Greencross Vets 
‘Tis the season where pets are intrigued by sparkling lights, swinging baubles and ribbon wrapped gifts. ‘Tis also the season of unusual decoration-related injuries in household pets.
Here are five simple tips to help keep pets safe this Christmas.
1. Christmas tree safety
If you have a cat who loves to climb, make sure your Christmas tree is safely secured to the ground or wall . Toppling trees are a source of injury (and destruction of your home). Clean up any tree needles that fall from the branches of live trees as they can puncture pets’ intestines if consumed. For fake synthetic trees, make sure you stabilise individual branch sections to avoid any accidents.
2. Christmas lights and power cords
Cords should be kept neat, tidy, and out of sight from pets. If your puppy or kitten is teething and chewing, be extra cautious with extension leads as they are soft and highly desirable chew objects.
3. Ornaments
It’s a good idea to inspect your ornaments for sharp objects such as pins and exposed hooks. Opt for plastic ornaments over glass ones to reduce the risk of breakages and injury.
4. Tinsel
Cats love to play with string, and tinsel is a highly enticing choice. Tinsel and ribbon can play havoc in the intestines if eaten. If your cat is particularly interested in string, ribbon, and tinsel, consider decorating your tree with something else. If you suspect your pet has swallowed a decoration, contact your vet immediately.
5. Garden decorations
Garden decorations can prove just as dangerous to pets as tree decorations. Try staking the wireframes of display items into the ground with ordinary tent stakes. This will make them difficult for your pet to pull out.
Avoid attracting their attention to the decorations. It’s tempting to get excited and show off shiny decorations to our pets, but avoid decorating the tree or house when they are present and don’t show them the objects, especially not playfully or excitedly. They may interpret this as an invitation to play with them.
Please contact your local Greencross Vets immediately if your pet ingests something they shouldn’t this festive season. If your regular vet is closed, our emergency vet partners are open 24/7 including public holidays.
