We all love Christmas, but it can also be the time we see more dogs (and occasionally cats!) for being on the naughty list.

Here’s what to look out for:

Toxic Food And Treats

Christmas feasts often feature rich, decadent foods that are dangerous for pets. Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine are similar in that their toxicity concerns stem from their methylxanthine concentrations (a group of compounds found in these products). When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause –

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Panting
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Hyperactivity
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Tremors
• Seizures

The darker the chocolate(higher cacao percentage), or the higher the caffeine content, the greater the risk for toxicity. White chocolate has the lowest methylxanthine content while baking chocolate and cocoa powder have the highest concentrations. Wrappers and boxes can also be a risk as pets may ingest them whilst trying to get to sweet treats so it’s important to keep all hazards out of reach.

As tempting as it can be to offer your pet their own roast dinner, rich foods can result in vomiting and diarrhoea or even pancreatitis.

Similarly, grapes and raisins, often found in mince pies and Christmas cake, are highly toxic to pets and can lead to kidney failure. Other foods to watch for include Onion, garlic and chives – these are members of the Allium species of vegetables. Allium species can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage, which can lead to anaemia (low red blood cells). Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk depending on the amount ingested.

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations help build the festive atmosphere, but they can also be a tempting toy or chew for your pets. Cats can often eat the string tinsel and both dogs and cats are at risk of an intestinal blockage if decorations are ingested. Tree lights can be chewed risking electric shock, and glass ornaments broken. If in doubt, fence it off! Small ornaments, particularly those containing batteries, that are at risk of being chewed should also be kept out of reach.

Many plants associated with Christmas are toxic to pets. Poinsettias can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. Mistletoe can also cause clinical signs. Ingesting these plants can cause severe symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, and even organ failure in very extreme cases.

To prevent your pet from nibbling on holiday plants, consider using artificial versions or placing real plants in locations that are inaccessible to your pet. If your pet does ingest a potentially harmful plant, contact your vet immediately.

Stress

The tree is new, there are guests, routine is out of the window. Whist for us this is great, for our pets it can be stressful. Give pets a safe space to get away if they need it. Anxious/nervous dog? Christmas is a high risk time for bites – repeated stressful events (such as guests multiple times in a row) can lead to ‘trigger stacking’ – the risk of our pets responding over the top to a situation as they have been repeatedly overwhelmed. Try to keep their routine as normal as possible, use barriers to prevent over excited children or visitors overwhelming them and ensure they get enough exercise.  If you feel that your pet may need extra support and require medication, please speak to your vet.

While Christmas is a magical time, it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards for pets. By taking precautions with food, decorations, plants, and your pet’s environment, you can ensure they stay safe and happy throughout the festive season. A little extra care and attention will allow both you and your pet to enjoy the festivities without worry.