趣夜app

Eating the odd mince pie or slice of Christmas pudding may only risk adding a few inches to your waistline, but for dogs and cats, sneaking a few mouthfuls could be deadly. The sweet treats, and other similar festive fayre,听contain听sultanas and raisins, which can make dogs and cats seriously ill if eaten 鈥� and can even be fatal in some cases.听

New statistics from the 趣夜app鈥檚 Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey showed that 77.3% of vets saw cases of sultana or raisin-related toxic ingestion in dogs in the last 12 months, an increase from 69% in 2022.听听

More cases of dogs becoming ill from eating the dried fruit are reported than cats, but cheeky felines are not immune to the lure of a sweet treat, with 5.3% of vets reporting seeing cases of cats after they have eaten sultanas or raisins.听听

Sultanas and raisins are not the only festive risk for pets, with 58.1% of vets reporting seeing toxic ingestion in dogs and cats with other causes, including chocolate, which,听alongside mince pies and Christmas pudding, can be particularly prominent in homes at听Christmas.听Other risks include onion, garlic, the sweetener xylitol and seasonal decorations like mistletoe and holly.听听

趣夜app President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said:听鈥淐hristmas听and the weeks leading up to it are always busy, so it can be听really easy听for tempting treats to be mistakenly left on the floor in shopping bags or under the tree where cheeky pets can reach them. The best way to avoid having to make an emergency dash to the vets is to keep all human food and decorations听well away听from your animals. But we know that sometimes, despite best efforts, accidents happen and pets manage to gobble down something they听shouldn鈥檛, so听it鈥檚听handy to know your vet鈥檚 emergency procedure and holiday opening hours just in case.鈥澨�听

Tips to help听you and your pets have a safe and happy holiday听听

Festive food听

Many festive foods are toxic to pets听so听it鈥檚听important to keep them away from your animals and to let your guests know the dangers too. Common culprits include:听听

• Chocolate听(which听contains听the toxic听component听theobromine),听raisins, grapes, and currants,听such as those听found in Christmas puddings听or听mince pies, onions,听garlic听and leeks, which can be found in gravy and stuffing,听are听really toxic听to dogs and cats.听

• Fatty, rich听foods听can trigger sickness and diarrhoea or other conditions听such as听gastroenteritis听and听pancreatitis,听so听don鈥檛听be tempted to share your Christmas dinner.听听

• Alcohol听is听extremely harmful to pets鈥� liver and nervous systems.听

Decorations听and wrapping听

• Tinsel, tape, bows and ribbons听can cause blockages if ingested, which may require emergency surgery.听

• Glass or plastic baubles,听sharp-edged decorations听and fairy lights听can cause injuries if broken or chewed.听

• Avoid edible 鈥� or potentially edible 鈥� decorations like chocolate ornaments.听听

• Candles听should be kept听away from curious paws and wagging tails to prevent burns or fires.听

• Don鈥檛听keep wrapped food presents under the tree where pets can sniff them out听听

Christmas trees听听

• Using听a sturdy base or anchor the tree to a wall听to stop it toppling over听

• Block off access to your pet if they show too much interest听

Beware of Toxic Plants听

• Eating poinsettias,听holly and mistletoe听can听lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and even heart issues.听

• Lilies听are extremely dangerous for cats听all year round, even in tiny amounts.听

• Opt听for pet-safe alternatives like artificial plants or vet-approved greenery.听

Create a Safe Space听

• Providing a听quiet room with their bed, toys, and water听for them to retreat to can help reduce stress.听

• Advise听guests to听give your pet space听when they are resting.听

• Stick to听your pet鈥檚 usual routine, including their normal听food, exercise听and sleeping schedules听听

Cold weather听hazards听

• Antifreeze is extremely poisonous听to cats. Clean up any spills听immediately.听听

• Salt and听grit should be washed off your pet鈥檚 straight away after walks to prevent irritation or ingestion of harmful substances.听

If in doubt, call your vet听

Even with all the care in the world, animal accidents and emergencies can still happen. If听you鈥檙e听concerned or unsure if your pet has consumed something they听shouldn鈥檛,听it鈥檚听best to call your vet to get advice to make sure.听Make sure听you鈥檙e听prepared by checking your vet鈥檚 emergency cover provision and holiday opening hours.听听听

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