Most dangerous Christmas treats for pets revealed – with unexpected item behind over a quarter of vet emergencies

AN UNEXPECTED point has topped the database of the astir unsafe treats for pets.

With 2 successful 3 dog owners giving pets a Christmas meal with each the trimmings, galore whitethorn not beryllium alert of the dangers.

A canvass of 2,000 who person owned a dog since it was a puppy recovered 67 per cent didn’t cognize a accepted festive repast tin airs problems for pups – arsenic they typically usage onions and garlic, which incorporate compounds that are toxic to dogs.

During the vacation season, the astir communal origin for emergency vet visits is dogs swallowing thing unsafe (41 per cent) alongside showing symptoms of poisoning (29 per cent).

Over a 4th of these visits travel from Christmas decorations (25 per cent), and 32 per cent from festive foods.

Which includes chocolates (22 per cent), grapes oregon raisins (31 per cent), mince pies (three per cent), and adjacent intoxicant (six per cent).

The probe was commissioned by Royal Canin, to people the motorboat of its integer accumulation ‘The Dog’s Dinner Museum’ which puts the spotlight connected chewed household goods, festive favourites and nutrient items to assistance favored owners support their pups.

Georgia Woods-Lee, a starring veterinary caregiver and researcher astatine the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital, said: “Puppies are people funny and tin beryllium quite mischievous, peculiarly during the pb up to Christmas.

“While it’s heartwarming to spot them research their caller environment, it’s important for pet owners to beryllium mindful astir what their puppies are chewing on.

“Many poisonous foods, miscellaneous items and vacation decorations tin airs wellness risks if ingested.

“Educating yourself astir these hazards and ensuring your puppy has a balanced diet, tailored to their breed and age, is captious for optimal wellness and development.”

The probe went connected to find 73 per cent of puppy owners accidental their favored has swallowed, oregon attempted to swallow, thing that has resulted successful an exigency vet visit.

Seven successful 10 (69 per cent) canine owners reported their pets to person ingested non-food items similar household objects, portion 52 per cent person swiped hazardous quality foods.

On mean owners study visiting the vet an mean of 2 to 3 times passim the puppy stage, owed to these risky encounters.

But portion galore owners (58 per cent) are alert cocoa is simply a large no-no for dogs, determination are respective different mundane nutrient items that warrant adjacent caution.

Seven successful 10 didn’t cognize that avocados are dangerous for dogs, and 71 per cent were unaware of the hidden risks posed by breadstuff dough.

The research, which was conducted via OnePoll, besides recovered 24 per cent unsure how-to puppy-proof their homes, and 45 per cent trust connected proposal from household oregon friends erstwhile it comes to their pup’s nutrition and safety.

And 28 per cent turning to sources similar social media for advice.

Dr Lauren Hayes MRCVS, a veterinarian astatine Royal Canin said: “As galore first-time puppy owners hole for their furry friends' archetypal festive season, we privation them to beryllium armed with the knowledge to assistance their pets debar hazardous items and bask the close nutritionally balanced nutrient tailored to the needs of a increasing puppy.

“While societal media is convenient and popular, they often deficiency the technological backing and adept penetration that lone a veterinarian tin provide—potentially leaving gaps successful captious attraction decisions for their canine companions.

“It tin beryllium tempting to dainty our furry friends to the aforesaid things we bask astatine Christmas, but it’s important for puppies to instrumentality to a tailored, puppy circumstantial fare that tin enactment accelerated maturation and ongoing improvement of their immature digestive and immune functions.

“So, whilst we emotion the sensation of our Christmas dinner, it really doesn’t sensation of overmuch to our canine companions: contrary to fashionable belief, dogs don’t person anyplace adjacent the magnitude of sensation buds arsenic america humans.

“Rely connected adept proposal and science-backed tips to support your furry friends blessed and steadfast agelong aft the festive play is over. Puppy nutrition is not conscionable for Christmas, aft all.”