Your health: Holiday foods can be hazardous to pets

Holiday foods can be hazardous to pets

Holiday dinners are meant for sharing — but not everything on your table is safe for your pet, says Dr. Tony Buffington, clinical nutritionist at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, reports NBC News.

While a taste of lean turkey or fresh vegetables is fine for your little buddies, some foods and beverages are definitely off limits for them.

Bones: Chicken, duck and turkey bones splinter easily and can lodge in your pet's mouth or throat or even perforate the intestines. Larger bones from other animals can cause intestinal blockage.

Onions and garlic: These seasonings in any form — fresh, cooked, dried or powdered — can damage red blood cells in pets, which can lead to anemia.

Alcohol: Especially lethal in cats and small dogs, beer, liquor or wine can damage your pet's liver and brain. While dogs will try any liquor, cats are finicky and prefer milk-based mixed drinks like eggnog and White Russians.

Caffeine: Coffee and coffee grounds, tea, energy drinks and certain medications containing caffeine, when consumed in large enough quantities, can kill your pet.