Christmas is a time for food comas, friends and family. But amongst all the celebrations, you could never forget sharing Christmas with your fur-baby. There’s no doubt that this time of year can be slightly crazed, so we’re taking the hard work out of it, with our top tips on having a pet friendly Christmas.
Deck the Halls:
Gone all out with the Christmas decorations this year? Good on you, for showing that grinch husband of yours who’s boss! But as gorgeous as your lounge room now looks, it presents some potential hazards for your pet.
Keep your decorations out of reach, especially tinsel. Cats and dogs will often be attracted to the play potential of this sparkly stuff, but it can result in a real health emergency if ingested as it severely obstructs the intestines. Spot these symptoms by looking out for lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Lights can also present a burn or a tangle hazard, so keep these out of reach from curious pets. And before you deck the halls in all their glory, double check your Christmas foliage as plants and flowers like amaryllis, mistletoe and holly can be poisonous to animals and sometimes even fatal.
Festive Feeds:
While Christmas is regarded by many of us as a time where diets temporarily fly out the window and overindulgence is something of a given, the same cannot be said for our pets.
Amongst all the feasting of Christmas celebrations, it’s natural to want to include your four-legged family members. But over-feeding in general can be very dangerous to a pet’s health, while specific substances like chocolate, sugar, raisins and dried fruits, and marinades are a straight up no-go.
Look out for symptoms like excessive panting and urination, muscle twitches, hyperactivity and digestive issues. Avoid feeding your pets any meat with cooked bones, as they splinter more easily and can quickly become a choking hazard.
Show Them Some Love:
You’re juggling a visit from the mother-in-law, feeding an extended family of 15 and making your first pavlova in years – we get it, Christmas is a juggle. With so much stimulation, it can be easy to get distracted and lose your pet down your priority list.
But times of such high activity can be quite disorienting for your furry friend, which makes it extra important to give them lots of space away from noise and clutter to relax and to regularly give them affection and attention. To help them stay calm and ease agitation, make sure they remain well exercised and keep them away from anything overtly unsettling, such as fireworks.
Your pets are family through and through, so give them that little extra love this Christmas and ensure they stay safe amidst the celebrations. Merry Christmas!