Dog Dangers at Christmas and How to Avoid Them
December 23, 2020 • Health & Wellness •
Christmas can be a dangerous time for pets, with tempting but potentially hazardous dangers adorning every surface. Unfortunately, many Christmas festivities come to abrupt end with a vet emergency. Enjoy a dog-proofed festive season with my top Christmas safety tips.
1. Christmas food
Your delicious turkey is the ultimate treat for you but a major danger for your pooch All cooked bones are very brittle and can splinter easily into small pieces penetrating the dog’s esophagus, stomach and intestines and result in a life-threatening emergency.
Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currents in pies and puddings are toxic for dogs as are onions, shallots and garlic which can result in severe blood disorders. Dogs are also sensitive to blue cheese. Chocolate is the ultimate danger for dogs – it’s poisonous for them and can be fatal. Nuts, especially Macadamia nuts, can cause vomiting, weakness, and tremors. Sugar and artificial sweeteners in Christmas cookies, cakes, and other food can lead to hypoglycemia, liver failure, blood clotting and seizures. Finally, alcohol is a very potent toxin for dogs which causes vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, tremors and even fatal coma.
Tip:
None of these foods should ever be fed to dogs, not even the smallest morsel! And make sure that no one else at the table secretly feeds them either. Always keep food safe out of reach and dispose it properly in closed outside bins. Never put chocolate presents or treats on or under your Christmas tree. All spilled alcohol should be cleaned up immediately.
Spoil your dog with special festive dog treats!
2. Christmas tree
Ingested natural or artificial pine tree needles can lead to vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea. Broken glass baubles can perforate dogs’ stomachs and intestines. Tinsel and ribbons can result in obstructions in the intestines with severe consequences. Ingested salt dough ornaments can lead to potentially fatal salt toxicosis with vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. Chewed fairy lights can cause electric shocks, burns and even electrocution. Real candles can cause burns on the dog’s nose, paws or fur and can even set the house on fire. Eating lots of paper results in stomach obstruction.
Tip:
Never ever leave your pooch alone with your Christmas tree! Don’t leave burning candles unattended! Vacuum pine needles daily. Use unbreakable baubles and replace tinsel and ribbons with dog-friendly options. A great option to keep your pooch safe is to put up a dog-proofed fence around your Christmas tree to stop it getting close and if you travel with your dog, take a portable fence with you!
3. Christmas plants
Poinsettia, mistletoe, holly, ivy, potpourri products and liquid essential oils are all toxic for dogs. They cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, serious stomach and intestinal problems.
Tip:
Keep all plants, potpourri products and liquid essential oils out of your dog’s reach.
Enjoy an incident-free Merry Christmas with your furry friend!
Article by Dr Margit Gabriele Muller, leading vet and award winning author of Your Pet, Your Pill: 101 Inspirational Stories About How Pets Lead You to A Happy, Healthy and Successful Life out now, available on Amazon.
