Keeping your pets safe at Christmas

So, we need to make sure we help them stay safe, happy and comfortable. Read on for our top tips on helping your pet enjoy the festive period.

Reducing pet stress over Christmas

Keep your cat calm

Make sure your cats have their own safe space – especially if large groups of people are coming over. Give them the choice of some hiding places and spaces up high. Then they can watch what’s happening from a safe distance, and come and join in if they want to.

If your cats enjoy being outside a lot, it might be worth setting up a warm, dry area for them out there. This allows them to take shelter if they need to.

Keep your cat’s litter trays, food and water in a quiet area, where they won’t be disturbed. And remember to keep the litter tray and their eating area separate!

Help your dog relax

A house full of visitors over Christmas can be quite busy and noisy. This can be a worrying experience for dogs. Many are also scared of the sound of party poppers or crackers being pulled.

So, during large family gatherings, it’s a good idea to make sure your dog has a safe space where no one will disturb them. They can retreat there for some quiet time if things get too much.

It’s also important to make sure your dog has had some physical and mental stimulation before the home gets busy. A walk, playtime, training, chews, and food toys, are all good options to mix and match.

If you’ll be visiting family and friends without your dog over the festive season, try giving your pet a ‘home alone box’. It’s not a substitute for human companionship, but it can help your dog cope when they’re home alone for short periods. Find out how to build the perfect ‘home alone box’.

Keep your small pets happy

Fireworks around Christmas and New Year’s Eve can be a terrifying experience for many pets.

For outdoor small pets, like rabbits and guinea pigs, make sure they have their own safe space with plenty of bedding and hiding places.

Family and friends visiting can be stressful for them too. So if you can, move your small pets’ accommodation to avoid stress from unexpected noise or poor handling from visitors.

Avoid toxic Christmas food for pets

It can be tempting to treat your pets to the same kind of tasty food we eat at Christmas. But some of these foods are toxic to them. So never give your pet:

• Chocolate (which contains theobromine)
• Sweets (which can contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener)
• Raisins

Keep the box of choccies out of reach – along with the mince pies.

Also, try not to buy Christmas treats filled with colourants and unnatural ingredients. These give pets digestive problems and can lead to weight gain.

Avoid dangerous festive plants for pets

Always be mindful about what plants you put on display during the festive season. Some plants – like poinsettias, holly berries, ivy, mistletoe, lilies and rosemary – can be toxic for your pets. They can cause gastrointestinal upset or kidney failure.

Keep foliage decorations, like wreaths, table displays and Christmas trees out of reach of any free-ranging small pets, too. They may contain plants that are toxic to animals.

Find out what foods are poisonous to dogs, cats and small pets.

Safe Christmas trees and decorations

If you decorate your house at Christmas, it’s important to have pet-safe Christmas decorations to keep your pets out of harm’s way. Here are a few tips to avoid some holiday pet hazards.

• Some pets – especially kittens – enjoy climbing Christmas trees. We recommend keeping the tree out of reach or securely tying it so it can’t fall over.
• Avoid hanging edible tree decorations. Many – like chocolate ones – are poisonous to dogs and can cause health issues. If you’re worried your dog has eaten chocolate, contact your vet immediately.
• Many pets might be tempted to chew or play with decorations, especially the ones lower down the tree. So choose non-glass tree decorations to avoid any smashed glass if your pet manages to get hold of one.
• Tinsel and wrapping paper might be tempting for a pet to play with, but they can cause digestive difficulties if your pet eats them. Always supervise any play with these items to make sure your pet doesn’t swallow any.
• If your pet is prone to chewing, please be mindful of your Christmas tree lights. If your pet chews through them they could be electrocuted.

Looking after your dog in the cold weather

• Keep your dog away from frozen lakes or rivers to make sure there’s no risk of them failing in.
• If you’re looking to take a Christmas walk with your dog, watch out for salt (rather than grit) laid on slippery surfaces. It could make your dog’s pads very sore – especially if they have a cut or graze on them.
• Keep the hair between your dog’s toes short in the cold weather. This helps to reduce the risk of ice balls forming and causing discomfort.

Keep your presents out of reach

Some Christmas presents can be a risk for your pets. Always keep these types of gifts out of reach:

• Presents that contain small pieces – if your pet likes to chew, they could swallow something dangerous if they get hold of your gift.
• Foodie gifts – it’s best to put these away in case your pet helps themselves to something that could hurt them.

Christmas gift ideas for your pets

Why not get your pets involved in the festive spirit by choosing the perfect gift for them – or even making it! There are plenty of gifts out there in pet shops, supermarkets and online retailers. But making your own presents for your pets can be a fun, and cost-effective way of including them in your celebrations.