Updated: 14/10/24
With Christmas just around the corner, we have compiled ten helpful tips to be aware of when keeping your pets safe and out of harms way this festive period:
On this page:
- Chocolate is poisonous to dogs
- Keep your pets safe around guests
- Provide a safe space
- Be sensible if sharing Christmas food
- Supervise pets around Christmas decorations
- Beware antifreeze poisoning
- Make sure Christmas plants aren’t eaten
- Check paws after walks
- Keep grapes, currants, sultanas and raisins out of reach
- Be cautious of gifts with small removable parts and batteries
1. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs
Chocolate contains theobromine (a compound poisonous to dogs).
How dangerous chocolate is depends on the type and amount eaten and the size and health of your dog.
If your dog has eaten chocolate, the best course of action is to contact your vet as soon as possible for advice.
2. Keep your pets safe around guests
If you are entertaining guests this Christmas, there are likely to be more people going in and out of your home.
Take care to ensure your guests know how to interact with your pets and that pets have somewhere quiet to go if they need time alone.
Legally, all cats and dogs must now be microchipped; keeping your registered contact details up to date brings peace of mind that they can be traced back to you if they are accidentally let out or escape.
3. Provide a safe space
During any celebration, it is sensible to ensure our pets have a safe place in which they can hide.
Examples include allowing cats to hide under a bed or up high, in an igloo bed or cardboard box, or for dogs, creating a den by placing a blanket over their crate or a table.
The main thing is to ensure that pets have a quiet, comfy place they can take themselves off to, which allows them to feel secure and where they won’t be disturbed.
4. Be sensible if sharing Christmas food
Be cautious about sharing Christmas food.
Turkey bones can potentially cause blockages and damage to your pet’s digestive tract.
High fat foods such as pigs in blankets can sometimes cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and onions (as part of the allium family of plants) are toxic to cats and dogs.
Alcohol is also toxic, so spills and left-over drinks should be cleaned away and safely disposed of.
If in doubt, the safest option is to feed pet safe treats instead!
5. Supervise pets around Christmas decorations
Although Christmas decorations help to set the scene, certain decorations may pose a risk to our pets.
For example, stringy decorations such as tinsel and decorative string can cause digestive blockages if eaten, and glass baubles may cut paws if smashed.
Christmas trees may resemble an exciting climbing frame to adventurous cats, so consider tethering the tree to secure it!
Keep inquisitive pets safe by supervising them and keeping them away from potential dangers.
6. Beware antifreeze poisoning
Ethylene glycol found in antifreeze is poisonous to cats and dogs and can be fatal if not treated immediately, so as a pet owner it is important to be aware of this as the weather gets colder.
Signs of antifreeze poisoning are vomiting, drooling, seeming drunk, having seizures and drinking and weeing more.
If you are worried that your pet is unwell or may have ingested antifreeze, contact your veterinary team as soon as possible for advice.
7. Make sure Christmas plants aren’t eaten
Did you know that certain Christmas plants can make your pets unwell if eaten? Keep poinsettia, ivy, holly and mistletoe out of reach to avoid stomach upsets.
Also discourage pets from chewing on the Christmas tree, as this too can cause digestive issues and sharp pine needles may cause irritation and damage.
If your pet eats something they shouldn’t, or develops vomiting or diarrhoea, then contact your veterinary practice for further support.
8. Check paws after walks
As the weather gets colder, paths and roads are commonly gritted to melt the ice.
However, this grit can sometimes irritate dogs’ paws, causing mild to, in some cases, more severe discomfort.
It’s sensible to avoid heavily gritted areas where possible, and thoroughly wipe your dog’s paws after walks or give their feet a quick rinse if needed.
If your dog is distressed after a walk or seems to be in pain, contact your veterinary practice for further advice.
9. Keep grapes, currants, sultanas and raisins out of reach
Grapes and their dried varieties are common at Christmas but toxic to dogs. The dried varieties of these fruits are often found in mince pies, Christmas pudding, stollen and fruit and nut mixes, so keep all these treats out of reach!
If your dog does accidentally eat something containing these foods, call you veterinary practice as soon as possible for advice.
10. Be cautious of gifts with small removable parts and batteries
With the excitement of Christmas morning, it’s not uncommon for children’s gifts to end up strewn about.
However, toys with small removable parts and items such as batteries may pose a real risk to your pets if eaten.
Take care to supervise pets and remove temptation by clearing up and moving gifts from the floor.
If items are accidentally eaten, please contact your veterinary practice for further advice.
If your pet is unwell over the festive period or has eaten something they shouldn’t have done, contact your veterinary practice for help and support.
Wishing you a safe and merry Christmas!
