Christmas is a joyous time of the year but let’s face it, you and your pets will have a much nicer time if you can avoid having to make a trip to your vet.
With all the fun and hard work that Christmas often entails it’s easy to be distracted and forget that this time brings a number of hazards for our pets.
But with a little care we can make sure they make it through safely.
First among the festive pitfalls is the tempting treat problem.
A number of our favourite foods can make our pets ill, sometimes very seriously so.
One of our top tips at Paragon is to make a list and pin it on the fridge – as a handy reminder to everyone during the Christmas festivities.
Here’s a poster that is available for you to download
The dangerous food list should include:
Chocolate
Even if it is wrapped and under a tree – or hanging on the tree – pets can sniff it out.
Our favourite human treat contains the stimulant theobromine which can cause seizures and heart rhythm abnormalities.
Christmas pudding, cake and mince pies
Raisins, sultanas and grapes are key ingredients in many Christmas treats and these can also be deadly if eaten.
They can cause acute kidney injury, which can lead to kidney failure.
Nuts
The nuts and shells can be a choking hazard and can also cause intestinal problems.
Macadamia nuts present an additional risk as ingestion has been associated with vomiting and weakness. They are toxic to dogs.
Xylitol
The sweetener is found in items such as sweets, cakes and some peanut butter.
Affected animals present with low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) leading to loss of coordination, collapse and seizures within half an hour of consumption. Liver failure can follow.
Onion, including gravy and stuffing
Onions, garlic and spring onions can cause gastrointestinal upset and lead to red blood cell damage and anaemia
Fatty foods
This includes gravy, stuffing and turkey skin.
Fatty foods can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed. This is incredibly painful and can be life-threatening.
Bones
They can splinter when chewed, and this can lead to the digestive tract being pierced or an obstruction.
Watch out for the turkey carcass which contains bones which can splinter and cause internal injuries and needs to be disposed of safely.
Alcohol
And don’t forget alcohol is also toxic for pets.
What you can do
If your pet does eat any of these foods, it is advisable to consult your vet right away, regardless of when it happens – including Christmas Day.
They may administer medication to make your pet vomit, to remove the foodstuff from the stomach and prevent it being absorbed.
Other hazards
It’s not just food which brings pets to vets every Christmas.
You will need to keep your animals safe from these other Christmas hazards
- Grit or rock salt (wipe their paws so they don’t lick it off)
- Tinsel and ribbons (which can be swallowed causing blockages)
- Baubles and fairy lights (enticing to cats and dogs they can cause lacerations, blockages, and electrocution)
- Poinsettia
- Holly, ivy and mistletoe (which are poisonous and can be deadly)
- Toys (which can be chewed and swallowed)
- Batteries (which can cause chemical burns and poisoning)
Contented pets make for a more relaxing Christmas.
You can help achieve this by maintaining your pets’ normal routine and feeding and exercising them at the usual times.
Exercise is important for dogs to be in a calm and balanced frame of mind. And it works for humans too!
If you suspect your pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t, even over the festive period, please call us as soon as possible on 01228 710208.
Our on-call vet will be available for emergencies.
