Lancaster vets warn pet owners over life-threatening dangers of Christmas treats

Lancaster Vets is urging owners to be vigilant about the dangers of Christmas treats as the festive countdown begins.

The Bowerham Road practice says it has already treated a number of pooches who have devoured chocolate advent calendars.

Dogs choking or suffering internal damage from turkey bones, usually stolen from the bin or kitchen counter, are a common emergency for the practice.

Other festive risks include pets being poisoned by chocolate, mince pies, macadamia nuts, Christmas cake and pudding, while over feeding fatty food could damage their pancreas or cause gastroenteritis.

Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine which is toxic to dogs, while the caffeine content in many chocolates can exacerbate the effects. Raisins, currants and sultanas in mince pies and Christmas cake are also poisonous, like grapes. Other festive hazards include poinsettias, pine needles, holly berries and mistletoe, which can all cause illness if eaten.

In recent years, pets have also been brought into Lancaster Vets after eating or chewing decorations like tinsel, twinkling lights and toys on the tree.

Helen Griffin, senior vet and clinical director at Lancaster Vets, said: “During December, we see many cases of pets that have eaten something they shouldn’t have and the number increases as we get closer to Christmas Day.

“We see a lot of examples of poisoning over the festive period. In most cases, the owner was completely unaware of the hidden dangers and was simply intending to be kind to their pet. You don’t want a poorly pet or a trip to the vets over the Christmas holiday. Even worse would be losing a pet over the festive period, so we urge owners to be extra careful.

“We see a lot of cases of dogs stealing the Christmas turkey or taking chocolate from the under the tree, so it is important to keep food and treats out of reach of pets.”

The practice is also urging pet owners to be vigilant with antifreeze, which is highly toxic and most often fatal if eaten. Cats often walk through the substance and then lick it off their paws, causing poisoning.

Taking a few simple steps to keep pets safe can prevent festive fun turning sour, but owners should also know what to do if accidents happen.

Helen added: “If your pet eats something it shouldn’t, contact your vet straight away and make sure you provide a full report on what has been eaten, how much and when. The faster we can see a pet, the better so we can induce vomiting if necessary and assess the level of toxicity.

“If your pet is a scavenger, it may be best to keep any leftovers in a cupboard out of reach. It is recommended that owners pet proof presents that are under the tree as we see a lot of cases where pets have sniffed them out and then eaten them.”

Tips to keep your pet safe from the 12 dangers of Christmas

Alcohol – Keep alcoholic drinks and food containing alcohol out of your pet’s reach. It has similar side effects to humans and can cause serious liver damage.

Aspirin, paracetamol and Ibuprofen – If you’ve stocked up on painkillers for your Boxing Day hangover, keep them out of your pet’s way as they can be fatal if swallowed.

Antifreeze – If there’s snow and ice over Christmas, make sure your cat doesn’t mop up any spills of antifreeze. It is highly toxic and most often fatal – but cats like the sweet taste.

Batteries – At Christmas, batteries can be easily left on the floor by children or in toys that an unsupervised dog may play with or chew. They can cause serious damage so keep them out of your dog’s reach.

Chocolate – Theobromine is a chemical in chocolate that can cause serious harm to your pet. The darker and higher the percentage of cocoa, the more theobromine is in the chocolate.

Christmas cake, mince pies and Christmas pudding – Raisins, sultanas and currants, like grapes, can cause kidney failure in some pets and can be fatal.

Cooked bones – Turkey, chicken, lamb, beef and pork bones can easily splinter and perforate your dog’s stomach. They are dangerous and should never be fed to a dog. Keep bins secure and food out of reach.

Fireworks – If your pet is frightened of New Year’s Eve fireworks, speak to your vet in advance for advice. Keep them safely indoors, close curtains and turn on the TV to block out the noise.

Holly berries – Can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive salivation and weakness in dogs.

Onions – Onions, garlic, chives and leeks are part of the Allium family and are poisonous to cats and dogs. They are contained in high concentrations in food like stuffing and gravy.

Poinsettia – These popular Christmas plants are toxic to cats. Can cause vomiting, excessive salivation, loss of appetite, lethargy and depression.

Sugar free sweets and mints – Contain a chemical known as xylitol, used to sweeten mints and sweets that are sugar-free, which can cause serious damage to your pet.