Keep your pets safe this Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. The time for celebration, friends and family to meet up and the time to unashamedly spoil yourself and your pets. BUT with the treats and excitement that flood this time of year how can you keep your pets safe and sound?

Deck the Halls

Both dogs & cats can’t seem to help themselves when the tree arrives in the house. To stop them jumping on the tree try and place it tucked into a corner. If this still attracts your pet’s attention try placing something to make a noise at the bottom of the tree. It won’t ward of chewing on branches but can stop them climbing up the inside of the tree and also gives advance notice before the tree topples! Go big on decorations. We currently have few baubles below waist height as our gorgeous pup seems to think the tree is decorate with tennis balls for his pleasure. Make them big enough not to choke on and preferably not out of glass!

The Main Meal

We all love to spoil out pets at Christmas but actually despite the fact we think we’re showing them out love we can be causing them serious harm. The ever fabulous MORE TH>N  pet Insurance have created these great infographics for Dogs or Cats to help you spoil your pet safely at Christmas dinner!

Lights Camera Action

It our house we have lights! Around the fire place, over the tree, round the pictures, round the balcony, round the bushes. Well pretty though this is it does result in a lot of cables! Hanging the cables low on the tree leaves your pet open to getting shocked when they end up chewing through the attractive light cables – Pup managed 5 times in one days! – Getting paws and bodies caught up in the cables can result in a tangle and burning hazard. A cable guard is a great way to protect cables that can’t be kept out of reach and also prevents rabbits & cats chewing through.

Boughs of Holly

A surprising amount of Christmas plants are poisonous to our pets. Poinsettias, holly, ivy, amaryllis, ferns, pine saps & needles and mistletoe all need to be kept well out the way of your darlings. Personally, we use good quality fakes which are realistic enough to fool our florist friend and also nice and safe if they get chewed on.  Keep plants in areas your pets cannot reach and ensure you vacuum up any dropped needles before they can get jabbed in paws.

Rest of Winter

With freezing temperatures comes the gritters. Make sure pets paws are clean and now drying out or get cracked from the salt. Wash your pets’ paws and use balm where needed. Also ensure you do not take your dog out for walks on ice. If it’s too cold for your hand think how their feet feel!

Fires are lovely at this time of year but ensure you have a guard in front. Cats & Dogs love a warm belly and don’t understand the dangers of embers falling on them.

Some pets hate the sound of fireworks and don’t cope with lots of strangers in the house. Ensure that your pet has someone safe to go which is quiet, has fresh water and food.

Have a wonderful Christmas & New Year readers!