Kidderminster vets urge caution over Christmas novelties

Experts at the new £1.5million Maggie and Marlow practice, recently opened at Prospect House in Lion Square, have warned that the continuing trend of forcing animals to wear fancy Christmas clothes could have adverse effects on the health and well-being of pets.

The team’s research highlighted that last year, online searches for “dog jumpers for dogs” in the UK were close to an all-time high of 29,000 in December alone, this which led Rhiannon Cartwright, head of the practice, to urge pet owners to think twice before taking the plunge. orient yourself.

Rhiannon, who is also a registered veterinary nurse, said while she wanted pet owners and their pets to enjoy the festivities, she would advise against the use of sweaters, outfits or accessories on dogs.

She said: “Fabrics can be flammable, restrictive and noisy and therefore stressful for dogs. They can also cause overheating, especially in dogs with thick fur.

“If your dog is not used to wearing a coat, a sweater may also be uncomfortable for him. The main warning signs that a dog is uncomfortable in a sweater or Christmas item include panting, reluctance to move and pacing.

“If you notice any of these signs, remove your clothes immediately.

“Pet owners should also avoid anything that could potentially be chewed, such as reindeer antlers, bells or decorations – swallowing any of these items could lead to an emergency trip to the vet. »

As well as urging pet owners to avoid dressing their pets in fancy items, Rhiannon also highlighted the detrimental effect another holiday favorite can have on dogs, with chocolate being the main cause a Christmas visit to the vet.

In fact, Rhiannon added that Google searches for the phrase “dog ate chocolate” more than double in December compared to other months.

She said: “Christmas is an exciting time for pets as they are surrounded by new smells, sights and sounds. This can be a difficult time for pet owners, however, as many items we consider festive treats can potentially be dangerous for our pets.

“Chocolate is toxic to dogs and should not be consumed in quantities as it contains a chemical called theobromine which is toxic to dogs.

“The type and amount of chocolate, as well as your pet’s weight, will impact its level of toxicity once consumed.”

Rhiannon said gastric changes are the typical telltale signs of a dog consuming chocolate, adding: “Vomiting and/or diarrhea are the most common symptoms indicating your pet has digested chocolate, they may also suffer tremors and/or convulsions.

“This may be associated with a change in behavior, as dogs can become hyper excited or really annoying, depending on their size and the amount or type of chocolate consumed.

“These factors also impact the time it takes for symptoms to appear, but you can expect to see signs between four and 24 hours after ingestion.”

Rhiannon said having packaging on hand and being able to share information such as the type of chocolate, how long ago it was eaten and the weight of your pet and the confectionery consumed, will help vets to accurately assess animals.

The dangers of Christmas are not limited to clothes and chocolates, with Rhiannon urging pet owners to keep treats such as mince pies, Christmas cakes and Christmas pudding away from curious paws, as grapes Dried nuts and raisins are both toxic to dogs.

Try to stick to your pet’s usual diet during the holiday season. You should not give your dog the following foods: