List of Common Chinese New Year Goodies Your Pet Should Avoid

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, this is one thing you should take note of. Educate yourselves and your guests, make sure these food don’t get into your pet’s tummy! Of course, your pet can consume the pet-friendly version of these snacks!

1. Bak Kwa

Bak kwa, also known as Barbecued Pork, is usually oily and rich in fats, which can cause pancreatic or heart problems if taken in excessive quantity. Your pets may have symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting after eating. Bak Kwa is dried meat, similar to jerky. Bar Kwa is generally sliced thin and cut into squares. It can be made from beef, pork or mutton, and while it traces its origins to Southern China, it is particularly popular in Singapore and Malaysia. Often, the meat is grilled over charcoal to give it a smoky flavour, then blended with a combination of spices, soy sauce and saycs. It can be used as an ingredient in other dishes or enjoyed on its own.

Treat Recommendations:

Absolute Holistic Grain Free Pork Dumbbell Dog Treats 100g

Absolute Holistic Grain Free Salmon Dumbbell Jerky Treats 100g

Heka Kangaroo Jerky Pieces Dog Treat 150g

Absolute Bites Air Dried Deboned Chicken Breast Dog & Cat Treats 170g

2. Pineapple Tarts

Pineapple Tarts is one of the most popular Chinese New Year snacks! Pineapple tarts are delicious sweetened treats for humans, but they are not suitable as doggie or kitty treats. Pineapple tarts are generally non toxic for dogs and cats, unless they contain raisins or chocolate (Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs). However, these treats are high in sugar and fat, and the high sugar content of the pineapple paste used in pineapple tarts (usually artificially sweetened) can cause your pet gas, tummy pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Alternative Treat Recommendations:

Happi Doggy Dental Chew Zest Petite Apple 150g

Happi Doggy Dental Chew Zest Orange 4”

Aatas Cat Finest Fruity Feast Chix with Pineapple in Gravy Wet Food 70g 

3. Yu Sheng

Yu Sheng is a must-have Chinese New Year snack. It is made up of raw fish, shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, Yu Sheng is not a doggy-safe food item. Some of the condiments are artificially sweetened and salted, which would not be good for your pet’s digestive tract. Although it is safe for dogs to consume raw fish in moderation, unfresh raw fish can have bacteria that causes food poisoning in both dog and human alike.

Alternative Treat Recommendations:

DoggyMan Vegetable Sticks with Carrot Dog Treat 30g 

Doggyman Glitter Sasami with Vegetable Dog Treat 400g 

4. Nuts

A staple at Chinese New Year gatherings, they may be small, and healthy for humans to consume, but for a pup/kitty, a mere handful of certain nuts can be toxic to them. Tree nuts are often contaminated with very low levels of the poison Aflatoxin, which comes from Aspergillus mold. Although levels are safe for humans, dogs are acutely sensitive to this poison, and even low levels of Aflatoxin can be extremely toxic and lead to complications such as gastroenteritis. Macadamia nuts for example, can lead to vomiting, muscle and joint pain, lethargy or even temporary paralysis in your pets. Pistachios are also very rich in fat and can cause your dog to develop an upset stomach. Repetitive eating for pistachios can cause pancreatitis in your dog & cat.

Alternative Treat Recommendations:

Friskies Party Mix Mixed Grill Cat Treats 60g

Wanpy Dog Bone Biscuit For Dogs 120g

Absolute Bites Himalayan Yak Cheese Fries Dog Treats (2 Sizes)

Vitakraft Crispy Crunch With Salmon Cat Treats 60g

Kit Cat Kitty Crunch Beef Flavour Cat Treat (60g)