The end of the year is a time to let our hair down and relax with family and friends as we embrace the Festive Season and all its merriment. But the very things that give this time of the year such fabulous flavour contribute to veterinary clinics seeing a considerable upswing in pet accidents and injuries in December. Here are our Top 7 Pet Hazards to watch out for and keep the furry family members well safe around:
Unusual Foods
Festive dinner tables groan under the weight of delicious goodies, but rich, fatty foods can play havoc with pets’ sensitive digestive systems. Also, be extra careful about keeping choccies out of the reach of curious furries. Chocolate (particularly the dark varieties with high cacao content) is highly poisonous to dogs and cats, even if consumed in relatively small amounts. Cats don’t generally enjoy sweeter flavours and tend to avoid chocolate, but dogs love the taste, just like we do. Ensure that guests in your home are aware that pets may not be fed leftovers or bones, and clear away kebab skewers immediately too.
Decorations and Candles
Cats are well-known for their apparent vendetta against Christmas trees. Ensure that your tree is well out of reach of your curious feline so that she cannot injure herself trying to climb in it, swallow tinsel or break decorations. Dogs also love to investigate decorations and often end up chewing or swallowing them. Many pets chew or get caught up in festive lights or their wiring, so exercise extreme caution with these items. If you use candles in your holiday observances or to set the mood, make sure that they’re well out of reach and never unattended, especially when pets are around. A wagging tail or a tap by a curious paw could end in disaster.
Festive Flowers
Many of the plants traditionally associated with Festive Season celebrations are highly toxic to pets. These include holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, and amaryllis. Lilies are potentially fatal to cats if licked or ingested. Pine needles can do serious damage if swallowed, and Christmas tree water may contain harmful bacteria.
Gates and Garage Doors
Chances are there will be all sorts of people traipsing around your property, with festive parties in full swing and relatives coming to stay. There’s always a danger of gates being left open by mistake and pets running out into the road. Leave the fur-kids inside or in a safe spot in the garden while guests are arriving and leaving. Ensure that everyone pays careful attention to where the animals are as they come and go on the property.
Alcohol
Most of us enjoy a tipple at this time of year to toast the festivities, but alcohol is problematic for pets in several ways. Not only is it highly poisonous to them if consumed, but alcohol can render pet parents less focused on the safety of their pets than they usually would be. If you’re planning an event that is likely to turn a bit raucous, perhaps consider moving pets to a friend or relative’s place to ensure that they feel safe and aren’t upset by an influx of strangers, loud music, etc
Water
In the Southern Hemisphere, the Festive Season presents the perfect opportunity for families to have loads of fun around the pool or at the beach. Many pets can swim and are used to doing so, but always keep a close eye on them – with the kids shrieking in delight, a concerned doggo may think they’re in danger and try to jump in to “save” them, only to find himself in deep water. Young and elderly animals, in particular, need extra-careful monitoring; many a curious pup, kitten and oldie with failing eyesight has misstepped and ended up in the pool.
Holiday Travel
If you’re planning a trip with your fur-babies over the holidays, ensure that:
- vaccinations are up to date,
- microchip details have been amended to include any changes in contact details,
- and that your pet has his collar and ID tag on at all times.
Take time to prepare for any journeys, ensuring that pets will be calm, comfortable and safely secured in the vehicle for the duration. If your pet is new to car travel, it would be worth going on a few shorter practice runs well ahead of the time (always accompanied by encouragement, rewards for calm behaviour, and a lot of patience with your furry friend). We are available to assist with recommendations on calming medications or supplements, safety gear, how to avoid car sickness, and anything you need to know about travelling with pets. And remember to source the details of the local veterinary clinics and after-hours emergency facilities at your destination beforehand so that there’s no panic in the event of an emergency in an unfamiliar location.
Whatever you and your fur-babies get up to this Festive Season, we wish you a safe time filled with fun experiences that deepen the human-animal bond more than ever. Happy Holidays!