Keeping Your Pet Safe at Christmas.
For your pet, Christmas is a time when lots of unusual and exciting things are brought into your home. As humans are especially busy and distracted this time of year, it makes the perfect opportunity for your canine and feline companions could be tempted into all sorts of mischief !
Interesting foods, unusual plants and trees, attractive decorations and Christmas presents will be of great curiosity for your pets, but some of these things may be harmful if eaten.
Foods
It is important to remember that your pet isn’t human, and some human foods can be dangerous to them.
Raisins, Grapes, Currants & Sultanas
These are all toxic to dogs and it is believed the dried forms of these fruits are more lethal than grapes. It is not known how much is poisonous, some dogs have eaten large quantities of this fruit and had no ill effects, whilst others have become unwell after very small amounts.
At this time of year it is possible that these fruits are in abundance in your home. Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, fruit cake, mince pies, stolen and especially chocolate covered raisins.
As well as causing vomiting and diarrhoea, these fruits can cause kidney failure which can be delayed for 24 to 72 hours.
Kidney failure may present as a decrease in urination, or show signs of increased thirst. Prompt treatment is important so if your dog does eat any amount contact your veterinarian immediately.
Macadamia Nuts
It is not known WHY these nuts are poisonous to dogs, but macadamia nuts can cause your dog to appear weak (particularly in their hind limbs), dull, and sleepy. They may sometimes appear wobbly on their feet or in pain or stiff when walking.
Vomiting, tremors, lethargy and an increased body temperature can also occur. These symptoms usually appear within 12 hours and may last for up to 2 days. Some macadamia nuts are covered in chocolate and so pose a double risk to dogs.
Blue Cheese
Roquefort and other blue cheeses contain a substance called roquefortine C which is an ingredient produced by the fungus used to produce these cheeses. Dogs appear sensitive to this substance and in extreme cases it can cause dogs to quickly develop muscle tremors and seizures which may last for up to two days.
To give your dog a treat they can safely enjoy over Christmas, FourFriends stock premium quality dried meat treats. See our website for full details.