Christmas is coming - and the dog is getting fat

Misguided kindness from owners could see British dogs put on nearly half a stone in weight (6 pounds) this festive season, putting them at risk of developing a number of serious illnesses including arthritis, diabetes and liver disease according to pet insurer MORE TH>N.

The 6 pounds in dog weight (nearly 10% of the average dog's bodyweight) is equivalent to the average UK male putting on up to a stone over the Christmas period.

As a result, MORE TH>N is issuing a canine health warning outlining the dangers of Brits treating their dogs to chocolates, leftovers from the Christmas turkey and uneaten mince pies, which can lead to more problems for dogs than a little extra around the belly. In fact, some Christmas nosh can cause serious health implications too.

To help keep British dogs healthy this Christmas, MORE TH>N Vetfone's pet expert, Samantha Pennicard, has identified the most damaging tit-bits that should be avoided. They are:

Chocolate - Human chocolate is actually poisonous to dogs. The darker it is the more harmful it can be. If you want to treat Rover to chocolates this Christmas stick to those specially produced for dogs

Christmas Pud and Mince pies - Raisins (and grapes) are also poisonous to dogs so take care to keep these traditional Christmas treats well out of reach

Garlic and Onions - Both can be toxic to canines so no sage and onion stuffing should ever be put in the dog bowl

Alcohol - Many pet owners think it's ok to allow pets a drop of Christmas spirit but even a small amount of alcohol is not wise

Turkey leftovers - Any food with bones in is dangerous for dogs as they can cause intestinal obstructions

Milk and Dairy - Unfamiliar foodstuffs can cause all sorts of dietary upsets in dogs - if you feed yours strong cheeses or rich desserts chances are you'll discover a few extra, unwanted gifts under the Christmas tree...

If however, you are determined your pet should enjoy a special Christmas dinner come 25 December, Samantha Pennicard says: "It might not seem that adventurous, but white meat, either turkey or chicken, with boiled or steamed vegetables won't do dogs any harm at all and the smart money says they'll wolf this meal down. Dog owners really do need to take care of their animals during the festive season though, misguided kindness when it comes to treats could cause serious health issues for the nation's dogs in the New Year."

Pete Markey, Head of Pet insurance at MORE TH>N comments, "What dog owners need to remember is that their beloved pooches' recommended daily calorie intake is just 40 percent of their own. In other words, each Christmas treat that is given to Rover is the equivalent of a human eating two and a half times as much. Therefore, while one mince pie with a dollop of cream is naughty for a human, its easy to see that it could prove extremely problematic for a pooch."