Festive pet top tips

festive top tips for your pet

In the lead up to Christmas we are posting a range of top tips to help keep your pets happy, healthy and away from any hazards that might come around this time of year.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

If you have decorated your Christmas tree this weekend beware of the potential dangers to your pet. Pets can be attracted to shiny lights, tinsel and baubles! Swallowed or chewed decorations can lead to cuts or intestinal blockages, and chewed fairy lights can pose an electrocution risk.

CHOCOLATE
Keep those Christmas chocolates out of your pets reach!  Chocolate is poisonous to pets, and dogs are usually the main culprits.

Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine which dogs and cats are unable to process properly. Theobromine acts as a stimulant leading to clinical signs of:
• vomiting and diarrhoea
• increased thirst/urination
• hyperexcitability/agitation
• rapid heart rate
• seizures
 
The darker the chocolate the higher the theobromine content therefore the more toxic it is. White chocolate is safe however it may cause gastrointestinal upset due to its high fat content.

BATTERIES
It’s time to wrap those Christmas toys and gadgets – don’t forget the batteries!

However, pets are inquisitive and may think nothing about swallowing batteries, which can cause significant damage to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract!
 
Large, chewed or punctured alkaline batteries often require intervention, and the lithium disc or ‘button’ batteries pose the greatest risk of all.
 
Always contact your us if you think your pet may have ingested a battery.

TOXIC PLANTS
Many Yule time plants can be hazardous to pets if chewed – luckily in the majority of cases symptoms are mild and self-limiting and may include salivation, oral irritation and vomiting/diarrhoea.

To be on the safe side, keep plants out of reach of inquisitive pets and give us a call if you’re concerned your pet may have eaten any hazardous plants.

DOGS & XYLITOL (E967)
Could your good intentions be unintentionally harmful to your dog?

Xylitol is often used in baked goods around #Xmas time in an effort to fight the festive flab.
 
However, it is extremely toxic to dogs if ingested, even a small amount can be fatal. Xylitol (also known as E967) can be found in many products including sweets, baked goods, jams, peanut butter, dental hygiene products, chewing gum, etc….
 
Ingestion in dogs causes a rapid drop in blood sugar which can lead to lethargy, wobbliness, confusion, vomiting, collapse and tremors/seizures. Some dogs may also go on to develop acute liver failure. Cats luckily do not appear to be affected.

GRAPES & DRIED FRUITS
Grapes and their dried fruits such as raisins, currants and sultanas (whether raw or cooked) are known to cause fatal kidney failure in dogs – so keep #Xmas treats such as mince pies, puddings and cakes out of reach.

Even ingestion of just a few grapes is enough to cause severe illness so always consult us if your dog ingests any amount. We are available 24 hours every day of the year.

 

If you have any concerns at all during the festive period, don’t forget you can contact us 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year. Emergency tel number (for out of hours) is 01209 823717.

We hope you’ve found these top tips to help keep your pet happy & healthy and that you all have a good Christmas.

Thank you to TVM UK for these snippets.

Festive pet top tips

festive top tips for your pet

In the lead up to Christmas we are posting a range of top tips to help keep your pets happy, healthy and away from any hazards that might come around this time of year.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

If you have decorated your Christmas tree this weekend beware of the potential dangers to your pet. Pets can be attracted to shiny lights, tinsel and baubles! Swallowed or chewed decorations can lead to cuts or intestinal blockages, and chewed fairy lights can pose an electrocution risk.

CHOCOLATE
Keep those Christmas chocolates out of your pets reach!  Chocolate is poisonous to pets, and dogs are usually the main culprits.

Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine which dogs and cats are unable to process properly. Theobromine acts as a stimulant leading to clinical signs of:
• vomiting and diarrhoea
• increased thirst/urination
• hyperexcitability/agitation
• rapid heart rate
• seizures
 
The darker the chocolate the higher the theobromine content therefore the more toxic it is. White chocolate is safe however it may cause gastrointestinal upset due to its high fat content.

BATTERIES
It’s time to wrap those Christmas toys and gadgets – don’t forget the batteries!

However, pets are inquisitive and may think nothing about swallowing batteries, which can cause significant damage to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract!
 
Large, chewed or punctured alkaline batteries often require intervention, and the lithium disc or ‘button’ batteries pose the greatest risk of all.
 
Always contact your us if you think your pet may have ingested a battery.

TOXIC PLANTS
Many Yule time plants can be hazardous to pets if chewed – luckily in the majority of cases symptoms are mild and self-limiting and may include salivation, oral irritation and vomiting/diarrhoea.

To be on the safe side, keep plants out of reach of inquisitive pets and give us a call if you’re concerned your pet may have eaten any hazardous plants.

DOGS & XYLITOL (E967)
Could your good intentions be unintentionally harmful to your dog?

Xylitol is often used in baked goods around #Xmas time in an effort to fight the festive flab.
 
However, it is extremely toxic to dogs if ingested, even a small amount can be fatal. Xylitol (also known as E967) can be found in many products including sweets, baked goods, jams, peanut butter, dental hygiene products, chewing gum, etc….
 
Ingestion in dogs causes a rapid drop in blood sugar which can lead to lethargy, wobbliness, confusion, vomiting, collapse and tremors/seizures. Some dogs may also go on to develop acute liver failure. Cats luckily do not appear to be affected.

GRAPES & DRIED FRUITS
Grapes and their dried fruits such as raisins, currants and sultanas (whether raw or cooked) are known to cause fatal kidney failure in dogs – so keep #Xmas treats such as mince pies, puddings and cakes out of reach.

Even ingestion of just a few grapes is enough to cause severe illness so always consult us if your dog ingests any amount. We are available 24 hours every day of the year.

 

If you have any concerns at all during the festive period, don’t forget you can contact us 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year. Emergency tel number (for out of hours) is 01209 823717.

We hope you’ve found these top tips to help keep your pet happy & healthy and that you all have a good Christmas.

Thank you to TVM UK for these snippets.