Image

Ads help us keep this site online

Chart toppers and tips for a pawfect Christmas

12th December 2019
Posted by Aston Avery

The decorations are up, presents are being bought and the Christmas songs are playing. But it’s not only us humans who love this special time of year. We love getting our pets involved too. New research from national pet charity Blue Cross reveals almost a quarter (24%) of pet owners and their pet listen to a favourite Christmas song together, with Wham’s Last Christmas, All I Want for Christmas Is You and Rocking Around the Christmas Tree topping the charts.

What’s more, 63% of pet owners make their furry friends feel a part of the family by settling down for Christmas lunch/dinner with their pet with 21% cooking up a special dinner for their cat or dog on the big day. But as anyone who’s ever “done” Christmas knows, the run up to the 25th – and on the big day itself – are hectic. It’s when things get busy that pets are likely to take advantage, helping themselves to leftover food and drink with consequences that could involve an emergency trip to the vet.

57% of pets have eaten or drunk something they shouldn’t over Christmas.  Worryingly, 10% of pets have even drunk alcohol and 30% of pet owners said their pets had eaten chocolates that had been left lying around the house during the festive period. For dogs, eating a small amount of chocolate can cause vomiting and an upset stomach. A large amount can give them seizures or heart problems.

Aston spoke to Roisin Bolger, Blue Cross vet to give tips and advice on how you can safely involve your four-legged friend in your celebrations this Christmas.