As many homes have got all their lovely decorations up for Christmas, dog owners are being warned about decorations that could be extremely dangerous to their pets.
Vets have said that tinsel, if ingested, can pose a real threat to dogs, and last year, one was left fighting for its life.
Last Christmas, an eight-year-old crossbreed named Shylah consumed a metre of tinsel which left her very poorly.
Shylah’s owner recalled how, prior to the incident, she had gotten scared over the fireworks.
Not long after, they realised that a large section of tinsel was missing from the mantelpiece and then became concerned after Shylah began to feel sick.
The owners told the BBC: “I wondered if Shylah might’ve eaten it, but it wasn’t until a bit later when she went off her food and was sick that I got really worried.
“Shylah is my world, and I was worried sick when they said she had to have surgery.”
They called local pet hospital, Wolverhampton PDSA, after Shylah became sick, and it was at the hospital that an X-ray showed that she had consumed tinsel. The owner shared that the outcome could have been more severe had she not acted fast.
Now, experts are warning others against leaving tinsel where pets can reach. Jane Cutler, a senior vet at the hospital, reminded dog owners that emergencies “don’t stop coming just because it’s Christmas.”
But it’s not only tinsel and other decorations that are dangerous for pets over Christmas. Pet owners should also consider keeping certain festive foods away.
Mince pies are one of the foods that are toxic to dogs. Ralph, a nine-year-old Italian Spinone, was rushed for emergency treatment after eating 12 mince pies last Christmas. Following the incident, animal charity Blue Cross is now making pet owners aware of the hazards that come with the Christmas period.
Runa Hanaghan, veterinary standards lead at Blue Cross, said: “Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year, but it’s important to remember our pets in all the festive fun.
“Foods like chocolate and raisins, common in many holiday treats, are highly toxic to dogs, and we often see an increase in calls to our veterinary services during this period, with the number of vet visits to Blue Cross hospitals mentioning ‘chocolate’ doubling around Christmas.
“By being mindful of these risks and taking precautions, we can help to ensure a safe and joyful Christmas for our furry friends.”
