Keep Your Pets Safe This Christmas

Published on December 23, 2008 by PDSA   ·   No Comments

Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, is urging pet owners to do a ‘pet safety audit’ of their homes this Christmas to identify and remove any dangers, so the whole family – including the four-legged members – can enjoy the festive season safely.

During the hustle and bustle of Christmas, with extra visitors, music and drinks, there may be ‘pet hazards’ lurking around every corner! And its owner’s responsibility to make sure their pets are kept safe.

Chemicals

Swallowing even small amounts of many common household products can be harmful or even fatal to pets. Pets can also be poisoned if they lick their fur or paws after they’ve come into contact with a dangerous substance.

Detergents, disinfectants, cleaning products, bleach, ammonia, turpentine and white spirit are all hazardous and should be kept in a secure cupboard well away from curious pets.

Most pet owners don’t realise that de-icer, anti-freeze and screen wash are extremely poisonous to cats and dogs. They are attracted to the sweet taste of a chemical called ‘ethylene glycol’. Most pets willingly lap up the liquid, despite the often fatal consequences.

If you suspect your pet has swallowed or had access to a harmful substance you should seek veterinary advice immediately.

Foreign Bodies

Every year PDSA vets and nurses treat hundreds of pets that have swallowed ‘foreign bodies’ such as toys, string and stones. Around Christmas, there are always pets brought into PDSA PetAid hospitals needing emergency treatment after swallowing decorations or getting hurt by falling Christmas trees – such as Charlie the Yorkshire Terrier who swallowed a star shaped decoration last December.

Sharp and dangerous objects such as pins, sewing needles and drawing pins can also get eaten and can become embedded inside the mouth, paws or skin, causing lots of pain and discomfort.

The kitchen is often the most dangerous room for pets, with leftover food, sharp utensils, chemicals and electrical appliances all to be found here. Owners should make sure they keep items out of their pets reach to avoid an emergency trip to the vets this Christmas!

Food

Some foods can be very dangerous for pets. Chocolate, raisins, sultanas and currants are all poisonous but are everywhere at Christmas – selection boxes, mince pies and Christmas puddings are all firm family favourites.

Leftover food in exposed wrappers or unsealed bins can also be very hazardous. Bones and string from joints of meat are often irresistible to pets, so owners should ensure they dispose of food responsibly in a secure bin.

Medicines

Medication is often left on sideboards or dressing tables, within easy reach of pets. But this can be incredibly dangerous if our four-legged friends get hold of it. Owners should store medication in sealed containers, out of paws’ reach. Human medicines should never be given to pets.

The same rules should apply for medicines prescribed by your vet. Animals sometimes don’t know the difference between medicine and sweets and an overdose could prove dangerous or even fatal.

For more information about pet safety log onto www.pdsa.org.uk.

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