Christmas Welfare and Safety for Pets

Christmas is coming (whatever the time of year!) and, vegetarian or not, in our modern affluent society, the traditional 'goose' does not have the monopoly on getting fat. What are the implications of this festive season, however, for our pets?

It is commendably unselfish that many of us ply our animals with gifts and festive food, sharing the abundance and feel-good factor of Christmas. That's fine, but we must be thoughtful about it.

Unaccustomed rich food in a diet can cause digestive upsets, which can be traumatic for animal and family alike. There's nothing like coming down on Boxing morning, to a pool of diarrhoea on the carpet, under the tree! Nothing wrecks great-aunt's enjoyment of the merry-making at meal times, like the sound of a retching cat under the table!

Bear in mind that many Christmas 'staples' may be toxic for our animal companions. Grapes can be toxic for dogs. Chocolate is also dangerous except in extreme moderation. Cooked turkey bones may be brittle and present a hazard, whether intentionally given to a dog or stolen. Beware also the unintended feeding of alcohol in, say, a trifle.

Whatever festive fare you give your animal should be in moderation and should be broadly in keeping with your general feeding policy. Any scraps, over and above the normal allowance, should be taken into account in your reckoning of size of later meals.

It is also merciful (and wise) to try to avoid total disruption of normal schedules and meal time routines for animals, despite the temptation offered by intense and demanding family festivities. Especially don't forget to look after horses out in a field (or other outdoor animals), in the usual way. Having animals is a way of life, not just for the rest of the year but for Christmastime too.

Try to avoid tiny members of the family (toddlers) pestering a dog in his bed, private space or food bowl. Even the most even-tempered dog can be stretched to the limit, especially if a child were to try to take a prized bone from an agitated or jealous dog.

Avoid treats with colouring and those that are completely outside your chosen feeding policy for your pet (of course, I assume you'll all be eating everything organic and healthy anyway!) (see Natural Feeding website)

Presents given to pets should, again, be consistent with your general health policy. If you have adopted healthy earthenware or similar receptacles, for instance, don't go buying a lot of coloured plastic bowls or toys. Avoid chews or other treats with artificial colourants (colorants) and other chemical additives.

Some dogs especially seem to enter into the spirit of present unwrapping. Make sure that everything is safe, without sharp metal, rubber bands or plastic bags.

Children love to dress up animals, for Christmas or other festivities. It is best to oversee this activity, subtly, without being too overbearing! Many dogs will enjoy this participation activity but some will not. If they don't, it is only fair to put a stop to the games.

Make sure that pins, plastic bags, rubber bands, sticky tape, ribbons and other items do not cause problems for your pets. It's best to avoid involving anything that is obviously potentially dangerous.

Make sure, also, that legs and tails are not injured by becoming tied into fancy dress.

Many dogs love to play ball. Make sure that games are neither too strenuous nor too lengthy, especially if your dog is not fit.

Avoid throwing sticks at all - we have seen terrible injuries from these. It always starts as such an innocuous-seeming activity but can end in tears for you and terrible injury, pain or even death for your dog. The problem is that, despite the fact that it seems easy to throw the stick well away from the dog, a dog is very quick. A wrong throw or a wrong bounce can result in impalement, as the stick lands end-first and the dog reaches it, at speed, at the same moment.

If your idea of good fun is to have fireworks, do your very best to alleviate the serious fear and grief that the noise can cause many animals. Also, observe the firework safety code. You can give comfort and medication if necessary.

Homeopathy may have a lot to offer your pet, if he or she is terrified of fireworks. Consult your holistic vet or homeopathic vet.

Oh, and look out for New Year celebrations and more fireworks, while we're thinking of all the festivities at this time of year.

There are many facets of the 'essential Christmas' that may not be pet friendly, if not well thought out.

If there are lot of family or friends about, watch out for tripping, treading accidents. Also watch out that dogs and cats aren't hurt and damaged by doors or let out on the road. If you are serving alcoholic drinks, some of your guests may become a little worse for alcohol, in which case their level of care will inevitably plummet.

Trailing electric leads and cables, in unaccustomed places, can attract puppies and kittens. Badly burned mouths and even deaths can result from chewing fairy light or other cables.

Baubles on the Christmas tree fascinate cats. If they are made of glass, they can break if they fall and then they may cause injury.

Christmas decorations like tinsel and glass fibre (glass fiber) 'angel hair' can present a real hazard.

Fairy lights have always been a prime fire hazard. Ensure that your pet does not damage the wiring.

Watch out for candles; a pet can easily overturn them. An enthusiastic Labrador's tail is famous for sweeping everything off a low table! Don't leave an active and inquisitive animal alone in a room with lit candles.

A turkey carcase, left unguarded, can be stolen by a cat or dog, with the potential danger that brittle cooked bones can represent, especially if your pet is not used to bones in his normal diet.

Plastic wrapping, wire, string, ribbon, pins and elastic bands can be serious hazards. Be sure to clear up well, before a pet has access to a room in which items have been unwrapped.

Batteries are toxic . Don't leave used batteries lying about for a pup to chew.

Puppies love to chew anything. Be as careful as possible to avoid small toys being left around, for chewing hazards.

The spilling of unattended hot drinks or boiling water from a saucepan or kettle can maim an animal.

Many think that a puppy, kitten or other small pet would make a great Christmas gift. Yes, of course they're cute but I believe that it is best to avoid doing this. The emotions around special gifts and those around obtaining a new pet and all the responsibilities that implies are best kept separate.

Obtaining a pet requires special thought and family discussion. The daily duties and responsibilities have to be seen through and allocated within the family. This is not the stuff of a Christmas whim.

If injuries or illness should occur, here are a few homeopathic first-aid remedies that can prove invaluable.

Aconitum - any sudden shock or dramatic condition
Arnica - any injury
Arsenicum - diarrhoea and food poisoning
Cantharis - burns and scalds
Hypericum - crushed feet, toes, tail etc.
Ledum - puncture wounds
Nux vomica - too much rich food, indigestion
Symphytum - any skeletal damage.

"Yes. If I may add that visitors often drop by. My dog has a habit of getting into purses that are left in reach, and many visitors are on medication. Child proof bottles are no challenge for my dog, so we need to watch what visitors place in reach." [In England, for 'purse' read 'handbag'!]

Animals and human medication can be a bad mix! If an accident happens, seek veterinary advice promptly, taking any available labels or literature with you.

"Years ago, in May our Cocker Spaniel started having problems walking. Couldn't go up and down the stairs and walking was difficult. Turns out that we had a Ponsietta Plant sitting on the floor and he was eating it. Poison, it turns out."

Poinsettia is a popular Christmas house plant - this valuable comment highlights the potential dangers of some pot plants to inquisitive pets.

This link takes you to the ASPCA's lists of plants that may be toxic: http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants.aspx?page=1

Enjoy your Christmas and ensure your animals enjoy theirs. Think safety. Think welfare. Think comfort and security. Prevention is always better than cure.

Your animals depend on you.

The author is independent of commercial interest or sponsorship and cannot endorse any products or advertising material attached to this lens.

For more information, visit AVMC's information website (over 600 pages).

Chris Day - holistic vet - runs the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre in Oxfordshire (AVMC) in Oxfordshire, UK.