Emma Hammett is a qualified nurse and award-winning first aid trainer with over 30 years’ healthcare and teaching experience for pets and humans. Emma founded First Aid for Pets - an award-winning dog first aid training provider with courses taught by experienced veterinary professionals. Her company's mission is to empower all dog-lovers (owners and pet business owners) with the skills and confidence to prevent accidents occurring and to be able to provide immediate first aid to their pets in a medical emergency (in those critical first moments before they can get to a Vet). The practical and online dog first aid courses are accredited for the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and they also provide verifiable CPD.
The festive season is a time for many to enjoy with friends and family – but it’s important not to forget the four-legged members of your household.
Christmas can bring some dangers to cats and dogs, plus you may find they get overwhelmed by the celebrations.
Pet first aid expert Emma Hammett shares her top tips for helping to keep your best pet pal safe at Christmas.
During the festive season, everything in the house becomes topsy-turvy due to:
So it’s common for many pets to become stressed and act out of sorts. They may start showing reactivity, excessive barking, and destructive behaviour. They could even have physical symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea. If you’re worried about your pet’s behaviour, speak to a vet or qualified pet behaviourist.
Here’s some ways you can help to ease your pet’s anxiety during this time of year:
Although real Christmas trees aren’t poisonous to pets, they can still be harmful to your cat or dog:
You can try either:
Christmas trees are a staple in many households during the holidays. But the shiny ornaments, twinkling lights, and hanging decorations can be irresistible to curious cats and dogs.
Christmas decorations don’t go through some of the same safety checks that pet and children’s toys do. This means they can be extremely dangerous for your pet.
No matter what type of Christmas tree you choose, always be careful and take some extra steps to help keep your pet safe:
Aside from your Christmas tree, other decorations around the house could be a danger for your pet pal:
As much as we love indulging in festive treats during the holidays, some of these foods can be toxic to our pets.
Popular Christmas nibbles to keep away from cats and dogs include:
It’s also important to remind guests not to give any table scraps or bones to your pets. These can be a choking hazard and cause digestive issues.
Instead, check out this list of human foods dogs can eat, along with these cat-safe ingredients. You can use these for inspiration to whip up a healthy and pet-safe festive treat.
Certain popular seasonal plants are poisonous for your pets, including:
If you’d like to bring some cheer to your home through festive foliage, think about using pet-friendly alternatives like artificial plants and wreaths.
Even if secured well out of reach, live plants can drop berries, so it’s not worth the risk.
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