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10 Christmas hazards all pet owners should be aware of

10 Christmas hazards all pet owners should be aware of
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10 Christmas hazards all pet owners should be aware of
While humans indulge in a little festive frivolity, Christmas can be a dangerous time for pets, with tempting but potentially poisonous treats adorning every open surface. A third of pet owners will experience an emergency this festive season.It's not just chocolate that's cause for concern: dozens of foods like macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins are also dangerous for dogs.Vets put together a helpful list of hazards all owners need to be aware of to help you avoid any animal-related accidents this festive season:1. ChocolateChocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine, a bit like caffeine, which, while tasty, is severely poisonous to cats and dogs. 2. Savory pies and Christmas puddingsAll grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas are toxic to dogs; as are foods that contain them – which means no mince pies for your pooch.3. Blue cheeseWhile delicious to us, blue cheese contains a substance called roquefortine C, to which dogs are extremely sensitive. 4. TinselWhile it might look like a lot of fun to play with, tinsel can cause dangerous blockages in an animal's stomach. 5. Macadamia nuts Often lurking in cookies or eaten as a decadent Christmas snack, these nuts cause severe illness in dogs.6. Garlic, chives and onion Found in many festive foods like gravy, stuffing and sausages, all Allium species are poisonous to dogs. 7. Snow globesImported versions can contain antifreeze – as little as one tablespoon can be fatal for a cat.8. Candles They may create a cozy atmosphere, but candle flames can burn paws and the curious noses of furry friends. There's also risk of them falling over when brushed against. 9. Fairy lights Cats are curious and will try to chew on anything, including fairy lights – which can burn and even electrocute them.10. Alcohol Alcohol can cause severe liver and brain damage in animals. As little as a tablespoon can lead to problems for your cat or dog. Other hazards to be aware of include:• Salt dough ornaments: The mix of flour and salt with water can cause a potentially fatal salt toxicosis.• Christmas foliage like poinsettia, mistletoe and ivy: All of which are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs.• Wrapping paper: Eating a large amount of paper could cause an obstruction in the stomach. • Lilies: Those from the Lilium or Hemerocallis species are very dangerous for cats. Eating just two or three leaves, or even drinking water from a vase containing them can be potentially fatal. If your pet has eaten anything potentially harmful, you should call your vet for advice. Many local vet practices are closed over the holidays so it's essential you're aware of your local out-of-hours emergency veterinarian.

While humans indulge in a little festive frivolity, Christmas can be a dangerous time for pets, with tempting but potentially poisonous treats adorning every open surface. A third of pet owners will experience an emergency this festive season.

It's not just chocolate that's cause for concern: dozens of foods like macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins are also dangerous for dogs.

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Vets put together a helpful list of hazards all owners need to be aware of to help you avoid any animal-related accidents this festive season:

1. Chocolate

Chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine, a bit like caffeine, which, while tasty, is severely poisonous to cats and dogs.

2. Savory pies and Christmas puddings

All grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas are toxic to dogs; as are foods that contain them – which means no mince pies for your pooch.

3. Blue cheese

While delicious to us, blue cheese contains a substance called roquefortine C, to which dogs are extremely sensitive.

4. Tinsel

While it might look like a lot of fun to play with, tinsel can cause dangerous blockages in an animal's stomach.

5. Macadamia nuts

Often lurking in cookies or eaten as a decadent Christmas snack, these nuts cause severe illness in dogs.

6. Garlic, chives and onion

Found in many festive foods like gravy, stuffing and sausages, all Allium species are poisonous to dogs.

7. Snow globes

Imported versions can contain antifreeze – as little as one tablespoon can be fatal for a cat.

8. Candles

They may create a cozy atmosphere, but candle flames can burn paws and the curious noses of furry friends. There's also risk of them falling over when brushed against.

9. Fairy lights

Cats are curious and will try to chew on anything, including fairy lights – which can burn and even electrocute them.

10. Alcohol

Alcohol can cause severe liver and brain damage in animals. As little as a tablespoon can lead to problems for your cat or dog.

Other hazards to be aware of include:

• Salt dough ornaments: The mix of flour and salt with water can cause a potentially fatal salt toxicosis.

• Christmas foliage like poinsettia, mistletoe and ivy: All of which are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs.

• Wrapping paper: Eating a large amount of paper could cause an obstruction in the stomach.

• Lilies: Those from the Lilium or Hemerocallis species are very dangerous for cats. Eating just two or three leaves, or even drinking water from a vase containing them can be potentially fatal.

If your pet has eaten anything potentially harmful, you should call your vet for advice. Many local vet practices are closed over the holidays so it's essential you're aware of your local out-of-hours emergency veterinarian.