As families throughout the UK prepare for the holidays, Practice Owner and Veterinary Nurse, Fiona Pitchfork of Hull Vets for Pets, is reminding pet owners how to make sure the festivities don’t end in a trip to the vets. The holidays bring lots of fun for all the family – pets included – however they can also bring hidden dangers for furry friends.
Christmas dinner
- Alcohol, yule logs, stuffing, garlic, onions, mince pies, cheese boards and Christmas pudding (flaming or not) are all toxic to pets and can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsing or even worse.
- Fatty scraps like turkey skin, gravy, bread sauce, cauliflower cheese or other rich leftovers may seem like a treat, but as well as upset tummies they can in fact cause more serious problems such as pancreatitis.
- Cooked bones splinter easily, which can cause choking or puncture the digestive tract.
- If you want to include your cats or dogs in the festivities, offer plain cooked turkey breast or pet-specific treats.
Advent calendars
- All pets, but dogs especially, can sniff out chocolate and easily get through cardboard doors. Even small amounts can be toxic, so keep calendars well out of reach.
- If you’d like to include your pets in the festivities, make sure to get them a pet-friendly calendar; they’d enjoy the taste a lot more.
Christmas trees
- Real Christmas trees can leach chemical fertilisers and pesticides into their water, which can stay stagnant and develop harmful bacteria. If this is consumed, it can cause stomach upset or, in extreme cases, poisoning.
- Pine needles, both real and fake, can be sharp and can irritate mouths, throats and stomachs if chewed or swallowed.
- If you own a cat, you know the annual game where the Christmas tree becomes a climbing frame, so secure it as much as possible to prevent tipping.
- Candy canes and chocolate baubles are nice to enjoy for us humans, but they are toxic to pets; it’s better to avoid hanging food on the tree altogether if there are pets in your family.
Decorations
- Tinsel, ribbons and fairy lights can be choking hazards; pets can easily become entangled. If swallowed, these can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages that often require surgery, so make sure you hang anything just out of reach of curious mouths and paws.
- Similarly hang any glass baubles high on the tree, if they are knocked off, the shards can go full home alone and cut unsuspecting paws (or feet).
Presents
- Food presents hidden under the tree will be sniffed out, so if you don’t want the surprise to be smelly or expensive, store them away safely.
Christmas parties
- Christmas parties and guests can overwhelm pets, so provide a calm space where they can easily relax in.
- Regular walks, toilet trips and meals help pets feel secure, even if you’re feeling a little Grinchy after late-night celebrations, it will keep your four-legged friends happy.
- Watch out for stress signals. Pacing, panting or hiding are signs of anxiety that should be taken seriously.
Travel
- If you’re driving home for Christmas…make sure to secure dogs with a harness or crate during festive journeys. Untethered pets invalidate car insurance, so it’s better for everyone to make sure they’re secure.
- It also helps keep them safe and prevents distractions for the driver.
Festive smells and plants
- Essential oils such as tea tree, pine and eucalyptus may smell festive but can cause nausea and vomiting.
- Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe and lilies are all poisonous and in extreme cases, can all cause serious illness.
Fiona Pitchfork says: “Pets are truly part of the family and it’s always helpful to think about how we can make sure they enjoy the festive season too.
The best ways to keep pets happy and healthy over Christmas are similar to the advice we often hear for ourselves. Don’t let them overindulge, and don’t let them be tempted by food that might not be best for them.
When it comes to gifts, toys and decorations; base your choices on your pet’s behaviours and what they enjoy the most, but will also help keep them from getting into too much mischief. If they don’t seem to be into the festive fun, make sure they have somewhere to go and relax.
We hope this checklist helps make sure the only surprises you and your pets will have are from Santa Paws.”