Marc the vet
The Paul O’Grady Show’s Marc Abraham warns of some unexpected Christmas dangers for the pets in our lives
Christmas is here and should be a fun time for all the family, including our beloved pets. So please consider how our celebrations are likely to affect them, so we can make sure we all enjoy a safe and happy festive season and New Year.
The first question to ask is will you be spending Christmas at home or away? Leaving your pets at home will require the help of a responsible (and sober!) friend or neighbour to visit, feed and care for them. Don’t forget that seasonal plants such as holly, poinsettia, ivy and mistletoe are all extremely toxic to pets, so please think very carefully when you’re busy decking your halls.
If you are staying put and having a bit of a do, then spare a thought for nervous pets when pulling crackers or popping party poppers; perhaps shut your pets securely in a quiet room and check on them regularly. Christmas can be such a traumatic time for your pet, with lots of noise and guests arriving, so please make them a priority otherwise they may get scared, try to escape and never come back.
Brightly-coloured baubles and tantalising tinsel are new and exciting objects for pets too – who will most likely try to eat them, causing all sorts of internal kerfuffles. Make sure any fragile glass decorations are securely attached and out of reach at the top of your Christmas tree to avoid pets pulling them off and breaking them, or perhaps even stepping on the fragments.
“Christmas can be such a traumatic time for your pet, so please make them a priority”
Food-wise, there are hazards galore at this time of year. Most of you will be well-aware that chocolate is extremely poisonous to dogs and cats (rule: the darker the more deadly), and any suspect ingestion should be reported to your vet immediately. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting and diarrhoea, increased urination, progressing to seizures and sometimes death.
As for the Christmas turkey, small bones can cause choking and constipation, as well as seriously damaging internal organs. Fairy lights and electric wires will also need protection from being chewed by inquisitive puppies, kittens and even rabbits.
Another common danger at this time of year is of course anti-freeze. Extremely palatable to cats, it will cause irreversible kidney failure if your cat even just licks his paws after walking through a puddle of the stuff, so be warned and check all outside areas and garages now.
Please don’t ever give pets as presents, but if you are seriously thinking about getting your own furry friend, then please visit your local rescue centre in January, where sadly there’ll be loads of new inmates to choose from.
And finally, I’d like to wish all the readers of my column and their pets a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year! I look forward to catching up again with all of you in 2008.
