Dog owners urged to do these key things this Christmas to prevent disaster
The festive period is in full swing and households across the UK are getting ready for Christmas Day. Decorations have gone up and plenty of festive treats have been purchased, as people get ready to celebrate the best time of the year.
While Christmas is a joyous time for most, there is still many things to keep in mind during the festive season, especially if you're a dog owner. A warning has been issued to those with dogs at home this Christmas, as it's been revealed that one in five dogs have mistakenly eaten chocolate, in a survey conducted by Insure Your Paws - a specialist pet insurance provider.
Chocolate contains theobromine, which can lead to severe poisoning or even death in dogs. With Christmas typically being a time to indulge in sweet treats, pet owners have been urged to be vigilant and keep chocolate goods out of reach from their furry friends.
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The survey of UK pet owners found that over three-quarters of dog owners admitted their dog has eaten or chewed through something that they shouldn't, including toys, shoes and certain foods. Fourteen per cent admitted chocolate and sweets had been accidentally consumed by their pup, while eight per cent said grapes or raisins had been eaten, which can cause severe health issues including liver and kidney damage.
There are a number of top tips to keep your dogs safe this Christmas period - and one will take you by surprise. Firstly, keep treats stored away safely, this means keeping chocolate and other goods well out of reach.
Double check your leftovers before feeding them to your dog, keeping in mind that foods such as chocolate, sweets, grapes, onions and dairy products are harmful to dogs.
One tip that many pet owners aren't aware of is to watch out for xylitol, as this artificial sweetener is actually toxic to pets. Also, keep alcohol and caffeine-based products away from dogs.
There's also plenty of other tips for keeping your furry friends happy this festive season. As well as being vigilant around food, it's important to try and prepare your dog for Christmas, especially if you've got plenty of visitors coming.
Dogs Trust advises to stick your daily routine, including mealtimes and exercise, where possible, in order to keep your dogs calm and relaxed. This will help your pup to behave better around guests, and you can also use toys or treats to distract them from the influx in people.
If children are coming to visit who don't usually interact with dogs, try to have a chat with your guests beforehand. Dogs Trust also advises never to leave children along with a dog, and ensure they don't approach the dog when eating or sleeping.
