With the festive season almost in full swing, Christmas decorations are beginning to pop up all around the country to add a little cheer and merriment in the run up to the big day.
However, although decorations can be beautiful to look at, one expert has warned that some may be deadly to pets.
Pooch & Mutt’s in-house veterinary surgeon, Dr Linda Simon, has shared a few warnings around some decorations that could result in vet trips or could even be fatal.
Here is a full list of what to watch out for.
The Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is potentially the most important decoration of all. For many, a fake tree is just not an option, and thankfully most live trees used at Christmas, such as fir, pine, and spruce, are non-toxic to dogs.
However, non-toxic, real trees are not without their risks. Falling needles are the biggest issue, as they can get stuck in paws, irritate your pet's mouth and also cause tummy upset if eaten in large quantities.
If you water your tree with fertiliser or plant food, there’s also the risk of your pooch drinking toxic water from the plant pot or plate that could make them ill or, in the worst case, could be fatal.
If you’re not confident that you can train your dog to stay away from these tree-posed hazards, then it might be best to opt for a fake tree, and if that still isn’t an option, then invest in a tree barricade to keep your dog away.
Glass baubles
Although not always the most desirable, opting for plastic baubles might be the best option if there are wagging tails and curious mouths about.
Fine glass baubles pose a pretty serious risk if they were to smash from either falling or an overzealous pooch exploring with their mouth.
Ingesting any broken pieces could be painful and dangerous for a number of reasons. Cuts in the mouth or on the paws are the minor result, with throat and internal lacerations being the worst-case scenario.
Natural garlands
Often draped over a fireplace, natural garlands are also a popular festive decoration. If hanging too low, garlands could be quite tempting to pull or gnaw on for a curious pooch.
Whilst most don’t pose too much of a risk, avoid hanging garlands made from holly or mistletoe as these are toxic if ingested by dogs, and could be fatal if consumed in large amounts.
Fake snow
A lot of artificial trees come with a scenic dusting of fake snow - this isn’t so pleasant, however, if it finds its way into your dog’s stomach.
Though the ingredients in fake snow vary, some can be toxic to dogs - so to be safe, avoid ‘snow-covered’ artificial trees and stick to ones with bare branches.
Edible decorations
Chocolate baubles are a Christmas novelty for children but be warned, your four-legged friends might also want a look in.
Widely known, chocolate is toxic to dogs, so it is important that you ensure your dog doesn’t get their paws on them.
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