Keeping your pet safe during Christmas
KEEPING YOUR PET SAFE DURING CHRISTMAS TIME
Christmas time is a joyous, fun and great way to get everyone together, including our pets! It is very important to make sure what they are eating is safe. Here are a few tips to enjoy a stress-free Christmas!
Hazardous and Toxic Foods:
Christmas time means lots of delicious food, but we need to make sure that if anything shared with our furry friends is nice and safe for them. Some common toxic and harmful foods during Christmas time include:
Grapes, raisins and currents:
Although grapes, raisins and currents are a yummy snack and great treat for the fruit platter or in baked goods, they are highly toxic to dogs. They can all cause kidney failure which can be fatal. Even one grape, raisin or current can cause a toxicosis.
BBQ foods:
BBQ foods can cause some harmful issues to our pets as well as some causing toxicity. A high consumption of fatty meats can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is caused by an inflammation of the pancreas which can be shown as vomiting, diarrhoea and/or abdominal pain. Some foods such as sausages or burger patties may include some spices or seasonings that are toxic. For example, they may contain onions or garlic. Be very cautious of satay skewers and meaty bones and ensure they are disposed of and securely placed away from your pet’s access. Skewers and cooked bones can cause intestinal obstruction and can cause choking.
Corn Cobs:
Corn itself is not toxic, but if a corn cob is given to the dog to chew on, there is a risk of the animal swallowing the cob whole. If this happens, the cob can obstruct in the intestines.
Chocolate:
Chocolate is a perfect gift to share with everyone… but not our pets! Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and cats and should be kept away from them in a safe place. Chocolate can cause some mild symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea, but in some severe cases can be fatal as it can cause heart failure.
Garlic and Onions:
Onions and Garlic are very common to enhance flavours in our cooking. All parts of the onion and garlic plants are highly toxic to dogs and cats and can be harmful even as raw, cooked or fried. Onions and garlic can cause damage to red blood cells, kidney damage and gastrointestinal issues.
Alcohol:
Alcohol should never be given to dogs or cats as it can have some serious repercussions. Alcohol can cause gastrointestinal issues, excessive panting and/or drooling, disorientation and can be fatal in some cases.
Christmas Decorations:
Christmas decorations can be harmful for dogs and cats if accidentally ingested. It is always best to place Christmas decorations up high and away from your pet’s access. Decorations such as tinsel, bulbuls and wrapping paper can cause intestinal blockages if ingested. Avoid hanging any chocolate decorations on the tree in case they are knocked off my mischievous paws or tails and ingested.
Worried your pet has eaten something toxic or harmful?
If your pet has ingested something harmful or toxic, we recommend taking your pet straight to a veterinary clinic. Some signs can be delayed depending on what is ingested, and the animal may not show for a few days post-ingestion. If some concerning signs are noticed, it is always best to take them straight to a veterinary clinic.
As most general practice clinics are closed on public holidays, some emergency clinics include:
CARE Veterinary Clinic
5 Hood St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Advanced Care Vet
26 Robertson St, Kensington VIC 3031
Bundoora Vet Hospital
17 Plenty Rd, Bundoora VIC 3083
