Ten Christmas foods that are toxic for your pets – and warning signs to look out for

As Christmas Day draws closer, many of us will already be sneaking a taste of our favourite festive snacks. And with a lot of food thrown away over the Christmas period, you may be tempted to treat your pets to some of the leftovers.

However, some common Christmas foods can actually make our pets seriously ill, so it is important to know which ones should be avoided.

Animal health specialists at OurFitPets have put together a list of common Christmas foods that can cause serious health problems for cats and dogs, as well as advice on what you should do if your furry friend accidentally eats any of these foods.

Christmas foods you should not give to cats and dogs

Christmas pudding
Mince pies
Sage and onion stuffing
Onion gravy
Chocolate
Macadamia nuts
Blue cheese
Alcohol
Turkey bones and fat
Mouldy foods

Christmas pudding and mince pies

These common Christmas treats contain dried fruits such as raisins, sultanas and currents, all of which are particularly toxic for cats and dogs and can cause kidney failure if consumed.

Signs that your pet has poisoning from these foods include vomiting, increased thirst and urinating less frequently than normal.

Safe and onion stuffing and onion gravy

Any foods that contain vegetables of the allium variety should be off the menu for cats or dogs. This includes fresh and powered forms of aromatics such as onions, garlic, shallots, leeks and chives, which are frequently found in Christmas stuffing and gravy.

These vegetables all contain a compound called N-propyl disulfide which is damaging to your pet’s red blood cells and can cause them to develop anaemia.

Signs of allium poisoning in pets includes diarrhoea, stomach pain, as well as presenting as fatigued, weak or off their regular food.

Chocolate

Chocolate can be particularly toxic for cats and dogs as it contains a compound called theobromine, which animals can’t metabolise easily, and causes overstimulation of their muscles, including their heart.

Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the worst offenders as they contain the highest levels of theobromine, while white chocolate is the least harmful as it contains only a small amount of the compound. Although it’s still not recommended giving your pets white chocolate, as the high levels of fat and sugar are still likely to upset their stomach.

Signs of chocolate poisoning in pets includes; vomiting, a more excitable mood or muscle twitching, elevated heart rate or breathing, tremors or twitching.

Macadamia nuts

While it’s not fully understood why Macadamia nuts are unsafe for domestic animals, consuming them can cause your cat or dog to appear weak or sleepy and can cause painful or stiff joints that may make it difficult for them to walk.

This variety of nut can also induce vomiting, tremors and raised body temperature for up to two days.

Blue cheese and mouldy foods

Blue cheese such as Roquefort contain a compound called roquefortine C, which is known to cause muscle tremors and seizures in cats and dogs for up to two days.

Like blue cheese, gone off dairy or bread products contain fungi and mould which produce mycotoxins that can produce similar negative effects for cats and dogs when ingested.

Alcohol

Animals are more sensitive to the ethanol present in alcohol than humans are. Consumption of alcohol will cause your pet to become drowsy and unstable on their feet and at worst can cause a drop in body temperature and blood sugar, which can lead to seizures or a coma.

Turkey bones and fat

While not necessarily toxic to cats and dogs, turkey bones can be brittle which means there is a high chance of them splintering and lodging in your pet’s throat or stomach.

Turkey fat and fatty foods in general, shouldn’t be given to pets in large quantities either, as they can cause stomach discomfort and diarrhoea.

Tips to prevent your pets from eating unsafe foods

Keep chocolate out of reach

It may sound obvious, but tubs of chocolate and advent calendars should be kept out of your dog’s reach or in the fridge where possible.

Remove chocolate decorations from your Christmas tree as your pets can still knock these off, even if these are hung high up.

Avoid putting chocolate selection boxes as presents under the tree, as dogs can smell them through the wrapping paper.

Keep pets in another room while eating

Try to keep your pets in a separate room of the house during Christmas dinner, to avoid them eating unsafe foods that might have dropped on the floor.

Always check the ingredients

Always check the list of ingredients in any food before feeding to your pet. Many products will contain onion or garlic powder as flavouring, which is just as harmful for your pet as the real thing.

What to do if your pet has eaten something it shouldn’t have

Even if your cat or dog has only eaten a small amount of these foods, it’s important to do the following:

Call the vet straight away – Don’t wait for your pet to start showing symptoms. A vet will be able to offer advice, and the quicker you act, the better chance your pet will have of recovery.
Note the time and quantity of food ingested – Provide the vet with as much information as you can. This includes the time your pet ate the unsafe food, brand names, the ingredient list and how much you think they consumed
Don’t try to make your pet sick – Attempting this can cause further health complications. Leave this to your vet, as they are trained to do this in a safe manner.

Dalmatian dodges death after scoffing pack of Christmas After Eights

A six-year-old Dalmatian from Derby has narrowly avoided a Christmas catastrophe after eating an almost full pack of After Eights chocolate – including the wrappers.

But thanks to life-saving veterinary care funded by the UK’s largest vet charity, PDSA, the much-loved family pet Reggie will still get to enjoy the festive season with his family.

Reggie got his paws on the chocolate when his owner, Natalie Wood (31), popped out with her son, Brooklyn (10), to football practice.

“When I got home I noticed straightaway what had happened. I’d had three myself and left the box on the side in the kitchen, which I thought was out of his reach, but when I got home the rest of the chocolates had gone with just the box left, so I knew he had eaten almost the whole pack, including the wrappers,” Natalie explained. “I panicked because I know how dangerous chocolate can be to dogs so I called my local PDSA straightaway.”

PDSA confirmed they could help Reggie and advised Natalie to take him to their out of hours provider Vets Now in Derby. Once there, the vets gave Reggie an injection to make him sick.

Luckily, thanks to Natalie’s quick thinking and the treatment, which cost more than £300 and was funded by PDSA, Reggie made a full recovery and was able to return home the same day with medication to prevent his body from absorbing any remaining toxins.

“Usually Reggie is such a happy and playful dog, but he was really feeling sorry for himself that day, you could tell he wasn’t himself,” Natalie explained.

“But when we got home, I gave him a plain dinner of chicken and rice and the medication the vets gave us, and then he slept all night. He woke up the next morning and was back to normal!”

Ahead of the Christmas period, Natalie and PDSA are warning other pet owners of the dangers festive treats can pose to furry friends.

“Everyone knows chocolate is poisonous to dogs so I dread to think what would have happened to Reggie without PDSA,” Natalie added.

“With the cost of living crisis at the moment, I’m noticing everything is going up, from milk to petrol, and with Christmas around the corner, money is really tight. I have no idea what I would have done without PDSA as I would have struggled to afford the care Reggie needed to save his life.”

Natalie, who lives in Swadlincote, adopted Reggie when he was just a year old. “He’s been my best friend ever since,” she said. “He is one of the family; life wouldn’t be the same without him.”

PDSA Veterinary Nurse Shauna Spooner said: “Many of us have treats, sweets and chocolates in the house, and while the festive period can be a time for indulgence, it’s important to remember that some of these foods are very harmful to our pets.

“Foods including chocolate, mince pies, onions, raisins, grapes, some nuts, sage-and-onion stuffing and Christmas cake can all be harmful and should be kept safely out of paws’ reach over Christmas.

“If you suspect your dog has eaten any amount of chocolate, call your vet straight away for advice, don’t wait for symptoms to appear, but there are some key signs to be aware of:

“Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and rabbits. In severe cases, chocolate poisoning in dogs can cause fits and even death. There are some signs you can look out for if you think your pet may have accidentally eaten chocolate:

Excessive thirst
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
A tender tummy and restlessness
Tremors
A racing heart or abnormal heart rhythm
Raised body temperature and rapid breathing

“The higher the cocoa content of the chocolate, the more dangerous it is, so dark chocolate poses the biggest risk to pets.”

In times of hardship pets like Reggie will still fall ill or become injured and need emergency care.

PDSA is appealing for donations so that the charity can continue to support owners who have nowhere else to turn by providing life-saving care to vulnerable pets. To donate, visit pdsa.org.uk/donate.

To download the PDSA’s free Christmas survival guide visit pdsa.org.uk/xmas-survival-guide

Festive feast for four-legged friends!

How to create a ‘dog-safe’ Christmas dinner

Everyone wants their pets to feel included on Christmas Day and one way you might be thinking of doing this is to give them a share of your festive feast.

However, it is important to remember what is and, more importantly, is not safe for your dogs to eat. Luckily, PDSA vets are on hand with some top tips on how to safely share your delicious Christmas dinner with your dogs this festive season.

PDSA Vet, Lynne James, said: “There are parts of a ‘typical’ Christmas dinner that we can share with our furry friends, and I’m sure they would very much enjoy, but there are also parts that we should keep away from our pets at all costs.”

Brown and white dog sat on chair near Christmas tree

Lynne explained the ‘dog-safe’ parts of a roast include:

Boneless white turkey meat
Carrot and swede mash (make sure it doesn’t have onion in)
Vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, green beans, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, peas and cauliflower.

“But remember, it is important to make sure the food is plain and not covered in glaze, sauce, gravy, or seasoning as this could upset your dog’s stomach,” Lynne added.

“Other foods, such as cheese sauce, roast potatoes, bacon, and pigs in blankets aren’t dangerous but are high in fat and could easily upset your dog’s stomach, and they will likely pile on the pounds with all those extra calories.”

Lynne also shared a list of forbidden foods, which are highly dangerous to our four-legged friends and can have fatal consequences:

Onions
Garlic
Leeks
Shallots
Mincemeat
Currants, raisins and sultanas
Bones
Alcohol
Chocolate

PDSA Vet Lynne’s top Christmas dinner tips

Don’t overshare with your dog in the weeks and days surrounding Christmas because you may find that they start to expect something every time you have a meal, which encourages begging behaviour and is unhealthy in the long-term.
Remember portion control and don’t go crazy – our dogs are much smaller than us, and what seems like a tiny amount of food to us will be a huge treat in their eyes! For a small dog breed, such as a Border Terrier, eating just four pigs in blankets is the equivalent of a human eating an entire Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
Have your vet’s out-of-hours number stored in your phone so, should an emergency occur and your dog eats something they shouldn’t, you can contact them immediately!
If you do feed your dog a little treat, make sure it’s no more than 10 per cent of their daily food intake, and remember to reduce the amount of food in their next meal to avoid over feeding them.

PDSA relies on donations to deliver life-saving treatment to hundreds of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK.

To keep families together this winter, the charity is urgently calling on the public’s support more than ever to prevent vulnerable people having to make a truly heart-breaking decision.

To find out more about PDSA’s vital work during the cost-of-living crisis, or to donate, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/costoflovingcrisis.

Dog fosterers providing room at the inn this Christmas

Thanks to dog-loving volunteers in Scotland homeless hounds from Dogs Trust Dundee have found room at the inn this Christmas.

As well as opening presents on Christmas Day, volunteer foster carers have opened their hearts and homes to dogs in need of a temporary abode whilst they wait to be adopted.

Dogs Trust’s Home From Home scheme launched in 2015 to find foster homes for dogs that need a little extra care and attention, away from the hustle and bustle of rehoming centre life. This can include young puppies, older dogs and those that have lived their entire life in a home.

Earlier this year Dogs Trust extended its Home from Home Scheme into Dundee and the surrounding counties of Angus, Tayside, Perthshire and Fife. Two dogs will spend this Christmas in Dogs Trust foster homes in these areas with 34 being rehomed this year through the scheme.

Volunteer foster carers also help to free up space in Dogs Trust kennels, something that has proved to be essential this year as the charity faces the busiest time in its history. Since January, Dogs Trust has received a record number of enquiries throughout the UK from owners needing to rehome their dogs, and there are currently around 1,000 dogs on the waiting list to come into Dogs Trust care.

Foster carers, Malcolm Rae and Judy Butellova, live in Glenrothes and Labrador/cross Seth is the first dog they have fostered through the scheme since October when they became fosterer carers.

Malcolm said: “Being a foster carer is a new experience for us and we are finding it so rewarding, especially seeing the change in the dog as they settle into a home environment and their personality starts to emerge.

“We love lavishing our attention on them and taking them into our home whilst they wait to be adopted. Having a dog with us at Christmas is particularly special and we are looking forward to celebrating the festivities with Seth and spoiling him with a present or two.”

Eight-year-old Seth, who came into Dogs Trust care after being found as a stray, is a super sweet boy who loves a snuggle on the sofa. He can be a little shy at first but soon comes round and when he does you have a best friend for life. He loves toys and thoroughly enjoys playing with his favourite ball. He’s housetrained and can live with children aged 16 and over. He enjoys walking with doggy friends and can live with another calm dog.

Megan Wilkinson, Home from Home Co-ordinator at Dogs Trust Dundee, said: “Our foster scheme means some of the dogs that have found themselves in our care can continue to enjoy the home comforts which come with being part of a loving family.

“Our team of volunteer foster carers are amazing and allow us to look after even more dogs as every dog in foster care, frees up a kennel for another dog in need.

“Christmas is often thought of as a time for family so we are so incredibly thankful to our fantastic foster carers taking in our rescue dogs at this special time of year. They are dedicated to providing our dogs with a safe and loving home environment whilst they await a visit from Santa and their new families.

“For anyone who is a dog lover but can’t commit to having a dog long-term, fostering could be the ideal solution.”

Volunteer foster carers are provided with everything the dog needs including food, bedding and toys, and the charity will cover the cost of any necessary vet bills. They are also supported by the Dogs Trust team for guidance and advice whenever needed.   

If you can help or would like to find out more, please contact Dogs Trust Dundee on 0303 003 000 or email HFH.Dundee@dogstrust.org.uk

For more information about Seth or any of the dogs in Dundee patiently waiting to find their special someone check out our website https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming

28% of pets in Scotland at risk of not receiving vital treatment

Figures from the UKs largest veterinary charity, PDSA, have revealed that more than a quarter (28%) of owners in Scotland are worried about affording vet bills – leaving them facing potentially heart-breaking decisions should their pet become ill or injured.

We are a nation of animal lovers – 83% of owners in Scotlandⁱ say their pet makes them feel less lonely. But, as the cost of living crisis continues to hit households hard, stats from PDSA show that 7% Scotland-based pet owners would consider rehoming their pet if they were unable to afford the treatment needed should they become ill or injured.

PDSA has cautioned that these concerning findings reflect the forgotten victims of the cost-of-living crisis, as prices for essentials such as fuel (diesel – 26%, petrol – 13%), energy (80%) and food (17%) increase. This is only at risk of worsening as we head further into the frosty winter months.

Increasingly stretched finances could be putting UK pets in a potentially fatal situation, with a staggering 930,000ⁱⁱpets at risk of being put to sleep if their owners were hit with unexpected veterinary bills.

Research found that a third of owners (33%) turning to PDSA for help in October this year said that the cost-of-living crisis was a key factor in registering their pet with the charity, and an overwhelming are 98% concerned how the crisis will affect them and their family.

For many, the vital services provided by PDSA are the only difference between keeping their pet with the family, rehoming or euthanising; as owners struggle to choose between eating, heating their home, or treating their pet.

When surveyed, 81% of PDSA clientssaid they would prioritise paying for their pet’s emergency veterinary care over household bills should the situation arise. Meanwhile, 85%^vi would put their pet’s need for things such as food and veterinary care over their own needs, such as food or heating.

This comes as the number of people claiming Universal Credit soared by nearly 100,000 between August and October, reaching its highest level of the year in October 2022 – more than 5.7 million people – and the highest number of claims this year.

PDSA Veterinary Surgeon Lynne James said: “The rising cost of living is a cause of real concern for Scotland families, but even more so for the most vulnerable, who often rely on the companionship of a pet – particularly during what can be the coldest and most lonely time of year.

“More than half of those who rely on PDSA services are aged 55 and over, and 37% are disabled or living with a serious health condition – making our Pet Hospitals a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable owners and their pets.

“In 2021, we treated over 370,000 pets and saved the lives of 134,000 animals – ultimately keeping furry family members united with their owners, which we know is a lifeline for many. As families continue to be stretched financially, demand for our support shows no signs of abating.

“Sadly, it’s not always possible to predict when a pet might become unwell or injured, making it extremely difficult for owners to prepare for such an event – especially for the 19% of Scotland-based owners already living in poverty^[vii].

“It’s PDSA’s mission to keep families together. We would encourage anyone who is struggling to afford the cost of veterinary treatment to find out if they are entitled to access our services by visiting the eligibility checker on our website. We also have lots of free advice on how to reduce the cost of caring for pets, while ensuring they remain healthy and happy.”

PDSA relies on donations to deliver vital treatment to hundreds of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK. To keep families together this winter, the charity is urgently calling on the public’s support more than ever to prevent vulnerable people having to make a truly heartbreaking decision.

To find out more about PDSA’s vital work during the cost-of-living crisis, or to donate, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/costoflovingcrisis.

Mystery surrounds missing cat as sibling is found 400 miles from home

A Norfolk couple are hoping for a Christmas miracle as they appeal for the return of their beautiful grey cat who they believe could be lost 400 miles away in Scotland.

Toni Jarvis and Ben Smith’s four-year-old cats Duchess and Queenie went missing from their front garden in August and, after extensive local searches, they lost all hope of seeing them again. Then two months later, Duchess was found in Glasgow, 400 miles from their home in Great Yarmouth. She was returned home, thanks to her microchip. Sadly, Queenie is still missing.

Toni, a health support worker, of Gorleston, said: “I remember the day they went missing as if it were yesterday. We had to go out and both cats were playing in the front garden. We wouldn’t be out long, so my partner Ben said let’s leave them to play. I felt oddly nervous, but I left anyway. With hindsight, I should have trusted my instincts.

“When we got back the cats were nowhere to be seen. I knocked on my neighbour’s door and she said she seen two workmen in our street fussing both cats but since they had gone, she hadn’t seen the cats. I called their names repeatedly as normally they would come running home, but nothing.

“I waited until after the school run and asked everyone on my road if they had seen them and no one had so we went looking for them, walking and calling their names for over two hours but there was neither sight nor sound of them. It was very odd that they had both gone missing.”

The next day, Toni posted on local Facebook pages, appealing for any news about the family cats. She also made posters and put them up in streets around their neighbourhood and called local vets and cat rescues to see if the cats had perhaps been injured and taken into care. Sadly, nobody had seen Queenie or Duchess.

That was until October, when Christine Cutts, Cat Welfare Team Leader at Cats Protection’s Anglia Coastal Branch, received a call from a microchip database company to check on a chipped cat that had been found in Glasgow, some 400 miles away from its registered address in Norfolk.

Branch volunteer Lynne Pothecary said: “When the situation was explained Ben was very shocked and pleased to find out that Duchess had been found. He and his partner had thought that the cats were gone for good. They couldn’t believe she’d been found so far away in Scotland and couldn’t imagine how she got there.”

Toni added: “I was at work when Ben called to say Duchess had been found. I remember asking if it was real, I couldn’t believe him. I was crying down the phone, with my colleagues asking if I was ok and Ben telling me to calm down. I had to wait for another phone call an hour later when he had more details. It felt like a life time.”

That later call revealed that Duchess had been found roaming the Glasgow streets and was taken to a vet by a lady who assumed she was lost. Lucky for Duchess, her owners could be traced, thanks to her microchip. In the coming days, a neighbour who had been visiting Scotland brought Duchess home to the family.

Ben and Toni believe the inseparable pair might have followed each other into misadventure and maybe Queenie could be in Glasgow still. Toni said: “All we can assume is that they stowed away together aboard a van and the driver didn’t realise they were there. That’s why we hope Queenie might still be found.”

Lynne said: “Duchess’ return to her family is credit to the cat being microchipped. That is the hope for Queenie, that she might be traced by her microchip. Our Cats Protection team in Glasgow has appealed for any information but we didn’t hear anything positive so far. If anyone in Glasgow can help us locate Queenie, please get in touch.”

Toni and Ben are desperate to reunite their family in time for the new year. “Duchess is very playful but she does seem to be missing her sister. She’s not her usual self but our kids are trying to make her feel like everything is normal. But nothing beats playing with your sister. The only downside to our joy is that Queenie is still missing.

“We would love Queenie to come home to us,’ said Toni. “We appeal for anyone with any information to please get in touch. It would be a Christmas miracle.”

If you have information about Queenie, please contact Cats Protection’s Anglia Coastal Branch at publicity@angliacoastal.cats.org.uk.

Pet owners urged to pet proof your Christmas and stay off Santa Paw’s naughty list

Animal lovers in Scotland are being encouraged to keep their pets safe this festive season by pet proofing their Christmas, ensuring anything which may be mistaken for a tasty treat is out of paw’s reach.

The warning comes as new research from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) reveals nearly four in five companion animal vets in Scotland saw at least one case of toxic ingestion over the 2021 Christmas period.

The festive season brings with it presents, decorations and yummy festive food. But these seemingly innocent pleasures can be deadly if eaten by animals. Chocolate, raisins and other dried fruit – such as that in mince pies or Christmas puddings – onion, garlic, xylitol in sugar-free products and seasonal decorations like mistletoe and holly can all be dangerous, and even fatal, to dogs and cats if eaten.

New Voice of the Veterinary Profession research shows that thousands of vets across the UK treated dogs for toxic ingestion last Christmas season, with 76% seeing cases of chocolate poisoning and 69% seeing dogs taken unwell after easing raisins or sultanas. Around a fifth (19%) reported seeing cases caused by the artificial sweetener Xylitol.

Foreign body ingestion in dogs was also common over the 2021 festive period, with gifts for humans, including small parts of children’s toys, being the most common cause (14%) while consumption of Christmas decorations and gifts for pets (12%) and wrapping (five per cent) were also highlighted by vets as causing issues.

But it’s not just dogs who should be on Santa’s naughty list: more than a quarter of vets (27%) also saw cases of toxic ingestion in cats, who were most likely to have ingested non-food items such as seasonal plants like holly or mistletoe (reported by 18% of vets) or antifreeze (seven per cent). Thirteen per cent of vets saw cats with foreign body ingestion, including seven per cent seeing cases caused by Christmas decorations and three per cent by wrapping.

British Veterinary Association President Malcolm Morley said: “Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year but not if you end up with a poorly pet. Being vigilant and taking a few key precautions is all that is needed to keep your pets happy and healthy over the festive period.

“Keep all edible items, decorations and anything else a pet may mistake for a tasty treat out of their reach to help prevent avoidable emergency visits to the vet. We also advise keeping pets to their normal diets and avoiding feeding them any human food. If you are concerned your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have, do contact your vet as soon as possible.”

Top tips for keeping Christmas hazard-free for pets

Protect your pet from poisons: A range of festive treats and traditions, such as chocolate in advent calendars and sweets, raisins, xylitol (found in sugar-free treats), nuts, grapes, liquorice, poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are toxic to cats and dogs.
Keep decorations out of reach: Ribbons, wrapping paper, baubles, tinsel and tree lights can seem like appealing playthings to cats and dogs but can be very dangerous if broken, chewed or swallowed. Batteries for Christmas gifts also need to be kept safe as, if ingested, they may cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat and stomach.
Forget festive food for pets: We all enjoy a richer diet over Christmas, but fatty foods and Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared with the animals of the household. They can trigger sickness and diarrhoea or other conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis, so try to stick to your pet’s regular diet and routine. Too many treats can also lead to pet obesity.
Keep away the bones: Cooked bones, including turkey bones, should not be given to pets as they can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.
Know where to go: Even with all the care in the world, animal accidents and emergencies can still happen. Make sure you’re prepared by checking your vet’s emergency cover provision and holiday opening hours or, if you are away from home, use the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Find a Vet facility.

For more information on pets and poisons, download Animal Welfare Foundation’s free Pets and Poisons leaflet.

Pets-and-Poisons-1 Download

PDSA’s advice to keep your pet safe through the winter season

As the temperature drops through the winter months, the UK’s largest vet charity PDSA is warning owners to take extra care of their four-legged friends.

Despite their fur coats, pets need a little extra TLC when it’s cold to ensure they’re safe and warm as the winter frost begins to bite.

As the evenings are darker and the weather gets colder, it can be difficult to adapt for both us and our pets, whether you have a dog, cat or a smaller pet.

Here are PDSA’s top tips for taking care of furry family members this winter, so owners are prepared whatever the weather.

Keeping safe outside

The winter season isn’t always the most pleasant for our pets – take extra care when outdoors and watch out for these common winter hazards:

Salt and grit – used on roads in winter can irritate pet’s paws. If you end up walking on salt and grit, be sure to wash your pet’s paws upon returning home. For an added layer of protection, you could apply a thin layer of paw butter or other pet-safe skin cream to your dog’s pads to help protect them from cracking.

Snowy paws – if it’s a white Christmas, the snow can build up on dogs’ paws and cause them discomfort, so prepare paws by keeping hair between pads trimmed, so there’s less hair for snow to gather on. When you get home from your snowy walk, check your dog’s paws and soak off any snow in warm water.

Antifreeze and de-icer – used to stop cars icing up in winter but it’s incredibly toxic for animals and can be fatal if ingested. If you suspect your pet may have licked some antifreeze, contact your vet and get them to your vet for treatment straight away, so they can start treatment immediately. Never wait for symptoms to appear. Keep antifreeze out of the reach of pets and clean up any spills really thoroughly – so no one is put at risk.

Provide shelter – ideally on very wintry nights we’d advise that you keep your dogs and cats indoors, but if your cat is determined to explore the great outdoors no matter the weather, ensure they can get back inside your home or have a warm shelter they can go to at any time. This is especially important if you don’t have a cat flap or if your cat flap has frozen up or if it has become blocked by snow.

Check your cars – cats often shelter under cars in cold and wet weather, or can climb inside the bonnet to take advantage of a warm engine. Always check under the bonnet for visitors who may have climbed up inside and a good knock on the bonnet before you start the car as an additional safety check.

Storms and floods – can cause havoc, so it’s best to be prepared for bad weather over winter. Take a look at our stormy weather advice.

Poisonous plants – festive favourites like holly, ivy and poinsettia are all toxic to pets if they eat them. For peace of mind, keep them out of your pet’s reach. See our full list of poisonous plants for more information.

Winter Walkies

Many dogs still love the chance to go out on adventures during the colder months, here are a couple of tips when exploring the great outdoors in winter:

Take extra precautions during walks when the sun goes down – LED collars, hi-vis leads and coats, as well as a torch are great for lighting the way and being visible.

Some dogs grow thick furry coats all year round, so aren’t as bothered by the chilly weather, but some shorter-haired breeds, puppies and older dogs may need extra help staying warm and would benefit from wearing a coat in colder weather.

Staying active is really important, so you don’t let your pet become a winter couch potato!

If winter weather prevents you providing your pet with vital exercise, remember that if your pet’s activity level has dropped, so should how much you feed!

Always be extra careful and watch your step on walks, as icy surfaces can be just as slippery for our pets.

Frozen ponds may be enticing for curious canines, but are as dangerous to our pets as they are us. To keep your dog safe around bodies of water, keep them on a lead.

Keep them warm, cosy and active indoors

Pets often enjoy the chance to snuggle down indoors when the temperature drops. There are a few things you can do to make staying inside more pleasant all round:

Your cat or dog may really appreciate a few extra comfy spaces to curl up in around the house, or a few extra blankets for their bed to help them stay cosy and warm. Raise beds off the floor, so they’re not sitting in a cold draught.

It’s a good idea to provide your cat with a couple of litter trays inside, even if they always like to toilet outside. This gives them the option of keeping warm indoors whilst the weather is really bad.

It’s extremely important to keep your pets active whatever the weather. If your pet is likely to miss out on vital exercise due to poor weather, ensure they have some toys to keep them entertained. Make sure you also engage in some enrichment activities with your pet, to keep their mind active too!

Pets can start to get stiff joints and arthritis in their old age and sometimes colder weather can make this worse. Make sure you take good care of your older pet’s joints, especially in the cold.

Caring for smaller pets

Our small pets (such as rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets) can really feel the cold and changes in weather, and are very susceptible to temperature changes.

A sudden drop in temperatures can be a real shock to the system, but there are a number of things you can do to help them:

If your pets normally live outdoors, bring them into a sheltered area, that is out of draughts, such as a shed or car-free garage protected from rain and snow. Pets that are used to living outside may find a centrally heated home quite a stark contrast, so a half-way house like suggested is ideal, but if you haven’t got that option, control the temperature, so it’s not too warm for them. Make sure they have access to natural light and an exercise run.

Keep them cosy. All small pets should have extra bedding over winter so make sure there’s plenty, that it’s dry and very deep so they can snuggle right down.

If there is no option but to keep hutches and runs outside, then drape a blanket or piece of carpet over the open mesh door of their living quarters to keep out strong winds and driving rain or snow. You will need to make sure that there’s plenty of fresh air for your pets though. You can also insulate outside walls with newspapers covered with plastic sheeting but make sure this doesn’t obstruct the ventilation. You can also get pet-safe microwavable heat pads to help keep hutches warm,

Don’t forget to check water bottles and their nozzles every day, multiple times a day in very cold weather to make sure they aren’t frozen. Provide other sources of water too, such as a water bowl.

In the cold temperatures it’s important to be aware of hypothermia.If our pets get too cold, they can be at risk of developing hypothermia. Find out what signs to look out for and how to prevent it happening.

For more information about having a fun and safe winter season with your pets, please visit the PDSA website.

I’m a pet expert – here are five things to avoid this Christmas

The party season is nearly upon us, but before you dust off your decorations and defrost the turkey, it’s important to be aware of potential dangers that could be putting your pet at risk this Christmas.

PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, shares the toxic treats and decorative dangers to watch out for this festive season:

“Every Christmas we treat poorly pets at our PDSA Pet Hospitals who are suffering from illness and injuries that their owners just didn’t know could be caused by some of their yuletide traditions. I’d urge owners to be aware of the potential dangers that some of our festive favourites present to our furry family members.”

Here are Nina’s top tips for making sure your pet stays safe this Christmas:

Deck the halls

Twinkly lights, glittery baubles, and tinsel are what give our homes a touch of festive magic, but they’re also tantalisingly tempting to curious paws. Should your furry family member get hold of a shiny adornment, they may smash it and cut themselves, or even mistake it for a tasty treat – potentially causing life-threatening blockages which require emergency treatment.

Keep fairy lights well away from small furry friends’ enclosures too, to avoid them nibbling through the wires and giving themselves a shock. Many festive plants are also toxic to pets, so make sure they’re well out of paws’ reach.

A tree-mendous occasion

Whether real or artificial, your cat may see your Christmas tree as the purr-fect climbing challenge. This could result in broken baubles and lots of mess at best, or an injured puss at worst, so always supervise them to avoid any mishaps.

Chocolate baubles are also a festive favourite but, if you own a pet, this is one tradition to leave out of your celebrations. Chocolate is toxic to our furry friends and hanging it on the tree makes it all too easy for them to have a little snack.

Santa Paws is coming to town

The thrill of opening presents may distract you from keeping a close eye on your furry friends, but there are several things to watch out for among the mountains of wrapping paper. Sticky tape, bows, ribbons, and string can be a choking hazard and cause internal blockages if swallowed by our precious pets. Take care to pick up any leftover wrapping or toy batteries and watch out for the beady eyes of soft toys, as these can cause serious problems for our pets if chewed up and swallowed.

Festive food

Christmas dinner may be a highlight of the day for us but no matter how tempting, don’t give in to any purr-suasion. Not only can a sudden change in diet cause an upset stomach, some parts of our festive feast can also be highly toxic to pets, including onions, garlic, and mince pies.

It’s also important to bear in mind potion sizes – a small dog breed, such as a Border Terrier, eating 4 pigs in blankets is the equivalent of a human eating an entire Christmas dinner with all the trimmings! So, sticking to healthy treats will prevent our pets from piling on the pounds.

A jolly Christmas

The hustle and bustle of Christmas can become particularly overwhelming for furry family members, so it’s important to offer a safe space for them to escape the festivities. This could be a den you have built or even their regular bed in a quieter room. For smaller pets, moving their enclosure to a quiet space will give them some peace during busier periods.

It’s also easy to forget what day it is over the festive period, but remember that four-legged family members benefit from the consistency of a routine – whether that’s sticking to the usual time they go for a walk, or when you feed them.

For more information on how to safely enjoy the festive season with pets, you can visit: www.pdsa.org.uk/xmas-guide

Savvy shoppers urged to bag festive bargains at PDSA charity shops

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, is urging savvy shoppers to combat the cost of living crisis this Christmas by picking up pre-loved presents and brand new gifts from its charity shops across the UK.

With inflation at a 40-year high, families who are feeling the squeeze can make vital savings this season by popping into one of PDSA’s 105 shops and choosing from a treasure trove of bargains.

By shopping in the stores, kind-hearted customers will not only be reducing their own costs, they will also be helping to fund the vital work of the charity’s 48 Pet Hospitals.

PDSA is the UK’s largest veterinary charity. It receives no government funding to provide its vital veterinary services, which are a lifeline to owners who would otherwise struggle to afford treatment if their pet unexpectedly becomes ill or gets injured.

In 2021, PDSA treated more than 370,000 pets and saved the lives of 134,000 animals – ultimately keeping furry family members united with their owners. As day-to-day prices continue to soar and households are hit by increased financial pressures, the charity expects demand for its services to grow.

Its 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, conducted in March, found that nearly a third of pet owners surveyed are worried about affording veterinary costs – leaving them facing potentially heart-breaking decisions should their pet require treatment.

The results follow shocking statistics from the 2021 PAW Report which revealed a staggering 930,000 pets were at risk of being put to sleep if their owners were hit with unexpected vet bills.

PDSA Head of Retail and Buying, Lloyd Hughes, said: “Our charity shops play a crucial role in funding the work of our Pet Hospitals which, in turn, provide a lifeline to people and their beloved pets when they are most in need.

“The help we offer to owners who would otherwise struggle to afford the cost of veterinary treatment has never been more vital as the cost of living continues to rise and day-to-day expenses soar.

“All of the items we sell, whether they are pre-loved or brand-new, are high-quality and available at bargain prices so shoppers supporting us can be sure they will find an array of Christmas gifts for friends and family, even if they are on a tight budget.

“From books to clothes, household items to toys, we have a great selection which won’t break the bank. By shopping at PDSA, customers will also be making a positive difference to the lives of pet owners who are facing unprecedented financial challenges so it really is a win, win situation.”

Those who do not have a charity shop locally can still bag a bargain and support PDSA by visiting the ebay store.

PDSA believes no one should be faced with losing a beloved pet because they can no longer afford to pay for treatment. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.

PDSA encourages all supporters to sign up for Gift Aid* if they are a UK tax payer, to help their donations go even further. Gift Aid allows PDSA to claim an additional 25 per cent of the value of each item sold.

To find out more visit PDSA’s charity shops page.

Paws for thought: Give a gift with meaning this Christmas

Charity launches cards that will help pets in need

Christmas is just around the corner and as living costs soar, a 24% increase in searches for ‘thoughtful Christmas gifts’ suggests that people are moving away from expensive material presents this festive season.

PDSA, the UK’s largest veterinary charity, has revealed its customisable charity donation Christmas cards, providing the perfect choice for those looking to give a present with meaning this year. By gifting a card from the adorable animal-themed range, you’ll be helping PDSA to deliver treatments to hundreds of thousands of poorly pets nationwide, keeping families together this winter.

Not only are there several card designs to choose from, you can also decide how much you wish to donate, with gifts starting from £10.

‘It’s Christmas’, available from pdsapetstore.org.uk

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‘Fleas Navidad’, available from pdsapetstore.org.uk

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‘Happy Christmas Dawg’, available from pdsapetstore.org.uk

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‘Happy X-Mouse’, available from pdsapetstore.org.uk

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‘Merry Christmas’, available from pdsapetstore.org.uk

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‘Not a creature was stirring’, available from pdsapetstore.org.uk

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PDSA relies on donations to deliver life-saving treatment to tens of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK.

To keep families together this winter, the charity is urgently calling on the public’s support to prevent vulnerable people having to make truly heart-breaking decisions.

To find out more about PDSA’s vital work during the cost of living crisis, or to donate, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/costoflovingcrisis