Supposedly 75% of pet owners will buy their pets a present this Christmas and apparently two thirds of pet owners will spend as much on their pets as they will on their partners! There are certainly a staggering array of Christmas presents designed just for our four-legged friends, from the run of the mill squeaky reindeer toy to the more extravagant ‘thatched dog kennel’. However, Christmas can be a busy time for us vets for all the wrong reasons, so here is a list of things to watch out for and avoid:

Seasonal toxicities – Festive holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants all make an appearance at this time of year, all of which can be toxic to pets. Vomiting, diarrhoea and local irritation from ingestion are common.

Foods to avoid – Everyone knows chocolate can be bad for dogs so don’t make the mistake of leaving that chocolate orange wrapped under the tree for the dog to ‘discover’ on Christmas eve. Other foods on the ‘no go’ list are dried fruit and nuts, so beware of the Christmas pudding and mince pies. Some dogs are so sensitive to dried fruit that a handful of raisins or sultanas can cause serious kidney damage.

Christmas leftovers – It’s usually OK to give Fido or Fifi a little piece of turkey as a treat, but beware of the cooked bones! These become brittle and can fragment when eaten, which can cause serious gut damage or impaction. Fatty foods can also trigger a nasty condition called pancreatitis, so be very careful letting your furry friend finish off the ‘pigs-in-blankets’.

Ribbons, string and tinsel – Some of the most dangerous gut obstructions we see are caused by long string-like materials. Dogs eat the string from around the roast meat and cats play with and eat tinsel from the Christmas tree. These ‘linear foreign-bodies’ stretch out along the intestine, causing a cheese-wire type effect which can cause extensive damage and perforation to the intestine.

Poisons – It’s hard to underestimate the lethal effect of anti-freeze. It apparently has a sweet taste, which can appeal to cats and can easily be spilt from cars or on driveways. Even a small amount will cause irreversible kidney damage.

Still, for all those winter worries, Christmas should be a happy and fun occasion for the kids and pets alike. Treat your best friend to a new toy or a bag of festive treats, but all in moderation or else you won’t be the only one having to start the New Year on a diet!