Warning: Why dogs must avoid eating mince pies at Christmas (2024)

FAQs

Warning: Why dogs must avoid eating mince pies at Christmas? ›

Mince pies contain raisins which are poisonous to dogs. Raisins, as well as grapes, sultanas and currants can lead to acute kidney failure and death. Even a very small amount can cause severe problems in some dogs.

The humble mince pie, due to the raisins, currants or sultanas inside. These contain tartaric acid which is toxic for dogs and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. One owner recently discovered this the hard way when she walked into her living room to find her dogs had devoured an entire plate of mince pies.

It has been claimed that eating the snack is illegal in England if done so on Christmas Day. The tradition comes from the time of Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s, when mince pies were banned at Christmas, along with other tasty treats. Cromwell wanted to tackle gluttony in England.

However, the mince pie was originally a savoury pie – and not even round! In the Tudor period they were rectangular, shaped like a manger and often had a pastry baby Jesus on the lid. They were made from 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his disciples and were all symbolic to the Christmas story.

Call your vet immediately. If your dog is unwell you may need to take them to the vets straight away. If possible try to get someone to call ahead to alert the veterinary practice of the situation so that they can know what to expect and can be prepared.

Never give dogs mince pies. The mincemeat is made up of fruit that contains raisins. Raisins can lead to our dogs suffering from acute kidney failure and, in rare cases, lead to death.

It was reported that in Oliver Cromwell's England, all festive celebrations, (including consuming mince pies and Christmas puddings), were contributing towards gluttony. The festivities were made illegal as part of a fasting period, but luckily the ban was lifted when Charles II took to the throne in 1660.

Oliver Cromwell banned mince pies and other Christmas treats in the 1650's in order to tackle gluttony. The ban didn't survive for long and the act of eating mince pies is now just a myth.

An Italian Christmas Eve—only fish, please!

According to tradition, the meal for Christmas Eve, La Vigilia, doesn't have any meat. It's all fish and vegetables.

What is mincemeat pie filling made of? ›

Historically, mincemeat pie did contain meat, such as mutton, beef, or even game meats, alongside fruits and spices. However, modern versions focus on a delectable, sweet blend of dried fruits, spices, and sometimes rum or brandy.

Mince pies have been known under several names over the years. Christmas pyes indicate their popularity at this time of year, shrid pies refer to the shredded suet and meat, crib cakes which allude to baby Jesus in his crib, and wayfarer's pies, as they were a traditional treat served to travelling visitors.

There is a tradition of eating one mince pie each day over the 12 days of Christmas from Christmas Eve to 5 January.

Mince pies contain raisins which are poisonous to dogs. Raisins, as well as grapes, sultanas and currants can lead to acute kidney failure and death. Even a very small amount can cause severe problems in some dogs.

Can dogs eat pigs in blankets? Even though your dog will find bacon wrapped sausages simply delicious, pigs in blankets are too high in salt and fat for them. Pork products should only be fed as a Christmas dog treat if it's a lean cut and always ensure that it's properly cooked.

Onion and Garlic – Allium family vegetables, which includes all onions, leaks, chives, shallots, and garlic are toxic to dogs. These foods contain compounds called disulfides and thiosulfates, which cause damage to a dog's red blood cells when ingested.

A lot of people think that because dogs are carnivores and need a lot of protein, they can get by just fine on a diet of meat! Unfortunately, your dog can't live on only meat.

The 'bad' bacteria in our gut feed off sugar, and for them Christmas really has come when we indulge on not just one mince pie, but two or three! The result is excess bacterial fermentation, which causes bloating.

"Avoid feeding fatty foods to dogs... things like ham, fatty trimmings from steaks, sausage rolls, meat pies, pork should all be avoided," she explained. "Chocolate can also be fatal by also triggering pancreatitis or seizures that are difficult to control because of the Theobromine in the chocolate.

If your dog has eaten any amount of raisins or grapes, you should go to a veterinarian or animal hospital immediately, even if you do not see any symptoms. Failure to do so can quickly lead to kidney failure, and can even be fatal.