Pet Christmas Safety Tips

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…

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.
Scroll down for more festive food dangers.

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.

A message from Pet Problems Solved…

Foods to avoid at Xmas time include:

Chocolate – toxic to dogs and cats, even in small quantities
Nutmeg – one of the lesser known poisonous foods. Dogs can suffer from tremors, seizures, issues with the nervous system and even death.
Avocadoes – contains a dangerous toxin which can damage the heart, lungs and tissue of many different animals
Turkey skin, pork crackling, sausages and fatty meats – can lead to inflammation of the pancreas due to high fat content
Onions and garlic – can cause gastric irritation and anaemia if they are consumed in large quantities
Grapes and raisins – can cause acute kidney failure
Macadamia nuts – can be toxic to dogs. Symptoms will likely occur within 12 hours and can include vomiting, hyperthermia and elevated heart rate.
Others – include dairy products, raw eggs, mushrooms, raw fish, citrus fruit, green potatoes and large quantities of tomatoes or salt.

If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic you should contact your veterinarian immediately.