Tips to keep pets well this festive time

ANIMAL experts are encouraging pet owners to be wary of festive treats which could put their furry friend in danger.

New figures show 79% of vets in the East Midlands saw at least one case of pet poisoning from Christmas food or fripperies.

They survey, conducted by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) revealed chocolate poisoning remains the most common cause of toxic ingestion at Christmas for dogs - with 72% of local vets seeing at least one case.

There has also been a spike in raisin or sultana poisoning over the past two years, with 52% vets reporting treating a case during last year’s festive season.

Many cats also suffered toxic ingestion last Christmas, with 45% vets in the East Midlands having treated cats for antifreeze poisoning.

To keep Christmas merry for the whole household follow these five simple tips:

Protect your pet from poisons - treats and traditions, such as chocolate, raisins, xylitol (found in sugar free treats), nuts, grapes, liquorice, poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are toxic to cats and dogs.

Keep decorations out of reach - ribbons, wrapping paper, baubles, tinsel and tree lights can prove irresistible to cats and 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 and stomach.

Forget festive food for pets - fatty foods and Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared. They can trigger sickness and diarrhoea or other conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis. Bones including turkey bones should not be given to pets as they can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.

And don’t give too many treats - even pet friendly ones.