Submitted by GSPCA on 11:02, 18th Dec, 2013 | 0

Christmas is a wonderful time of year – but not always for your pets!

Every year the GSPCA has reported incidents of pets safety at risk.

Here are some tips from the GSPCA to keep your pets safe this festive season.

Please ensure that you keep these items away from your animals and pets -

  • 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 (especially dogs) will be tempted if they can see and smell them.  Also those wrapped selection boxes under the tree 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 themselves.

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.  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 surgery.  The GSPCA Pop up Shop or at the Shelter are ideal locations for advice and a lovely selection of gifts for your pet.

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.  To find links to all vets websites please click here.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said ‘Most pet related Christmas dangers are easily avoided so have fun and remember to be pet safe!’

'Over the festive season staff and volunteers will be working around the clock to ensure the 250 animals in our care at the Shelter and those sick and injured that need rescuing that we are there for them.'

‘At the GSPCA we want to wish all our supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank all that have supported us in 2013.’

From all at the GSPCA we all wish you and your pets a very Merry Christmas!

We are at the Pop Up Shop in Smith Street thanks to OSA Recruitment until 23rd December. To find out the opening times please click here

To see the GSPCA opening times over festive season please click here.

To see our new online shop please click here.

There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA and you can even donate online by clicking the paypal link below.

 

Donate with JustGiving and PayPal

Have you liked us on facebook yet or joined us on twitter?

Like GSPCA Guenrsey Animal Shelter on facebookFollow the GSPCA Animal Shelter in Guernsey on twitter

The following are events planned for 2013

 

Date

Event

For more details

Details to follow

Bric-A-Brac, Clothes, Coffee & Snacks at the Shelter

 

Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm

Pet Supplies & GSPCA Goods on sale at the GSPCA Reception

 

December Thursdays

Late Night Shopping GSPCA Stall in town

 

16th to 21st December 2013

Christmas Pop Up Shop on Smith Street thanks to OSA Recruitment

 

January 2014

Start of the Animal Care Course with WEA at the GSPCA

 

 

To find out about how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, Events, our Cattery Appeal and much more please click here.

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