Christmas is a time filled with fun, food and family, and your precious pets are also a part of the family. Whilst we all love to enjoy the festive season, this time of year can bring a range of new hazards for our furry friends. With so many new objects around the house, from toxic treats to dangerous decorations, putting the right preventative measures in place is crucial to keep your pets safe.
In this blog, we’ll go through the main factors to consider for pet safety at Christmas and the practical tips to ensure your pets can enjoy the holidays in comfort and safety.
Safety with pets in the kitchen
If you’re cooking a big Christmas dinner, the kitchen can get hectic, and pets can become a dangerous distraction. It’s not difficult to find yourself tripping over a dog or cat in a busy kitchen, but holding hot pans and food can make the experience risky for both you and your pet. To avoid any injuries for all parties, keep pets secured when cooking your big Christmas meal.
Avoid choking hazards and poisonous foods
There are so many toys and treats around the home at Christmas that can pose a risk to pets if left unattended. It’s not uncommon to eat things they shouldn’t, and your cat or dog can easily snuff out chocolate, sweets or small toys and wrappers to chew on. Anything small enough for your furry friends to put in their mouths should be kept well out of reach, and chocolates and sweets should be kept hidden or locked away. It’s no secret that chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats, and it can have devastating effects if consumed.
If you want to treat your furry family members to a festive dinner of their own, it is safe to give them small amounts of leftover meat, but this must be checked to ensure no small bones or gristle are present that could cause choking.
Choose the appropriate Christmas toys
We often love to gift our pets presents just as we would with family members, but it’s important that these are safe and suitable. Always buy dog toys or cat toys that are specially designed for pets. Many items, like children’s toys or household objects, that your pets might like to play with, can contain harmful chemicals or pose a choking hazard. There are so many pet gifts available for all sorts of animals at Christmas, from rabbits to horses, so you’re never short of safe options.
Pet-proof the Christmas tree
It’s common knowledge that our pets, cats in particular, love to play with the Christmas tree. The bright lights and big baubles can draw in your pets, but these colourful decorations can prove harmful. Not only are these objects a choking hazard, but when broken, baubles can be sharp and cause injuries. Ingesting glitter from any decorations can also cause digestive issues, so it’s always best to keep your tree away from pets.
You can keep smaller trees in high-up places out of reach, use sprays with scents your pet doesn’t like to deter them, like lemon, or consider alternative decorations to save the fuss and keep your pets safe.
Stay aware of dangerous festive plants
During the winter months, many different plants come into bloom, and popular seasonal flowers enter our homes. Unfortunately for pet owners, many of these plants are poisonous to pets. The traditional Christmas plants, holly, ivy and mistletoe are all toxic to our cats and dogs if ingested and can cause a range of issues, including vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and in serious cases, heart and respiratory issues.
Opt for fake wreaths, trees and floral decorations. Not only will these last longer for annual use, but they also ensure your precious pets stay safe from dangerous plants.
Be aware of ice, snow and cold weather.
Most cats and dogs grow winter coats to allow them to adapt better to colder weather; however, there are times when the weather is too extreme for your pets to be safe outside. You may want to let your pets outside to get some fresh air and enrichment, but it can be too cold for your dog or cat to be outside without risk of illness.
Our pets’ ears and paws are vulnerable to frostbite, as these areas have the least fur to protect them. Consider using dog coats or jackets if you’re taking your dog out or booties for their feet if they will wear them.
Intense snowstorms can also occur around Christmas time and create damage like fallen trees, frozen lakes and unstable ground that are unsafe for both humans and animals.
If you feel like it’s too cold for you to venture outside for a walk, it’s best to keep your pets home safe and warm as well.
Be cautious of antifreeze
Antifreeze becomes more popular in winter as we need to get our cars ready for morning drives, but this substance is incredibly dangerous to pets. This alcohol derivative is attractive to pets for its sweet smell and flavour. As a result, a range of animals, including our pets, can be tempted into drinking it. Antifreeze is highly toxic and can cause fatal damage to the kidneys within a matter of hours. If you suspect that your pet has ingested antifreeze, it is important that you seek medical aid immediately.
If you use antifreeze, be on the lookout for greenish-blue puddles forming around your car, as this might indicate a leak.
Use candles and fireplaces safely
Christmas is a time when many of us like to get cosy by the fireplace or create a warm environment with candles in our favourite festive scents. Whilst we love the allure of an open flame, so do many of our pets, and this can have dangerous results.
It’s no secret that cats love to jump on surfaces and tables, and placing lit candles around cats is a huge fire and burn risk should they jump up and knock over a candle or touch it with their flammable fur. Consider using LED candles that offer the same realistic flickering feel or keeping candles in protective containers, on high, sturdy surfaces out of reach from your pets.
Cats and dogs both love snuggling up by the hearth, but you must ensure that fireplace guards are used and are secure. Not only can your furry friend get too close to the fire, but embers can also pop, causing singes and burns to animals sleeping nearby.
Enjoy safe, festive fun with your pets at Christmas
The festive season can be hectic and full of people, presents and food, making it easy to forget to pay extra attention to our pets. With the right protective measures and caution around Christmas, you can ensure your home is safe for both your pets and your guests.
If you’re looking for more advice on how to care for your pets, take a look at our dedicated blog, or alternatively, you can get in touch with our VetUK experts. We have the knowledge to advise on a range of animals and can direct you to the best products to keep your beloved pets happy for the holidays.
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