Local Leaders | Braidwood Veterinary Surgery: Keep your Christmas jolly for your pets

Although decorations are often used to celebrate the festive season, tinsel, ribbon, plastic and bows can be easily chewed or swallowed, causing lacerations in your pet's mouth, or obstructions within their intestines, resulting in the need for emergency surgery.

Electrical decorations such as lights should also be used with caution, especially if you have pets that chew, such as rabbits.

Many Christmas plants and flowers such as mistletoe, poinsettias, holly, pine needles and all parts of lillium species (leaves, stem, petals, stamens and pollen) can cause illness, injury or even death.

Although many owners enjoy sharing their Christmas dinner with their pet, some foods can also cause toxicities and be fatal. Leftover bones can cause damage to teeth, gums or the intestines if they are swallowed. High fat meals such as ham or turkey can cause pancreatitis, a very painful and potentially fatal illness.

Foods such as Christmas pudding, currants, grapes, raisins, plums, peaches, caffeine, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts and lollies can all be toxic, as well as sugar-free sweet products as they contain xylitol.

With an increase in visitors to your house, including one fast-moving man in red, pets can also become anxious and stressed. The use of pheromones leading up to and during Christmas, such as Feliway or Adaptil, can help alleviate or prevent this stress.

Taking a few minutes to plan a pet-safe Christmas can not only potentially save you money, but also the life of your pet.