{"id":36793,"date":"2021-12-15T13:03:53","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T12:03:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petspyjamas.com\/blog\/?p=36793"},"modified":"2021-12-15T13:10:27","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T12:10:27","slug":"how-to-keep-your-pets-safe-this-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petspyjamas.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-pets-safe-this-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep Your Pets Safe This Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all know it\u2019s the most wonderful time of the year, and it\u2019s certainly the season to be jolly. However, as pet owners, Christmas is also when we need to be alert and protect our four-legged loved ones against the unexpected dangers of the festive season.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to our friends at\u00a0<\/span>Vets Now<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0the UK\u2019s leading emergency vets, our homes harbour a multitude of hazards for our pets at Christmas time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave Leicester, head of telehealth at\u00a0Vets Now who looks after the <\/span>Video Vets Now<\/span><\/a> team, explains:<\/span><\/p>\n

“As a nation of pet lovers we all want to make sure our cherished companions join in with family Christmas celebrations, but at such a busy time of year for families, it\u2019s easy to overlook the many hazards which can put them at risk of injury or illness.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Vets Now anticipates a <\/span>97% rise in cases<\/b>1<\/b>\u00a0around Christmas and New Year with admissions from everything from accidental ingestion of raisins, chocolate, and tinsel to fairy light and candle burns. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day alone, Vets Now saw an 880% rise in emergency admissions from mince pie-eating dogs, compared with the rest of December.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe see more cases of raisin toxicity on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day than we do in an average month and that\u2019s why we want to raise awareness of the threat they can pose to dogs<\/em>\u201d adds Dave.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To prevent treats turning into treatment, Vets Now are helping to pet proof Christmas with their guide around the top festive watch outs, from food & drink to decorations and presents.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Festive treats<\/h3>\n

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Don\u2019t let festive treats turn to a trip to the hospital! Dozens of human foods are dangerous for dogs, with the most common being chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins \u2013 so beware of mince pies, Christmas cake, Panettone and especially anything containing chocolate. <\/span><\/p>\n

Vets Now has developed a chocolate calculator on its website to help pet owners determine necessity to see a vet: <\/span>www.vets-now.com\/christmas<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other things 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 \u2013 so be careful with things like Christmas stuffing and gravy and artificially sweetened treats.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your pet has eaten anything potentially harmful, like chocolate, grapes or raisins, you should call your vet for advice. Don\u2019t wait until the next day for advice either. If it\u2019s out of hours, it’s advised you contact an emergency vet as soon as possible, even if it\u2019s lunchtime on Christmas Day or midnight on New Year\u2019s Eve!\u00a0

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Unsure what food your dog can and can’t eat this Christmas? Take a sniff around our full list of Christmas food do’s and don’ts for dogs<\/a>.\u00a0

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Christmas trees

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Pets and Christmas trees aren’t a great mix! Pine needles can cause mild stomach upset, cuts to the paws and mouth and, in severe cases, even perforation of the intestines. For cats and puppies, trees can also be a huge temptation as a plaything.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To minimise any potential pet emergencies, vacuum daily, keep trees watered, use a strong base to hold it up, avoid shiny ornaments and attach those you do hang firmly on. Or, buy an artificial tree. It\u2019s worth considering keeping cats out of rooms with Christmas trees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Feastive decorations<\/h3>\n

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There\u2019s an abundance of other non-food Christmas pet hazards lurking in our festive homes. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n