Christmas is a wonderful time of year – but not always for your pets!
Every year the GSPCA has reported incidents of pets putting their safety at risk.
Here are some tips from the GSPCA to keep your pets safe. Please keep them away from -
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate (highly toxic to pets)
- Coffee
- Mouldy or spoiled foods (please ensure all waste is disposed of and stored safely away from your pets)
- Salt
- Chicken or Turkey bones (as they can splinter)
- Avoid giving your pet any of your leftovers as this can cause diarrhoea. Also keep your pet away from cooked bones: they can easily splinter or get lodged in your pet’s throat and can cause serious damage by puncturing the intestinal tract.
We all love a real Christmas tree but fallen tree needles are very sharp and can easily get stuck in your pet’s paws or throat. Sweep tree needles up regularly or fence off your Christmas tree to separate your pet and tree.
Do not hang your chocolates from your Christmas tree: they are highly toxic and your pet will be tempted if he can see and smell them. Also those wrapped selection boxes for a dog are very tempting as even wrapped they can smell them inside.
Cover up electric wires and flashing tree lights so your pet can’t chew them and electrocute himself.
Try using fairy lights that don’t flash as some pets when up close can get very scared by these.
Christmas tree decorations can cause a nasty accident and even be fatal to your pet. Cats, and young pets especially, will show a great interest in decorations hanging from your tree. Try to use unbreakable decorations and nothing too small. Avoid tinsel or ribbons as these are dangerous to the gastrointestinal tract if your pet swallows them.
Christmas trees need to be well anchored so your pet can’t pull it over. Cats love to climb inside if given the chance and can cause a number of risks.
Holly, mistletoe, lilies and yew trees are poisonous to pets and must be kept well out of reach.
Remember loud noises will panic your pet, such as Christmas crackers, poppers, balloons, and champagne bottles. Pet Remedy, Adaptil and feliway products can help reduce stress in your dogs and cats, please speak to the GSPCA or your vet for more details.
Remove your Christmas wrapping paper (and toys) from the floor to avoid your pet chewing or swallowing it.
For your pet’s safety this Christmas always buy your pet’s presents from a reputable pet shop or veterinary clinic. The GSPCA Charity Shop or at the Shelter are ideal locations for advice and a lovely selection.
For peace of mind please check your local veterinary surgery’s opening hours over the Christmas period and have their phone number to hand just in case you need it.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Most pet related Christmas dangers are easily avoided and at the GSPCA we want all to fun and remember to be pet safe!”
“We do stop most rehoming over Christmas as we don’t want to promote pets being given as presents but in the right homes we do allow some of the animals in our care out in the right circumstances.”
“This Christmas you can help make a real difference helping animals in need and to become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor please click this link to download a form, collect one form the GSPCA or call 01481 257261 for us to post one out to you - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20Christmas%20special.pdf .”
“Without your support we couldn’t achieve so much, educate about animal welfare, rescue, rehabilitate, rehome and do so much more.”
“Please do see the many details of the way you can support our work at www.gspca.org.gg pop in or call 01481 257261.”
“At the GSPCA we want to wish all our supporters a very Merry Christmas.”
In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have been outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in line with their advice or have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus
The GSPCA continues with all essential services and we plane to phase other services back into operation and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-take-cautious-approach-returning-new-normal-%E2%80%93-gspca-plan-our-services-and-volunteers-retu
With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
During these difficult times help us help animals in need. From donating to Sponsoring a Pen, Buying a Brick for the much needed Wildlife Hospital to our Amazon and main page Wish List, holding a mufti day to a sponsored Christmas dip, here are some of the ways you could help give animals joy.
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