Keep your dog safe this winter by avoiding these hazards
It’s a little-known fact that Christmas is a more dangerous time for our pets. Their usual home environment is filled with trees, unusual flowers and other decorations and cupboards are jam-packed with lots of tempting but potentially toxic food and drink.
Here at Vets Now, emergency call volumes increase over the festive season, and it’s often a result of dogs swallowing or chewing some of these unfamiliar things. Our handy infographic below gives you the lowdown on what to keep out of your dog’s reach this Christmas – and some interesting statistics that show why.
Click on the image below to read. From here you can also download a printable PDF or embed the infographic on your blog or website.
Accessible text version of Winter Hazards for Dogs infographic
Winter Hazards for Dogs
Keep your dog safe this winter by avoiding these hazards.
Out and About
- Darker nights
Darker nights can reduce your dog’s ability to be seen. Ensure your dog is visible by using reflective collars and high-visibility vests. - Antifreeze
Ethylene glycol, as it’s officially known, is highly dangerous. Even a tiny quantity can cause potentially fatal kidney damage. - Ice, snow & grit
Ice and snow may get caught in the space between their toes which can cause frostbite. Salt and other chemicals used to grit roads and pavements can also be an irritant to your dog’s paws, especially if they have any minor abrasions. - Freezing temperatures
Thin dogs with short fur, such as greyhounds and whippets, can feel the cold and you may find that as your dog gets older they start to feel the cold more. Dogs are just as sensitive to cold weather as people, and hypothermia is a risk if they’re exposed to extreme temperatures.
Food and Drink
- Chocolate
Chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine, a bit like caffeine, that’s poisonous to dogs. - Alcohol
Alcohol is significantly more toxic to dogs than humans and may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma and even death. - Christmas pudding and mince pies
Apples, and sultanas contain substances and food that contain them are toxic to dogs. - Artificial sweeteners
One sweetener in particular, xylitol, is found in many foods, including some cakes. Ingestion can lead to potentially fatal liver failure and hypoglycemia. - Macadamia nuts
Can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting and hyperthermia within 12 hours of ingestion. - Onions
Can cause stomach irritation and lead to red blood cell damage and anaemia. - Blue cheese
Most blue cheeses contain a substance called roquefortine C, which dogs are sensitive to. - Cooked bones
Once cooked, bones become brittle and splinter easily. They can pierce your dog’s digestive tract or cause serious injuries.
Festive Decorations
- Christmas trees
Pine needles can cause mild stomach upset, cuts to the mouth and, in severe cases, even perforation to the intestines. - Fairy lights
Dogs often try to eat cables, including fairy lights. These can cause electric shocks if chewed. - Glass baubles
These tend to smash into shards when eaten, causing internal injuries. - Salt dough ornaments
Made by mixing flour, salt and water, these ornaments may be fatal if eaten as they can cause salt poisoning. - Tinsel
Can cause blockages, or even worse, work its way into the intestines, which can be extremely serious.
Presents
- Toys
Some dogs will see low-hanging things that catch their eye, including children’s toys, even if it’s likely to put them at risk. - Wrapping paper
While toxicity is low, eating a large amount of paper may cause an obstruction in the stomach. - Batteries
Ingestion of batteries is more common at Christmas and can cause chemical burns and heavy metal poisoning. - Silica gel
Commonly found in packaging and typically non-toxic, these can cause blockages in the gut.