It has never been easier to incorporate furry friends into Christmas plans with so many great dog-friendly campsites and pet-friendly accommodation around Australia. If you are holidaying with your pet’s, remember to pack their bags too - bedding, food, medication & bowls. So that pets can be identified easily should they become lost while holidaying, ensure registered microchips are up to date with your personal details. Most importantly, never leave your pet alone in a locked car, as they can die very quickly from heatstroke, even in milder weather.
Long days and warm nights mean there is no better time than summer to exercise your dog at the beach. It is important to keep a close eye for any potential risks that could spoil a great day out. Things to look for include signs of heatstroke, ticks and things that can be swallowed such as jellyfish or sea-urchins.
It can be very tempting to sneak a treat under the table to furry family members. Certain foods can be harmful or fatal to our fur-babies:
- Raisins and grapes can be fatally toxic even in small quantities, so no Christmas pudding or cake.
- Some pork products contain a high amount of fat, which can lead to illnesses like pancreatitis. Statistics show an increase in pancreatitis at Christmas time.
- Macadamia nuts are readily enjoyed at Christmas but are poisonous to dogs and can cause vomiting, weakness, fever, muscle tremors and depression.
- Ingestion of onions can contribute to stomach upsets and even cause anaemia.
- Lollies loaded with sugar can be worse for our pets than they can be for us. Lollies can disrupt your pet’s metabolism, with some artificial sweeteners being life threatening.
While it may seem obvious, allowing our pets to consume any alcohol is dangerous. It can cause alcohol toxicity and even seizures.
It may surprise many to learn that dogs’ and cats’ bodies were not designed to process dairy. Consuming dairy can cause stomach upsets, vomiting and diarrhea.
Keep the Christmas decorations out of paws reach. Baubles hanging from the tree may look like a tennis ball to inquisitive pets. Plastic or glass ornaments that break can cause serious long-term damage. If you a have a live tree, ensure the pine needles are cleaned up regularly as they can be sharp and become stuck in your pet’s paw or throat.
So much to celebrate, but so easy to have medical issues.
