When you're cheering on your favorite team, you almost instantly think about all those delicious tailgate party treats! Well, you aren’t the only one with your eye on the buffet. Your favorite snacks could be putting your dogs at risk. Here are a few popular gameday foods that you should keep out of reach of your pets:
Buffalo Wings
What’s a party without wings? We love them and unfortunately dogs do too. Cooked chicken bones are rigid and fragile and can shatter inside your dog’s digestive track. Even if your buffet boasts some boneless wings, the buffalo sauce is often too spicy for dogs to ingest. Any hot sauce will give your dog a terribly upset stomach.
Deep Fried Food
Now, we know fried food is bad for humans. All logic tells us that it is a no-go for dogs. Fried foods are actually WORSE for dogs than they are for people! Eating too much fat will disrupt digestion in the short term and cause long-term health issues.
Alcohol
A common misconception people have is that dogs can tolerate alcohol. This is NOT true. Alcohol – yes, even beer – has ingredients that are toxic to dogs of all sizes. Canine digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems cannot handle the effects of any kind of alcohol, so it is best to just keep it well out of your pet's way.
Toothpicks
Finally, try to steer clear of using an abundance of toothpicks. It should go without saying, but if your pup jumps up and gets a mouthful of cheese cubes, it’s a lot better for them if they aren’t full of miniature wooden spikes. When swallowed, even just a few of these have the potential to cause severe damage.
These tips don’t mean you can’t enjoy your party with your best buddy. Take these precautions into consideration on February 12th to ensure a fun-filled day for everyone involved!
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