Tips to keep your pets safe & healthy this Christmas!

18th December 2023

As the festive season unfolds with twinkling lights, hearty meals, and joyful gatherings, our furry companions join us in the merriment. However, amidst the cheerful ambiance, it’s crucial to ensure our pets’ safety and well-being during this jolly time of the year. Welcome to our Christmas blog, where we delve into essential tips and precautions to safeguard our beloved pets, making this holiday season not just merry but also safe and comfortable for our loyal companions. Join us as we explore the ways to keep tails wagging and purrs content while navigating through the potential hazards that may lurk amidst the festive cheer.

Around the house:

Decorations
Baubles, tinsel, string, Sellotape, ribbons and Christmas lights are just some of the things that can be potential hazards for your pets. Make sure to keep a close eye on them to ensure they are not chewing or swallowing any of these enticing objects. Keep these up high and out of reach where possible.

Festive plants
Deck the halls with boughs of holly? With pets around it is probably best that you don’t!
Many winter plants can be highly toxic to your pet if ingested. Such plants include Poinsettias, Holly Berries, Mistletoe, Amaryllis and Yew, with symptoms ranging from excessive salivation to vomiting and diarrhoea.

Children’s Toys
Of course, with Christmas comes an abundance of toys and with that, plenty of small parts for cats or dogs to swallow. Try to keep toys or games with small parts out the way of inquisitive mouths as, if sharp and ingested, they can cause gut perforations.

Foods to avoid:

Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, an ingredient toxic to pets. If ingested, theobromine can cause seizures, increased heart rate, diarrhoea, vomiting and even death, depending on the amount consumed by your pet. The general rule-of-thumb when determining this is that the darker the chocolate, the higher the level of theobromine.

Mince Pies & Christmas Pudding
Both of these contain raisins & sultanas which can cause kidney failure in pets.

Grapes
This also applies to grapes which may accompany a festive cheese board, which will certainly attract twitching noses of dogs, simply avoid and keep out of reach from pets.

Nuts
If ingested can pose a threat, with symptoms that can include overheating, weakness and vomiting.

Alcohol
If a cat or dog drinks alcohol it can cause serious health issues including tremors, seizures and even death. So keep any empty cans or leftover glasses away from where a pet can reach and be tempted to drink.

Bones
Cooked bones are a real hazard and can cause blockages or splinters in their stomach.

Sauces, oil & gravy
Cranberry sauce is very high in sugar, cooking oils are very fatty and gravy contains high levels of salt and often includes harmful ingredients such as onions and garlic.

Stuffing
Often contains onions and nuts which are to be avoided.

Pigs in blankets
These contain very high levels of salt and fat.

Stress Management:

Social gatherings
A large number of people and noise in your home can make your pet nervous and even anxious. If you are planning on having a get-together this Christmas then ensure your pet has their own safe-space, an area that is quiet and calming. You could even provide them with a few new toys as a distraction, which should make them less anxious.

Routine
Maintain your pet’s routine as much as possible. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the house, ensure they still receive their regular exercise, playtime, and rest.

By following these tips, you can ensure your pets remain safe, healthy, and content during the holiday season. Remember, while we indulge in festivities, our furry friends depend on us to safeguard their well-being. Wishing you and your pets a joyful and safe holiday season!

For more information on how to keep your pets safe and happy, click on the links below:

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/all-pets/christmas-survival-guide

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-care/christmas/

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/seasonal/christmas/petsafe