Did you know that many Vet visits are completely avoidable? We asked our Vets for their best tips to keep your dog safe this holiday season.
Here’s our top 6 tips, so you can keep them safer:
- Dog safe food, only.
Many foods are toxic to dogs, and there’s no greater risk than at this time of year (well, maybe at Easter!). Feed your dog a good quality, fully balanced diet and avoid those foods that are toxic. These include: chocolate, sultanas, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, alcohol (present in mince pies, plum pudding, christmas cake, sweet platters, stuffing for meats, and fruit platters). Make sure fridges and bins are closed, pantries locked, and food stored securely and served high. Otherwise you may turn your back – and they may already be eaten. - Limit treats.
Best tip is to limit treats so that they make up no more than 10% of their diet. Overindulging dogs with treats that are rich and high in fat (such as barbeque meats, ham etc) can lead to gut pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and even cause pancreatitis (which can be deadly). Not to mention, a diet too high in treats will affect the overall daily nutrition, and cause an imbalance. - Be storm and fireworks ready.
Have a mental health plan for anxious dogs – loud noises from fireworks and thunderstorms are a common source of anxiety for pets. Pet’s can experience panic, and may try to escape and run away. Lost pets are commonplace during storms and fireworks and they often run into danger, and into our emergency clinics. If your pet is affected by anxiety you need to make sure they are secure in the home and that they have a “safe space” that they can retreat to for comfort. An anxious dog cannot be safely left alone outside during fireworks and storms, even (especially) when medicated. Chat to a Vet for a plan that suits your pet’s individual needs. - Battery containing presents locked away.
Pets are naturally inquisitive (some more than others, and particularly puppies) so toys including batteries are a danger. Swallowed batteries can cause life threatening illness in dogs, so these can’t be reachable or left under the tree. - Christmas tree safety.
Minimise the risk of your tree causing an issue with the following tips:- Plastic cover around the electric cord of the lights (to minimise the risk of electrocution from chewing tree lights)
- Cover or box around the tree stand so that they can’t drink the water (stagnant water can cause an upset tummy)
- Keep to plastic or non-breakable ornaments only
- Secure all decorations so they can’t fall or be easily pulled off
- Tinsel up high where it can’t be reached (or none!)
- Stable tree that won’t be easily pushed over
- Microchip up to date.
Make sure your pet’s microchip details are updated (always). An incorrect phone number or address will result in more time away from your pet when lost.
