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Keeping Pets Safe at Christmas

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The Christmas period can bring a lot of excitement, from presents and Christmas dinner on the day itself, to social gatherings, frosty walks, decorating the house and nights in front of the fire. For those of us with pets we often want them to join in the fun – and they can certainly enjoy us having some extra time at home! However, the holiday period can also bring some hazards with it, so read on to make sure your pet has their best (and safest) Christmas yet!

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Food Dangers

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Over-indulgence is commonplace over the holidays, and while we can decide whether we really need a bit more cake, our pets will often accept whatever’s on offer. For most dogs, a small Christmas dinner won’t harm them but keep to plain meat and veg without salt or sauces. Some dogs are prone to tummy upsets with changes in diet, in which case avoid the temptation to share – they'd rather miss joining in than spend the night dashing out to the toilet. Dogs that are prone to pancreatitis should also give the treats a miss as fatty food is a known trigger for flair-ups.

Some foods we have around at Christmas pose significantly more danger than an upset stomach.

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Chocolate

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Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. The amount of theobromine increases in relation to the cocoa content, and the danger is dose dependent (meaning bigger quantities are more harmful). This means the biggest risk is for small dogs eating dark chocolate. In low doses, theobromine causes gastrointestinal upset and restlessness, but in higher doses it can cause fever, cardiac arrhythmias and even seizures.

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Raisins

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Raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, so keep them away from fruit cake, mince pies and Christmas pudding. The mechanism of toxicity of raisins is still poorly understood, so unlike chocolate, even small quantities are still considered dangerous.

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Alcohol

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Alcohol is toxic to dogs and cats; although they rarely drink it, around Christmas we tend to have far more food items with high alcohol content. Alcohol toxicity can cause gastrointestinal signs, disorientation, heart and breathing problems, seizures and even death.

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Risks Around the House

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There are lots of new things in the house at Christmas; decorations, wrapping paper, new toys and lots of boxes to play in. While older animals may show a bit more sense, puppies and kittens are often into everything and may be delighted by all the new things to explore. Unfortunately, some things around the house can pose more risk than others, so to keep your pets safe, consider the following:

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Christmas decorations

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Decorations should always be kept out of reach of pets. If chewed or swallowed, foreign objects can cause damage to the intestines or even a life-threatening obstruction. Cats in particular are often drawn to tinsel; though this can be extremely dangerous if swallowed and may require emergency surgery. Make sure baubles are shatter-proof to avoid cut paws, and keep plants such as holly, mistletoe and poinsettias well out of reach – if ingested these will all cause gastrointestinal upset.

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Electric wires

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If chewed, electric wires can cause burns or even electrocution. Even just exploring new wires during play can cause accidents if they are pulled. If you need extra wires for lights or decorations, make sure any cables are kept hidden or out of reach of curious pets.

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Batteries

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If you have children, a supply of batteries ready for Christmas morning is sensible – but keep them out of reach of pets! If chewed or swallowed, batteries can cause chemical burns or toxicity due to the heavy metals inside them.

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Lilies

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Lilies may make beautiful displays, but they are extremely toxic to cats, causing kidney failure. Most cases of toxicity occur from cats rubbing past the flowers than unintentionally ingesting the pollen when they groom themselves, so even cats that don’t chew things are at risk. Small amounts of pollen are enough to cause irreversible damage, so we would recommend avoiding having lilies in the house at all if you have cats.

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Antifreeze

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Although not an item always found in the house, over winter we are much more likely to have antifreeze around the garage or garden. Ethylene glycol, the toxic chemical in antifreeze, is sweet tasting so cats and dogs are often inclined to ingest it. Once in the body, ethylene glycol creates crystals that damage the kidneys, and cases are almost always fatal. If you use antifreeze, always make sure it is kept well out of reach and any spills are cleaned up immediately.

Paying attention to these potential risks should ensure you and your pets have a safe and happy festive season. If you are concerned about your pet, do give your practice a call. If they have eaten something they shouldn’t, they can usually be given an injection to induce vomiting, provided it is within four hours of ingestion. Fast action can be enough to avoid toxicity, so don’t be tempted to just hope for the best!

If you are concerned about your pet over the festive period and need to see a vet, we've put together some information on how to get veterinary care over the holidays.