PET PROOF your Christmas

The ultimate expert guide to keep furry friends merry and bright over the festive season

Christmas brings much joy to all, but with it also comes increased risks for our pets. From festive food and drink to decorations and even gifts, our homes harbour a myriad of potential hazards for pets at Christmas.

With over half of the country owning a pet, the UK’S leading emergency vets, Vets Now, sees cases spike over the festive season – with cases up by over 120% in 2022*.

To help keep pets safe and owners in the know, the expert team at Vets Now has shared some top tips to pet proof your Christmas.

Whether you are a cat or dog pawrent, read on to stay informed about hidden hazards of Christmas – to ensure an accident-free festive season...

FOOD AND DRINK

Christmas is a time full of treats, but many festive foods are harmful to our pets. 9 out of 10 poisonings happen whilst at home and 5.5M dog owners unknowingly feed their pets harmful foods at Christmas.

It’s important to be mindful, aware and one step ahead. If you’re not sure if pets should eat something, the best advice is always to avoid giving them food intended for humans.

Make sure dangerous foods are kept well out of reach so your pet can’t access these items unknowingly. Always ensure leftovers are carefully disposed of and chocolate gifts aren’t left under the tree.

With festivities in full swing, it can be diffcult always to have an eye on your pets, however some good habits can be implemented to mitigate any pet emergencies. One of the best ways to avoid accidents is to know what your pet should avoid, so if you do have items in the house you can keep them out of reach from cats and dogs.

Dozens of human foods are dangerous for dogs, with the most common being chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins – so beware of mince pies, Christmas cake and panettone. Others that could see you spending your Christmas in the pet emergency room include xylitol (a common sugar substitute), alcohol, caffeine, onions, garlic, blue cheese and anything high in salt or fat – so be careful with things like Christmas stuffng, gravy and artificially sweetened treats.

Cooked bones can pierce a dog’s digestive tract or cause an obstruction, so always ensure all meat is kept on the kitchen surface and carcasses in the outside bin.

If your pet has eaten anything potentially harmful you should call your vet for advice as soon as possible. You can also use the Vets Now online ‘chocolate calculator’ to work out if you need to see a vet.

BEWARE OF THE DECS

No Christmas home is complete without the star of the show – the twinkling tree! But it’s not just festive treats that are hazardous for our pets - Christmas decorations, gifts under the tree, wrapping paper and even snow globes can all cause injury and illness.

To keep the tree as risk-free as possible for pets, follow Vets Now’s top tips...

Real Christmas trees

The pine smell of a real tree is welcoming, yet pine needles under the tree can be ingested by pets, causing stomach upsets, cuts to paws and mouth and in severe cases – perforation of the intestines. Vacuum daily and keep trees watered, use a strong base to hold it up and make sure decorations are hung up firmly. It’s always worth considering keeping cats out of rooms with Christmas trees in them if possible.

Fairy lights

Lots of wires can be tempting for pets to chew on and play with, which can cause burns or electric shocks. Avoid harm by keeping cables tidied away and turned off whenever possible. Use an extension cord that shuts off automatically when damaged and tape any loose wires to the floor.

Ornaments, baubles and tree decorations

Mitigate any risk by hanging baubles high up on the tree, out of reach of mischievous pets. Consciously opt for shatterproof/pet-friendly baubles to avoid any harm.

Gifts

Under the tree, a pile of presents looks welcoming to humans – and they can also prove tempting for curious pets. Consider storing gifts elsewhere so your four-legged friends aren’t enticed to play with them. Wrapping paper has low toxicity but can cause intestinal blockages if eaten.

Tinsel, lametta, string beads, ribbon

As beautiful as these decorations look, they too attract the attention of pets. If ingested, they can cause havoc for cats and dogs as they get stuck in their intestines. Place these decorations out of reach on higher branches, or replace with an alternative.

Poisonous festive plants

Seasonal plants (poinsettia, mistletoe, lilies, ivy and potpourri) are mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Reduce unwarranted worry and place in unreachable spots.

Candles

Hot wax is dangerous to delicate paws - ensure lit candles are never left unattended and pets are always supervised around them. For extra precaution, place candles in inaccessible lanterns or opt for battery-powered ones.

Snow globes

Imported versions can contain antifreeze – and as little as one 5ml teaspoon can be fatal for a cat and a tablespoon could be fatal for dogs.

Salt dough ornaments

The mix of flour and salt with water can cause a potentially fatal salt toxicosis if ingested by your pet

Batteries

From gadgets or children’s toys can cause serious internal burns if swallowed by pets.