Pet Problems Solved are always keen to prevent problems, rather than have to solve them. Here are some pet Christmas safety tips, thanks to Anneke van den Broek of Rufus and Coco…
Pet Christmas Safety Tips
Australia’s most awarded pet care brand Rufus & Coco asked 275 pet owners how they will be including their fur-babies in the festivities and weren’t surprised to find that 95% of pets will be included in the Christmas Day celebrations. In fact, 85% said they will be gifting their pet a present this year! While not all respondents had a sibling, nearly half (46%) admitted they will be spending more on their pet than their sibling.
Our pets are part of the family, and we need to make sure they are looked after this Christmas.
Here are some tips to safely include them in the Christmas festivities
- Cool your pets down!
Make sure that at the start of the day you fill up the dog’s water bowl, adding some ice cubes if its extra hot. Also, make you’re your pets are dressed weather appropriate. With more than half of survey respondents saying their pet will be rocking a special Christmas outfit for the day – consider having air conditioning or taking it off if they look a bit sweaty! When our pets sweat it can cause dermatitis flare-ups and scratching. Keep this under control with regular baths in a natural, hypoallergenic shampoo. If you’re spending the day outside in the sun, don’t forget that fair pets need sunscreen too!
2. Keep your pets safe during the fireworks
Loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms can result in pets breaking free in an attempt to escape the sound. Keep your pet inside if they are affected!
3. Keep the choccies out of reach
Chocolates are one of the most common Christmas gifts, so make sure that any chocolates are kept out of reach, as an emergency trip to the vet is sure to put a damper on the day.
4. Be mindful of décor and Christmas trees
Christmas trees and décor can pose a huge threat to our pets – baubles can be a choking hazard and an unstable tree can easily be toppled by a curious cat! From sharp pine needles to ornaments, keeping an eye on your pets or keeping them out of decorated rooms is the safest approach! Christmas lights and tinsel also carry a strong allure for pets who can end up with obscured digestive tracts or electric shocks.
5. Gift appropriate treats
With many people gifting their pets with food-treats, it’s important to find treats that are healthy for your pet. Rawhides can contain harmful dyes and can pose a major choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage.
Happy Howlidays!!
About the author:
Anneke van den Broek is the founder and CEO of Rufus & Coco. Anneke is on a mission to make a lasting impact on the welfare of pets in Australia, partnering with the APWF to help bring unnecessary pet euthanasia to zero.
More reading
5 Reasons pets should be welcome in rental accommodation (by Anneke van den Broek)
Christmas Safety Tips for Dog Owners
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Summer risks for our pets
Sun safety tips for pets
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