Merry Christmas from all at the GSPCA and advice on how to keep your pets safe over the festive season
Submitted by GSPCA on 12:17, 24th Dec, 2012 |
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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 nee 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. 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 Pop up 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 so have fun and remember to be pet safe!’
‘At the GSPCA we want to wish all our supporters a very Merry Christmas.’
From all at the GSPCA we wish you and your pets a very Merry Christmas!
We are at the Pop Up Shop in Smith Street thanks to OSA Recruitment until 31st December. To find out the opening times please click here
Check out lots of other items that will be on sale by clicking on our facebook link
Also Christmas Gift Certificates are on sale at the GSPCA Animal Shelter as well as many other stocking fillers - for more details please click here
To make a donation to help animals in Guernsey please call the Shelter on 01481 257261 or please click here
This is a video of our longest stay cat Felix who needs your help to find a new and forever home.
There are many items on the GSPCA's Wish List and you can see many of them by clicking here including a list of Amazon items which would make a difference to animals in Guernsey this Christmas.
Sponsored Christmas Day Polar Bear Swim - Do you fancy joining our brave swimmers? click here for more details
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