Super Bowl game day means throwing those healthy eating habits and many New Years resolutions out the window for many football fans, but this splurge could also mean danger for your dog. For many, those begging puppy dog eyes and wagging tails lead to giving into a shared nibble of human food or table scraps. However, it’s important to take into careful consideration, just what you are feeding your dog– and how easy it is to forget the dangerous snacks (some you may not be aware of) for dogs when the celebrations really kick into gear.
Pizza, chicken wings, anything battered or fried, alcohol and salty snacks are huge dog diet dangers which should be avoided at all costs. According to Dr. Ernie Ward, founder and President of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, “When we look at weight gain in humans and pets, big single-day caloric consumption can have life-long consequences. A pet can be fed a healthy, low-calorie diet and have their efforts erased with a huge feast.” If you want to indulge your dog with game day “people snack sharing,” healthy options include crunchy carrots, celery, or even broccoli.
“A 20-pound dog fed a single chicken wing is similar to an average adult eating almost seven wings. Feed a 40-pound dog one-half slice of pepperoni pizza and that’s the same as an adult consuming two slices of pepperoni pizza and a 12-ounce cola,” states the APOP. Chicken wings are not only unhealthy because of their high fat, sodium, and calorie content, they are also potential choking and intestinal obstruction hazards which could both lead to death. High sodium foods such as chips, pizza, fries, pretzels, and burgers, can also lead to high blood pressure and hearth disease for your dog.
Common toxic food & game day items you may not be aware of, include, grapes, many nuts, raisins, chocolates, alcohol, onions, caffeinated beverages, tobacco, and foods/snacks containing Xylitol such as sugar free gum. These items should be kept well out of reach of any pets, and could cause vomiting or diarrhea, long term health issues, organ failure, pancreatitis, or even death.
Aside from the possible ingested dangers of Super Bowl parties, the added guests, excitement, and game day cheering can cause extra stress for your four legged companion which can cause other undesirable reactions such as mischievous behavior or even stress related diarrhea. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your dog’s behavior and stress level during these types of gatherings, and always provide a safe and quiet alternative to the festivities if your dog appears to be overly stressed or anxious. A quiet bedroom, kennel or crate are good alternatives, and if none are available or options for your dog, you may also want to consider a pet sitter or daycare for the day.
