Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! From the whole Goddard Veterinary Group Team 💙 💙 💙
Day 24: Sugar-free sweets
Sugar-free sweets and mints often contain xylitol, a chemical toxic to pets. Ingesting xylitol can lead to insulin release, causing hypoglycemia, seizures, and even liver failure in dogs. Swift veterinary attention is crucial if accidental ingestion occurs, making it imperative to keep these treats out of reach from pets during the holidays.
Day 23: Salt
Due to the high levels of salt needed to make salt dough, ingestion of just one of these homemade decorations is enough to cause serious poisoning. Also, be cautious of salt-gritted pavements when walking your dog, always wipe their feet thoroughly once home.
Day 22: Safe space
If your house is full of guests, ensure that your pets have a quiet area where they won’t be disturbed. Options include allowing cats to hide under a bed or creating a den for dogs by placing a blanket over their crate. Having pets microchipped also brings peace of mind, as they can be traced back to you if they are accidentally let out or escape.
Day 21: Raisins and sultanas
Grapes and the dried fruit found in mince pies, fruit and nut mix, stollen and Christmas pudding are toxic to dogs, so keep these treats out of reach! If your dog does accidentally eat something containing these foods, call us as soon as possible.
Day 20: Onions and garlic
Did you know that onions and their relatives are toxic to dogs and cats? Even one or two garlic cloves can be enough to cause serious problems in a cat. Gravy is often a sneaky culprit at Christmas time as instant gravy can contain a high amount of onion/garlic powder.
Day 19: Nicotine
Nicotine poisoning can occur in pets so keep cigarettes and vapes out of reach — the flavoured liquid used in E-cigarettes can be particularly attractive to dogs.
Day 18: Mouldy food
Mould ingestion can be lethal to pets. It usually happens when dogs raid the kitchen waste recycling caddy, so keep them out of reach this Christmas period when there is likely to be an increase in food waste.
Day 17: Mistletoe
Causes stomach problems and may cause skin irritation.
Day 16: Holly berries
Can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive salivation and weakness in dogs.
Day 15: Human medication
Pets near human medications during the festive season face serious hazards. Open pill bottles or unattended medications pose risks of accidental ingestion, leading to toxicity. Common holiday medications, like pain relievers or cold remedies, can be harmful to pets.
Day 14: Gifts containing food
Keep pets away from food-containing gifts to avoid potential hazards. Festive treats may contain ingredients harmful to pets, posing risks like digestive issues or choking. Store these gifts securely to ensure a safe and joyful holiday season for everyone.
Day 13: Flowers and plants
Keep poinsettia, ivy, holly and mistletoe out of reach to avoid stomach upsets, and discourage pets from chewing on the Christmas tree. Contact us if your pet eats something they shouldn’t, or develops vomiting or diarrhoea.
Day 12: Fireworks
If your pet is frightened of New Year’s Eve fireworks, speak to your vet in advance for advice. Keep them safely indoors, close the curtains, and turn on the TV to block out the noise.
Day 11: Decorations
If you are decorating your house this week beware of the potential dangers to your pet. Pets can be attracted to shiny lights, tinsel, and baubles! Swallowed or chewed decorations can lead to cuts or intestinal blockages, and chewed fairy lights can pose an electrocution risk.
Day 10: Cooked bones
Turkey, chicken, lamb, beef, and pork bones that are cooked can easily splinter and perforate your dog’s stomach. They are dangerous and should never be fed to a dog.
Day 9: Cold weather
When walking your dog in ice and snow, do not let it off the lead and avoid walking in areas where ponds or lakes may have frozen over – animals often don’t understand the difference between solid ground and ice and can fall through. In this situation, vets urge owners to call the emergency services for professional help rather than going in after their pet. Although distressing, it is never worth risking your own life as well as your dog’s. It’s also important to wipe your dog’s paws and belly on returning home from a snowy walk to remove any ice or salt and to regularly check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
Day 8: Christmas tree
Christmas trees can present hazards for pets during the holidays. While the tree itself is typically non-toxic, pine needles may cause discomfort if lodged in pets' feet. Additionally, curious pets might attempt to chew on or ingest tree needles, leading to digestive issues. To ensure a safe festive environment, regularly clean up fallen needles, choose pet-friendly decorations, and securely anchor the tree to prevent tipping, especially if you have inquisitive cats that may be tempted to jump on it.
Day 7: Christmas crackers
Christmas crackers can be a pet concern during the holidays. While not toxic, the loud pop and enticing smells may intrigue pets. Curious animals might accidentally ingest small parts or get stressed by the noise. To keep festivities pet-friendly, be mindful of where you place crackers, and consider pet-safe alternatives to ensure a joyous and stress-free Christmas for all.
Day 6: Chocolate
Keep those Christmas chocolates out of your pet's reach! Chocolate is poisonous to pets, and dogs are usually the main culprits. Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine which dogs and cats are unable to process properly. Theobromine acts as a stimulant leading to clinical signs of:
🚨 vomiting and diarrhoea
🚨 increased thirst/urination
🚨 hyperexcitability/agitation
🚨 rapid heart rate
🚨 seizures
The darker the chocolate the higher the theobromine content therefore the more toxic it is. White chocolate is safe however it may cause gastrointestinal upset due to its high fat content.
