Christmas has arrived again, a time for cheerful pleasure , on the other hand it is also a risky period for both us and our beloved pets. Pet Sitters London have tried to identify their top tips to reduce the dangers to our pets over Xmas. Dog walkers are frequently asked for advice or notice potential dangers to pets at Xmas. This is often a neglected part of pet care.
1. Your Xmas Tree
It is crucial that it is in a safe location and is firmly fixed. This pleasurable activity of decorating the tree with your kids, must be done in such a way that the cat, when it jumps up onto it, will not crash it down on to the pet. Pets can be put out of joint at Christmas and can become scared and likely to do anything, with the crowds, with all the new smells and sounds. If you can avoid putting the tree too near to furniture that will help the animal leap onto the tree. Ideas include tying the tree to the wall and or ceiling with some wire. A temporary hook into the wall is a great safety feature. Weighting down the tree roots / stem to improve stability is another way of avoiding problems.
If it is a real tree, clean up the pine trees, not just because it looks nicer, but pets can eat them and this can make them sick. Some of the water additives for prolonging the life of the tree are dangerous, make sure your pet cannot drink this water.
2. Christmas Decoration Care.
Glass Christmas balls are particularly dangerous, an alternative are the wooden and plastic balls. Dogs that chew these can die. Some of the bright streamers can also be attractive to dogs, to chew and block the intestines.
Take care with using hooks on attaching the ornaments to the trees, use string – it is far safer.
3. Dangers with Electrics.
The electrical wire can be both a dangerous trip hazard and an electrical hazard if pets bite into them. So use cable tidies, to put them out of harms way. Be extra careful if you have a pet that chews and is curious. Keep things turned off if no one in the room, or close the door.
4. Animal Behaviour
Though you may appear to have plenty of time, you are often distracted and paying more attention to other people / things than your dog.
So watch your pet.
Animal behaviour can become variable at Xmas with the new surroundings and people. Pets are protective and can see a reduction in attention, their preferred spot taken over by the Christmas tree as a menace to their home. They are much more likely to change behaviour, cats become scatty and scared, they can even go off their food – even if you are offering them some special Salmon or Turkey. Dogs risk being destructive, if they are not getting their exercise or enough attention and love. A particular risk even with very well trained and behaved dogs is the “ out of the ordinary” attacks on kids and babies. Keep kids and dogs apart if not being supervised carefully all the time. If busy consider a professional dog walker from a company such as Dog Walkers London. If you do not have the time for exercising the dog, book your dog sitter for a few walks over Christmas, though a good idea to do this early as they are likely to be busy.
5. Boxes of Christmas Presents
animals. Be especially careful if you have moved their bed to put the tree up and the presents around it. Dogs can rip the presents to pieces in minutes if you are unlucky. A great follow on risk is stomach blockages from the ribbons that they can eat, resulting in a trip to the local London veterinary clinic.
6. Food Dangers for Pets
Even at Christmas avoid feeding animals at the table, this habit is very difficult to break as they do not understand why it was OK at Christmas but not now!
Mistletoe and Poinsettias. Some food such as onions, which could be in the nice stew or some of the chocolate being handed around. Sugary products can cause dental problems and with thirty – fifty % of dogs suffering from being over weight these calories should be avoided. For pet and human, maybe go for a dog walk, he would probably prefer it.
7. Home Safety
A good check of the house is worthwhile, our pet sitters, often identify dangers and pass them onto the owners, such as live candles that would be knocked over by pets, especially dogs wagging tails.
Turn off potentially dangerous electrical items such as the Christmas tree lights when no human is present in the house.
So a little thought is a key element of pet care
Our best wishes for a safe and Merry Xmas for you and your animals.
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