Top Christmas dangers for dogs

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF THIS FESTIVE SEASON

Whilst we never want to be killjoys, there are a few important hazards to watch out for with our dogs over this festive period. Keep your dog away from these, and you should have a happy and safe Christmas together!

HAZARD 1: ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

Ingestion of artificial sweeteners can lead to potentially fatal hypoglycaemia, acute liver disease and blood clotting.

HAZARD 2: MOULDY FOODS

These can make your dog very ill, so don’t give your dog food that is out of date.

HAZARD 3: COOKED BONES

Once cooked, bones become brittle and splinter into shards which can damage the digestive tract.

HAZARD 4: SALT DOUGH ORNAMENTS

Salt dough ornaments, as many children make in school, are super cute but can give your dog vomiting, diarrhoea or even seizures if consumed.

HAZARD 5: GLASS BAUBLES

Easily broken when chewed, these can cause cuts and, if ingested, can severely damage the digestive tract.

HAZARD 6: LILIES

Lilies are toxic and can cause convulsions. If ingested in large amounts, they can be fatal.

HAZARD 7: SILICA GEL PACKETS

These are typically non-toxic but can cause blockages in the digestive tract.

HAZARD 8: WRAPPING PAPER

Whilst most wrapping paper is low in toxicity, large amounts can cause a blockage in the digestive tract.

HAZARD 9: CHOCOLATE

Chocolate contains a chemical similar to caffeine which is poisonous to dogs.

HAZARD 10: ONIONS

Onions can cause stomach irritation, and once digested, they can cause red blood cell damage and anaemia.

HAZARD 11: GRAPES AND RAISINS

These are common ingredients in Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and mince pies and can be highly poisonous to dogs.

HAZARD 12: FAIRY LIGHTS

If switched on and chewed, your dog can get a nasty electric shock.

HAZARD 13: TINSEL

Consumption of tinsel can give your dog an upset stomach and can get stuck in the intestines causing serious damage.

HAZARD 14: BATTERIES

Consumption of batteries can cause heavy metal poisoning and chemical burns.

HAZARD 15: TOYS WITH SMALL PARTS

Small parts can get stuck in the throat or intestines, causing major problems in the digestive system.

HAZARD 16: POTPOURRI

This can cause serious gastrointestinal issues that last for several days.

HAZARD 17: POINSETTIA, MISTLETOE AND IVY

These plants are mildly toxic and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and drooling.

HAZARD 18: ALCOHOL

Alcohol can cause your dog to have difficulty breathing or even put your dog into a coma if large amounts are consumed.

HAZARD 20: MACADAMIA NUTS

These can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting and hypothermia within just 12 hours of consumption.

HAZARD 19: BLUE CHEESE

The ‘mould’ of blue cheese contains a substance called Roquefortine C, which dogs are very sensitive to.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

It goes without saying that if you are concerned that your dog has been exposed to or ingested something hazardous, you should go straight to your vet for assistance. Most issues can be dealt with if detected quickly enough, so get your dog to the vet as soon as you possibly can!