At Christmas we need to be mindful of any harmful foods, toxic plants and decorations that can potentially make our pets sick. By being aware of these common dangers, you’ll keep your pet happy and out of harm’s way over the festive season. Read more to find out what they are and what you can do to avoid them...
Although Christmas is a happy, cheerful occasion for all the family, it’s also one of the busiest times of year for veterinarians across the world. We all love our Christmas traditions, but they can pose a serious risk to our pets.
At this time of the year especially, we need to be mindful of any harmful foods, toxic plants and decorations that can potentially make our pets sick. By being aware of these five common dangers, you’ll keep your pet happy and out of harm’s way over the festive season.
Festive Foods
Christmas is a time for indulgence. But you should be careful not to leave any foods lying around that could make your pet ill. Foods such as chocolate, grapes, mince pies and Christmas Cake with raisins, salt, mouldy cheeses, products with artificial sweetners such as xylitol and alcohol are common this time of year but are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.
Dark chocolate is particularly dangerous, which contains high amounts of theobromine. Click here for a helpful guide on what to do if your dog eats chocolate, from our friends at Adored Beast.
It may seem like a nice treat for your pet, but you should never feed cooked turkey bones -- or any cooked bones for that matter! These can easily splinter and cause obstructions and lacerations in the throat or intestinal tract.
Avoid giving your pet any leftovers or scraps from the table too. Even foods that are considered reasonably safe for your pet can cause an upset tummy if fed in large quantities. Little pieces throughout the day can amount to a lot, and too much fatty food could lead to pancreatitis.
There is also an abundance of over-processed dog treats on the market, especially at Christmas. You should avoid rawhide chews as these can be exceptionally difficult for your dog to digest, and can cause dangerous obstructions in your dog's intestinal tract. They are also often bleached and chemically dyed, while these may look appealing and festive, your dog shouldn't be ingesting the toxic chemicals used in this process.
Why not check out our range of all-natural dog chews and bones for a healthier, safer option this Christmas? For an even longer-lasting treat, our range of chew toys for dogs are all non-toxic, from our BPA and Phlalate-free West Paw range to our 100% natural Green & Wild's antler, horn and wood chews.
Remember that some commercially available festive dog treats can be highly processed and have little benefit other than possibly causing your dog to have an upset tummy, which no one wants during the festive season! Save yourself some stress and opt for a healthier option with our natural Christmas dog treats.
Christmas Plants
Many of us like to decorate our homes with festive plants at Christmas, but bear in mind some plants can be toxic to pets. Popular Christmas plants like Poinsettia, Holly, Mistletoe and Cyclamen can cause vomiting and diarrhoea if ingested. Pot Pourri can also cause GI upset if ingested.
Check out the Blue Cross list of toxic plants for dogs for a full rundown of what to avoid. If you must have these plants in your home at Christmas, just ensure they’re well out of reach.
Christmas Decorations
Various Christmas decorations can be dangerous for cats and dogs. Sparkly tinsel can be irresistible to our pets but can cause an intestinal obstruction if eaten. Curious pets could also become tangled in tree lights or electrocuted if they’re chewed on.
Shop around for baubles and ornaments that are durable, shatterproof, and made of 100% plastic (or even better, an eco-friendly, non-shatterable alternative!), as broken baubles can cause cuts and damage to internal organs if eaten. Ensure your tree is secure with a sturdy base so it can’t be pulled or knocked over. If you want to go the extra mile to make your tree more pet safe, raise it up on a table or construct a barrier around it.
Pine needles from real trees can also cause issues with paws, needles are sharp and can become embedded with the dog’s paw, especially with puppies where the paws and pads are still very soft. Pine needles can be ingested, and this can also upset your pet’s stomach and damage their intestines if eaten. Whatever tree you have this Christmas, ensure that there is a barrier to the tree or close supervision when your dog is near to the tree, a sparkly "new" Christmas tree is temptation even for the most sensible dog!
Candles are a popular choice this time of year, but could burn your pet or cause a fire if left unattended.
Presents and Packaging
Gift giving is a major part of Christmas, but wrapping paper, ribbons and plastic packaging can all cause an obstruction if ingested. Silica gel (the small sachet found in many toys, clothes and bags) is highly toxic to pets if eaten. During the busy Christmas period, it's much easier for our pets to get their paws on something they shouldn't!
Batteries are also widespread around Christmas but can cause chemical burns to your pet’s mouth and intestines if punctured. Be sure to clear away gift packaging as you go along to avoid any mishaps or accidents this Christmas.
We also like to place our presents under the tree before the big day, it makes us all feel Christmassy. Be aware this could lead to temptation and presents may be chewed, especially ones that may have a nice smell! Precautions may need to be taken to stop curious paws from starting on the unwrapping early.
Overwhelm
With guests coming and going, Christmas can be overwhelming for our pets. Raised voices, music, fireworks and crackers can make our pets stressed and anxious. Ensure you give your pet a quiet, comfortable place to relax away from the chaos.
If your pet gets particularly anxious around other people, you can try calming supplements, sprays or diffusers. These calming support supplements offer a natural way to help keep your pet’s anxieties at bay. Most of these products are suitable for both cats and dogs and can be used daily to help soothe and relax your pet.
Keep to your routine as much as possible, feed and walk as close to your dog’s normal times as you can.
Allow your dog timeout away from the hustle and bustle of the busy festive days. Encourage your dog to relax with with some enrichment; try a West Paw Toppl stuffed with their favourite treats, or a Lickimat topped with some tasty pate. These enrichment toys provide a good distraction for when you are all opening presents or want to watch a Christmas movie!
We hope you and your pets have a safe and jolly holiday.
Merry Christmas from the Healthful Pets Team!
