SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Christmas is traditionally a time for family, food and joy but it’s also important not to forget our pets in the midst of all the excitement!

The last thing we pet owners want to do during Christmas is dash to the vets but for some unfortunate pets, this can be the end result of a little too much festive cheer.

There are many apparently harmless foods and other Christmassy items around the house that could be a potential cause of poisoning or illness for our pets.

Fortunately, expert veterinarian Dr Elizabeth Smith and veterinary nurse Jodie Worsell RVN, of the brand new Vets4Pets Whitstable are on hand to guide you through what to do and what not to do to ensure the season of joy and goodwill to all men (and pets) is upon us!

Elizabeth and Jodie are set to open their own vets practice in Whitstable on Friday, December 6, inside the brand new Pets at Home, as part of the Vets4Pets family.

Soon to be opening on Prospect Retail Park, Elizabeth, Jodie and the rest of their team will be able to provide expert care with the latest in technology, seven days a week.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VETS4PETS WHITSTABLE

Food, glorious food

These may seem delicious to us but some Christmas foods must be kept away from cats and dogs.

“Chocolate and cocoa based products contains theobromine and is toxic to cats and dogs,'' said Elizabeth.

“This causes increased heart rate, digestive upset, seizures and in severe cases death.

“Most Christmas cakes, puddings and mince pies also have raisins and currants and these can be highly toxic to pets, causing kidney failure in many cases.”

Not even sugar free treats should be given to pets.

They can contain xylitol which is often used to replace sugar in these products and is very toxic with seizures, vomiting and liver damage recorded in some cases.

“Pet owners should also not think that cheese is safe because it’s dairy,” continued Elizabeth.

“Cats and dogs will struggle to digest lactose and this could lead to an upset digestive system.

“The same goes for nuts - they all have a high salt and fat content and macadamia nuts are especially toxic.”

Onions and garlic that are sometimes used in stuffing should also be out of bounds for pets as well as grapes that can lead to kidney failure around 24 to 72 hours after eating.

Most of these food items can have long term effects that may not necessarily be seen straight away so it’s best to get veterinary advice straight away.

If caught soon enough, then a vet can induce vomiting.

Stop your pets from freezing

But it’s not just about keeping them safe and secure on the inside.

An animal may not necessarily stay warm during the cold winter months simply because it has a fur coat.

“There isn’t really a hard and fast rule about which breeds need a coat in winter,” noted Jodie.

“Young, elderly, and short haired breeds are more likely to benefit from an extra layer.

“Breeds that are used to the cold such as the Siberian Husky as are unlikely to need a coat as they have a double coat but if they are elderly or recovering from an illness, then they may need one.

“Medical interventions like an operation may see their fur shaved in some cases and this could affect their ability to withstand the cold. A lot also depends on how much time they are spending outdoors.”

Another misconception is the belief by some people that large breed dogs don’t need a coat.

“A greyhound is considered a large breed and this breed will feel the cold more than most, due to less body fat and a short coat,” added Jodie.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VETS4PETS WHITSTABLE

It’s not just about cats and dogs

Rabbits and guinea pigs that live outside are also at risk. Guinea pigs do not cope well in the cold.

They originate from South America and are at risk of respiratory infections if kept outside in the winter. Guinea pigs are best brought indoors once the outside temperature drops below 10’C.

Rabbits are much tougher and can live outside in the correct housing.

They need shelter from wind and rain and an insulated hutch. In the wild they would burrow underground to avoid freezing temperatures.

So as long as the hutch is fully waterproof and insulated and they have shelter from the wind, then they can withstand fairly cold temperatures.

If you have space in a shed or garage not used by a car (due to fumes) this would be ideal to give them extra protection.

You will also need to stop their water bottles from freezing. This can be done by using something to insulate the bottles or you can buy water bottle covers.

Each Vets4Pets practice is locally owned and operated with a team of animal loving experts that firmly believe in providing the highest level of care and treating every pet they see like they would their own.

The local community in Whitstable are invited to head to the new Vets4Pets practice and meet the team, with a free vet consult if you register your pet before they open on Friday, December 6.

Click here to visit the official website for more details.

Other things to be wary of during the festive season include:

Christmas decorations and lights

• Lights – Anything electrical your pet may chew could give them a nasty shock and even result in death.
• Tinsel – often appealing to cats and dogs but if eaten can cause a blockage and intestinal problems which would require an operation to remove.
• Glass decorations – cats especially love to climb and a tree will be very tempting. But if any decorations on the tree is breakable (such as glass) then this could cause an injury. Also small parts may pose a choking hazard.
• Candles – could pose a fire hazard or burns to your pet.

Pines needles and Christmas plants for pets

• Some Christmas plants like poinsettia, mistletoe and holly are toxic for pets and can cause upset to the digestive tract.
• Christmas trees aren’t considered toxic but may cause injury if needles are swallowed or get stuck in a paw. Needles should be cleaned up regularly.
• Lilies are very toxic to cats. They include pollen which can be transferred onto a cat’s coat just from brushing against the plant. As cats groom often this is then likely to be ingested.

Knowing what’s safe when spoiling your pets at Christmas

If you are giving your pet a treat at Christmas, turkey meat is one of the safest things, as it is not toxic but avoid giving skin as this is very high in fat. Any cooked bones could splinter causing mouth injuries and stomach and intestinal perforations if swallowed. But remember, any change to your pet’s diet could result in an upset tummy, especially if your pet is sensitive to certain foods.