as possible.
Anyone who owns a pet will know how tempting it is to slip them morsels of food, especially over the festive period (stock image)
You really do have to be very careful not to overfeed your four-legged friends, vets have warned – as just four pigs in blankets for dogs is the equivalent of a full Christmas dinner
‘Even for humans, the number of calories in a whole Christmas dinner can quickly add up – so it’s important to consider how the smallest of table scraps can translate into excessive calories for our pets.’
For a medium-sized dog, such as a Beagle, eating a human-sized turkey dinner is the same as us humans eating nearly four, the charity said.
Even small amounts of some foods can be high in calories, as a portion of ham for a pooch is like a person eating over one and a half bacon rolls.
Meanwhile a portion of ham for a cat is the equivalent of us eating 10 chicken skewers.
While a Christmas treat may seem harmless as a one-off, obesity is a common issue in pets and increases the risk of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and breathing issues, the charity said.
They also warned that many foods can be hazardous for pets.
Stuffing and gravy often contain onion, leeks, and garlic, while mince pies and Christmas cake contain raisins, sultanas, and currants, which can all be deadly to both cats and dogs.
‘If you are desperate to share a one-off Christmas treat with your furry friend, don’t forget that even the smallest bit of food will be a huge treat in their eyes, so don’t go big on the portions,’ Ms Renwick said.
A portion of ham for a cat is the equivalent of us eating 10 chicken skewers, according to the PDSA
‘Consider reducing the amount of their usual food that day so they are not taking on extra calories.
‘Generally, the ‘pet-safe’ parts of a roast are those that are as plain as possible and not covered in glaze or oil that could upset their stomach.
‘Boneless white turkey meat, carrot and swede mash (that doesn’t contain butter or onion), and plain vegetables are all good options.
‘You should also try to avoid oversharing with your pet in the weeks and days surrounding Christmas because you may find that they start to expect something every time you have a meal, which can encourage begging and is unhealthy in the long term.’
