Holiday leftovers & your pets: What’s safe to share and what’s not

BEDFORD — As holiday gatherings wind down and refrigerators fill with Christmas leftovers, veterinarians are reminding families to think twice before sharing festive foods with their pets. While some leftovers are safe in moderation, many traditional holiday dishes contain ingredients that can make pets seriously ill.

According to national veterinary guidance, plain, fully cooked proteins such as turkey, chicken, lean beef, eggs, and salmon can be shared safely if they are free of seasoning, skin, and bones. Holiday meats often contain high levels of salt, fat, and spices that can lead to stomach irritation or pancreatitis. Fatty trimmings, ham, exotic fish, and any meats with hidden or brittle bones should be avoided.

Fruits like apples, bananas, blueberries, and seedless watermelon ar