Christmas Tips for a Pet Friendly Christmas

Dublingirl23

Chocolate and sweets, trees and garlands, Christmas represents the joy of giving, peace and love. Unfortunately for some, Christmas also represents emergency vet visits for obstructed bowels after the tinsel on the tree mysteriously disappears, chocolate poisoning from children leaving their treats out, and turkey bones from the rubbish that must be removed from an intestine.

We want your entire family and pets to have the safest, happiest Christmas season possible and may your festive season be full of cheer without trips to the Vet!!

The ISPCA strongly advises against the giving of pets as presents so please don't give Christmas puppies or kittens as a surprise gift. If you are determined on getting a pet for Christmas, and it is an agreed upon addition to the family, wait until the home is more quiet to bring the little one in. The ISPCA currently have so many animals looking for homes so why not consider adopting a dog, puppy, cat or kitten, hamster, rabbit, donkey or horses all are in need of loving homes rather than buying a pet. Please contact us on (043) 25035 if you can offer an animal a home or to sponsor an animal in our care.

We all know that Christmas can be a hectic time which can be too overwhelming for our pets and especially for a new friend! If you really need something under the tree, buy the lead, collar, a training book, but please don't surprise someone with a pet for Christmas. Did you know that over sixteen thousand healthy unwanted dogs were put to sleep in Irish Dog Pounds last year? So remember a pet should be for life not just for Christmas.

Poinsettias are deadly for cats. Tinsel and streamers are deadly for animals that will eat it (dogs and cats - it'll get tangled in their intestines). Chocolate is deadly and too much rich holiday food as "treats" will likely make for many days of nasty diarrhoea.

Don't forget to spend quality time with the fur-family - sometimes we get so caught up in the activities and family visits, we don't take time for long walks and play sessions with our 'best friends' - which are an excellent de-stressor.

Keep electrical cords away from curious puppies and kitties. One chomp is all it'll take. Decorate the lower branches with things that don't mind being broken, swallowed or pawed. Be cautious of piling Christmas presents under the tree and allowing unlimited access. If you have a chewer, coat new wires (like the ones for the Christmas tree lights) in bitter apple, or another chew deterrent.

If you're having guests over, try to leave a room available as a "quiet room" for the pets to escape to, especially if there are a lot of parties and boisterous children about playing.

Finally, anchor your Christmas tree to the ceiling or wall behind it to prevent your pet from knocking it when they decide the garland is fun to grab and run with. And remember to water the tree regularly, so that the dogs don't!

Would you like to help the ISPCA to help animals? There are so many ways you can help and we would love to hear from you. Please contact us on (043) 25035 or email fundraising@ispca.ie

Jimkel

To add to this, once again I must stress DONT BUY TURTLES as gifts!

jameshayes

Good post...

Hopfully people will listen

iguana

I'd suggest that if you are taking your pets with you to a relatives house that you make sure that their identity tags are very securely attached. Make sure to bring familiar toys and blankets and let the people who you are staying with be aware of your rules. Ie, if you don't feed your dogs from the table make sure your mother-in-law knows in advance.