10 tips to keep your dog safe at Christmas

A metal sewing needle, a golf ball, a carving knife, a cassette tape, a plastic dinosaur, a cuddly toy...this might sound like a quote from a well known family TV show but in reality these are just some of the objects that have been removed from the digestive systems of dogs under anaesthetic. 

Christmas is a time of celebration, feasting and family fun but it is also a time of great temptation to our dogs.  London Dog Forum wants to ensure that this festive period goes without a hitch and that your holiday remains stress free, at least as far as your pets are concerned, so here are 10 seasonal tips for keeping your dogs happy and healthy over Christmas.



• Keep food treats to a minimum.  Too much rich food can cause an upset tummy and will not be good for the waistline.

• Wrap bones and leftovers and dispose of these carefully well out of the reach from drooling mouths.

• Keep meat-flavoured knives and string out of harm’s way.

• Keep presents and decorations well out of reach of inquisitive noses. 

• Make sure electrical wires are securely taped to walls and skirting boards.

• Make sure your dog has a safe haven to which he can escape from rowdy party goers.

• Remember that elderly and very young pets need to relieve themselves more frequently.

• Be aware that pine needles can lodge in pads and throats and cause inflammation.

• Make sure that pet toys are safe and cannot be swallowed.  Supervise your pet when he has a chew as small pieces of rawhide can lodge in the throat and cause choking. Be aware that chews with artificial colouring can stain carpets too!

• Keep alcoholic drinks well out of the reach of thirsty pets and make sure your guests don’t leave drinks unattended on the floor or on low tables.  (The rate of intoxication is relative to body weight, so if an average man is intoxicated after six drinks, it will take considerably less for a pooch to become pie-eyed!)

Further hazards to watch out for in winter:

London Dog Forum would like to make you aware of some of the potential hazards of winter that are not specifically related to Christmas.
 
Antifreeze containing ethylene glycol is highly poisonous and, unfortunately, it has a sweet flavour that is attractive to dogs and cats.  The toxic effects are rapid and kidney failure is inevitable if the animal is not treated soon after ingesting the substance.

Other poisons commonly used in winter are rat and mouse baits.  Most people know that some species of fungus are poisonous but not everyone is aware that certain house plants are poisonous too.  One of these plants commonly seen at Christmas is the Poinsettia that can be dangerous if the leaves are chewed!

Some dogs enjoy picking up conkers and, although they are not poisonous, there is a danger if they are swallowed.  Conkers are extremely indigestible and can cause an intestinal blockage which will require surgical intervention.

One of our ‘users’ questioned the use of coats in winter for dogs (see OPEN FORUM).  Smooth-coated dogs such as greyhounds, whippets and bull terriers do feel the cold in winter and a warm waterproof jacket is the answer.  Elderly dogs and dogs with little body fat will be prone to hypothermia and should be kept warm and away from draughts.  Damp dogs should be carefully dried with a towel paying particular attention to between the toes as warm moist areas provide the perfect environment for bacterial growth that cause skin problems.  Obviously it is beneficial for arthritic pets to be kept warm and dry, and should you still be concerned about your dog’s mobility, your vet should be consulted so that he can prescribe a therapy to relieve discomfort.

Central heating is a great advantage during winter in many ways but it does have its drawbacks and it is not unusual to have an infestation of fleas in winter for this very reason.  Many people think that their dog needs more food in winter to counteract the cold but indoor pets are often less active and have the benefit of heating so be careful that your pet does not start to pile on the pounds.

We hope that these few reminders will ensure that you and your pets have a healthy and stress free Christmas and we wish you all a very happy New Year.