Monitor — routine vet appointment
Christmas hazards for dogs and cats
Christmas brings chocolate, raisins, cooked bones, lilies, tinsel, salt-dough decorations and electrical hazards into the house — secure each, and save Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) in your phone.
Recognise the signs
- Specific to each toxin — see relevant entries
- General signs: vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, off food
First aid steps
- Phone Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) or vet for any known ingestion.
- Bring packaging.
- Note time and amount.
Do NOT
- Do not feed leftovers.
- Do not assume small amounts are safe (especially raisins, xylitol, chocolate).
- Do not leave bones unattended.
When to phone the vet immediately
- See specific entries for chocolate, raisins, lilies, bones, etc.
Common causes
- Chocolate (selection boxes, advent calendars)
- Mince pies, Christmas pudding, panettone (raisins/sultanas/currants)
- Cooked turkey/chicken bones
- Lilies and other toxic plants
- Tinsel, ribbon, string (cats especially)
- Christmas tree water (preservatives)
- Electrical cables for tree lights
- Salt-dough decorations (toxic)
- Antifreeze and grit underfoot
- Excess rich food causing pancreatitis
What the vet will need to know
- Specific item ingested
- Amount and time
- Pet's weight
Aftercare
- Per specific toxin or hazard.
Prevention
- Brief all guests on rules — no scraps, no leftover bones.
- Bin discipline: outdoor bins, locked lids.
- No lilies in cat households.
- Cable tidies for tree lights.
- Tinsel out of cat reach.
- Store all chocolate, mince pies, cake out of reach.
- Carry Animal PoisonLine number.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Christmas the busiest time for vet emergencies?
More toxins, more rich food, more visitors not briefed, more decorations, and longer hours of unsupervised access while owners are busy.
Can my dog have any Christmas dinner?
Plain skinless turkey breast in small amounts is usually fine. Avoid skin, gravy, stuffing (onion/sage), bones, and rich sides.
Is the tree water dangerous?
Often contains preservatives that cause vomiting. Cover the base or block access.