Introduction
It might be the “most wonderful time of the year” for us, but the Christmas season can hold a few hidden dangers for our pets. Don’t let this spoil your festive cheer, though – a few sensible steps should mean that your pets can enjoy Christmas safely!
Chocolate
Most people know that chocolate is poisonous to pets. Cats, dogs and rabbits can all be affected if they eat it. The toxic part of chocolate – compounds such as theobromine and caffeine – is found in cocoa. The darker the chocolate, the higher the cocoa content, and so the more toxic it is.
Pets can get chocolate poisoning from eating normal chocolate, but also from baked goods such as brownies or yule logs that are made using dark chocolate or cocoa powder.
White chocolate contains no cocoa and so is not actually poisonous in the same way as milk or dark chocolate. However, it still contains high amounts of sugar and fat, which can give our pets a nasty upset stomach – or even trigger pancreatitis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
Be sure to keep chocolatey treats out of reach of pets this Christmas, especially any tree decorations that might otherwise be at nose height. If you are concerned that your pet may have eaten some chocolate, call us straight away and we can advise you if they need to be seen.
Dried Fruit
Raisins and similar dried fruit are very poisonous to dogs, so any Christmas treats like mince pies, fruit cake or Christmas pudding can potentially be dangerous.
The toxic part of the fruit is thought to be tartaric acid, which can be found in the skin of grapes, and becomes more concentrated when they are dried to make raisins. This can cause sudden kidney failure, which sadly is often fatal.
Tartaric acid is a “non-dose-dependent” toxin, meaning that how sick a dog becomes is not directly related to how many raisins they swallow. Some dogs can eat a whole fruitcake without any issues, but others can go into kidney failure after just two or three raisins.
If you are concerned that your dog may have eaten some grapes or raisins, call us immediately and we can arrange an appointment.
Homemade Decorations
If you are looking to add a homemade touch to your Christmas tree this year, you might have come across salt dough decorations. These are great fun to make but need to be kept well out of reach of pets. Their salty flavour makes them interesting to our pets, but they contain so much salt that they can actually be poisonous if eaten.
Salt poisoning can lead to symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, muscle tremors, and (if enough salt has been eaten) eventually seizures, coma and death.
If you think your pet may have eaten some salt dough, call us straight away.
Ribbons
Cats and dogs may enjoy playing with ribbons (and it can be adorable!) but always make sure they are supervised. If a ribbon is swallowed, it can become stuck in the gut, causing them to “bunch up” and become blocked. This is very painful and sadly can lead to sepsis and death if left untreated.
For smaller pets, ribbons can also be a strangling hazard if it becomes tangled around their neck, or can cut off the blood supply if wrapped around a limb.
If you think your pet may have swallowed a ribbon, call us to discuss your options.
Christmas Lights
Lights may add a bit of Christmas sparkle, but they can be a tempting target for pets, too. In particular, house rabbits often enjoy chewing on wiring, as it looks and feels a lot like the stem of a plant. This can lead to your rabbit getting an electrical shock or burn, which can be very unpleasant for them.
Trailing cables can also be a strangling or tangling hazard, in the same way as ribbons.
If you think that your pet may have eaten any ribbon, call us for advice.
Decorative Plants
Poinsettia, with their vibrant red flowers and lush green foliage, are often exchanged as gifts around Christmas. They can look wonderful, but it’s best to keep them out of reach. If pets chew on the leaves, then they may eat some of the sap, which can lead to an upset stomach. Vomiting and diarrhoea are common symptoms, though thankfully there are rarely any more serious consequences.
Other decorative plants that can cause issues if swallowed are: mistletoe, holly, amaryllis, ivy, or yew. Pine needles from a Christmas tree can also cause issues if eaten in large quantities, particularly by rabbits, and they can pierce any pet’s paws if trodden on.
If you think your pet may have eaten a decorative plant, call us and we can advise you of your options.
Conclusion
Though there are some hidden dangers lurking over the Christmas period, a few simple safety precautions will allow your pets to stay happy and safe. However, if you do have any concerns, don’t hesitate to call and discuss them with one of our vets or nurses.
