As I was enjoying a quick lunchtime walk with the dogs the other day, I received an urgent call from the clinic – a dog had just eaten a decent quantity of chocolate cake and the owner was rightly concerned about whether it might cause a problem. A medically induced vomit later and the chocolate was out of its system before any harm was done. Now that Christmas is approaching, cases of ‘chocolate toxicity’ increase along with all those naughty festive treats.

Chocolate is not the only evil
Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs – even a small amount of dark chocolate can make a small dog very sick. But chocolate is not the only evil. Other foods that dogs don’t always tolerate include dried fruit such as raisins (avoid the Christmas pudding), which can cause serious kidney problems. Then there are the rich, fatty left-overs from Christmas dinner, which are often tipped into Fido’s bowl, triggering stomach upsets or pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.

Some festive plants can also be quite toxic. Poinsettias, holly and mistletoe are all potentially poisonous and even small amounts ingested can cause gastrointestinal problems. Mistletoe berries are particularly lethal. One of the nastiest toxins we see in winter though is antifreeze. It is supposedly quite sweet, and cats are particularly prone to licking it up from driveways. It causes devastating kidney damage and is one of the saddest and most frustrating toxicities to treat. If you do spill any, make sure you clean it up thoroughly.

Kittens love playing with decorations
If you have young cats, you can expect them to have great fun with your Christmas tree, which to them is like an indoor climbing frame. They love playing with the decorations, but tinsel, string and ribbons are all too common causes of intestinal blockages, so be wary if they are playing with them.

The colder weather often exacerbates arthritis and hampers the mobility of older pets. Fortunately, there is plenty that can be done for a stiff old dog or cat, so if they are particularly affected this winter talk to your vet about treatment options.

Ultimately, Christmas should be a time of fun for you and your pets, but one final thought – will you be one of the supposed 2/3 pet owners who spend the same amount or more on presents for your pets than your partner? I’m hoping my wife isn’t!