Winter is the time for holiday parties and large, traditional dinners. But as much as you may want to include your pet in this fun, feeding him a few treats from the table is not the way. Table food is too fatty for the digestive systems of most animals and can lead to severe stomach upsets, occasionally triggering possibly fatal pancreatic inflammation.

To keep your pet safe this season, remember the following:

Chicken and turkey bones are highly dangerous; they can splinter and puncture the stomach or intestines.

Don’t fill the dog’s bowl with table scraps. Most are too fatty for an animal’s digestive system.

Don’t give chocolate to your dog; it can be toxic.

Make sure to put garbage into tightly covered cans to prevent your dog from giving into temptation and making a meal of your discards.

Call your vet if your pet shows signs of stomach upset – diarrhea or vomiting.