Turkey stuffing, the RSPCA tell us, is toxic to cats and dogs. As Christmas has arrived, cat and dog caretakers who are unaware should be warned. Not that cats like turkey stuffing but if some of it is attached to pieces of turkey it may be ingested by a cat.
Angela Grigg of Putney Animal Hospital, London (a place I have walked past many times) said that there were 15 cases of dogs being poisoned by turkey mixed with turkey stuffing last year.
I had never heard of this before. A quarter of 867 people surveyed by the RSPCA didn’t realise either. I bet the figure is higher than that, actually.
It is the onions in stuffing that poisons dogs. It causes vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration as a result.
As for cats, I am not sure what it is in the stuffing that might hurt a cat. My immediate research indicates that in some (perhaps all) recipes turkey stuffing contains a large quantity of currants or raisins. Currants and raisins can be toxic to cats and dogs. They can cause kidney failure.
There may be high levels of salt and some alcohol in stuffing too. Both can harm cats and presumably dogs.
Also, if you buy pre-prepared turkey stuffing you don’t what is in it. There may be some chemicals that are also toxic.
My cat doesn’t like Turkey. He’s a chicken man. Anyway I don’t do Christmas!
See Toxic to cats for some more nasties.
Well I guess I been poisoning my dogs and cats for 5 decades. I only use celery and onions and herbs in my stuffing and no one has ever died from it. They been eating my meatloaf with onions for 5 decades too but yet still no one has died or been sick. But then again I only use enough onion as a herb not as a flavoring. I think maybe my moderate use onions is why no one has been poisoned. Maybe it’s the use of that instant stuffing crap that sickens pets, I know it sickens me. ๐
Essential information for all our kitties and pooches this Christmas thats so much for sharing and have a happy one ๐
Dr. Hush Puppy- bless his little heart wants me remind y’all to hang mistletoe made of plastic or fabric up high in a doorway- if’n you want to be kissed. He added that mistletoe is extremely toxic for us kitties – and while it’s pretty please ditch the holly.
And of course do not give us coffee, chocolate or anything containing artificial sweeteners. We felines around the world thank you! And wish you a meowy catmas- and to all “good night”.
I use to LOVE the stuff . But after that I would actually tell people in stores that I’d see buying it not to buy it and why! DOGS too! I know we all love sharing our holidays with our pets , but there are so many decorations and poisonous plants it’s really scary . I think if I ever do get to the point of deciding to put up a tree again I’ll just decorate using pet toys and the rest be damned!!!!LMAO! At least that way I will know there is nothing harmful and if any company doesn’t approve they can leave!!! And the rest of us can have Happy Holidays worry free!
Good point Jan. I think tinsel is very dangerous to cats and there is a lot of it at Christmas, frequently on the floor.
I knew onions and grapes in any form,(altho one of my Sadie’s old fav’s) are very toxic for dogs.Had NOOOO idea cats were so badly effected…course I also always thought that cats had better sense then most dogs!!! Also if anyone is ‘trimming a tree”…please folks toss out that silver “stringy” tinsel!!! Cats love the stuff ,chewing on it and ingesting it . Which in turn becomes wrapped around their internal parts!!!! One of my friends lost both her kitties Christmas one year and the vet did a necroscopy on the youngest , finding that the “lovely , tinsel” had knotted and looped itself around inside and basically cut the poor babies insides.(Sorry for the visual) They are attracted to it like yarn and thread. Sorry..getting off topic here….Altho my animals have always gotten goodies from the table , I for one can say they do NOT get the whole feast . Turkey with their food and that’s it! BTW…I know NUTMEG is also toxic,(found in most all pumpkin pies)