Picture this: a twinkling tree with shimmering ornaments.

The smell of festive treats in the air. The warmth of family and friends filling your home. 

Now, while Christmas is truly magical, it also presents some hidden dangers to our pets. From glittering decorations to tempting treats and clamps of mistletoe…

But with a few small adjustments you can keep your pets safe and sound this season. 

Here’s how.

Christmas Decorations

Cats and dogs might find these shiny items irresistible to play with or even chew on. So don’t forget to keep an eye out for any fallen decorations or your pet’s attempts to get to them. 

And if you’ve got a cat, they might also be tempted to climb your Christmas tree. 

So it’s always a good idea to secure the tree in place. Or even use a small fence around it, to avoid your pet getting too close. 

Keep Festive Foods Away

While we’re enjoying our favourite treats, most of them can be harmful for pets.  

Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and foods containing xylitol (a common sweetener) are all toxic to dogs and cats. So, make sure you keep these out of reach in a cupboard or high shelf. 

And of course, always remind your guests not to share their plates with your pets. As not everyone will know this. 

Holiday Plants 

Mistletoe, holly, lilies, and poinsettias do look beautiful around this time of year. But, if your dog or cat ingests these, they can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and even oral or skin irritation. 

For this reason, we suggest keeping these plants well out of your pet’s reach, like on a high windowsill.  

But if your pet is a particularly skilled climber…You might want to reconsider the festive plants altogether.

An artificial plant can do the trick instead!

Long Walks & New Distractions 

Before the excitement of festivities, take your dog on a long, satisfying walk. 

This way they can burn off some energy, as a tired pup is less likely to get anxious or overexcited. It’s also the perfect opportunity for some one-to-one time before your house is full of relatives or friends. 

Avoiding any jealousy or separation anxiety. 

As for cats, if your feline doesn’t enjoy walks, swap these for some quality play time before your guests arrive. A light-up mouse chase can be a good way to tire your cat out. 

Keeping your pets engaged with new toys or puzzle feeders is also helpful. Try hiding some of their favourite treats around the house. They’ll love trying to sniff these out. 

A Quiet Space for Comfort

When the house is crowded, give your pets a safe space where they can retreat if overwhelmed. 

Set up a cosy spot with their bed, favourite toys, and maybe a familiar blanket. This gives them a place to relax and feel safe amidst the holiday chaos. 

We recommend you set this up well in advance. So your pet can get familiar with it, just in time for the holidays. 

Celebrate Safely 

Despite all the festive commotion, keeping your pets safe during the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated.

Taking some small precautions, will save you worrying about any hidden danger… Or last minute trips to the vet’s.

So you and your pet can truly enjoy the holiday season…