21/12/2023
Top tips for keeping Christmas hazard-free for dogs:
1. Protect your pet from poisons: A range of festive treats & traditions, such as chocolate in advent calendars & sweets, raisins, xylitol (found in sugar-free treats), nuts, grapes, liquorice, poinsettia, holly & mistletoe are toxic to dogs.
2. Keep decorations out of reach: Ribbons, wrapping paper, baubles, tinsel & tree lights can seem like appealing playthings to cats & dogs but can be very dangerous if broken, chewed or swallowed. Batteries for Christmas gifts also need to be kept safe as, if ingested, they may cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat & stomach.
3. Forget festive food for pets: We all enjoy a richer diet over Christmas, but fatty foods & Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared with the animals of the household. They can trigger sickness & diarrhoea or other conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis, so try to stick to your pet’s regular diet & routine. Too many treats can also lead to pet obesity.
4. Keep away the bones: Cooked bones, including turkey bones, should not be given to pets as they can splinter & puncture the digestive tract. They can also cause serious constipation requiring emergency intervention.
5. Stranger danger: With unfamiliar visitors ringing doorbells, popping in, or even staying a few days this can often increase stress levels for dogs. Please always make sure there's a safe space (quiet room or den) available for them to destress, consider pheromone plug-ins, don't play music or karaoke too loud & party poppers can cause anxiety too. Remember kids also need to be trained to safely approach/be around dogs to help prevent dog bites plus trip to A&E over Christmas.
6. Rock salt/grit on roads: If dogs get it on their paws or fur their inclination will be to lick or chew it off, but this poses a risk. Ingestion of salt by pets can result in a high blood sodium concentration & this can lead to vomiting, lethargy, convulsions & kidney damage. After walks don't forget to wipe your dog's feet & clean any exposed fur (such as on their legs or tummy).
Happy Christmas