Keep your dog safe this winter by avoiding these hazards
It’s a little-known fact that Christmas is a more dangerous time for our pets. Their usual home environment is filled with trees, unusual flowers and other decorations and cupboards are jam-packed with lots of tempting but potentially toxic food and drink.
Here at Vets Now, emergency call volumes increase over the festive season, and it’s often a result of dogs swallowing or chewing some of these unfamiliar things. Our handy infographic below gives you the lowdown on what to keep out of your dog’s reach this Christmas – and some interesting statistics that show why.
Click on the image below to read. From here you can also download a printable PDF or embed the infographic on your blog or website.
Accessible text version of Winter Hazards for Dogs infographic
Winter Hazards for Dogs
Winter Safety for Dogs
❄ Out and About
- Darker nights: Reduce visibility. Use reflective leads, collars, and high-visibility vests to stay safe.
- Ice, snow & grit: Can lodge in toes or cause frostbite. Salt and de-icers can irritate paws or worsen cuts.
- Freezing temperatures: Short-coated or older dogs are more at risk of hypothermia.
- Antifreeze: Ethylene glycol is deadly if ingested. Even tiny amounts can cause fatal kidney failure.
🎄 Festive Decorations
- Christmas trees: Pine needles may irritate mouths or puncture intestines if swallowed.
- Glass baubles: Can shatter and cut paws or mouths, or cause internal injury if swallowed.
- Tinsel: Can cause intestinal blockages and may require surgery if ingested.
- Fairy lights: Chewed wires may cause electric shocks or burns.
- Salt dough ornaments: Contain toxic levels of salt. Ingestion can lead to vomiting, seizures, or worse.
🍫 Food and Drinks
- Chocolate: Contains theobromine — toxic to dogs and can affect the heart and nervous system.
- Christmas pudding & mince pies: Contain raisins, sultanas, or grapes — all toxic to dogs.
- Macadamia nuts: May cause tremors, weakness, vomiting, or fever.
- Onions: Can damage red blood cells and lead to anaemia.
- Alcohol: Much more toxic to dogs than humans — even small amounts can be fatal.
- Artificial sweeteners: Especially xylitol — can cause fatal low blood sugar or liver damage.
- Blue cheese: Contains roquefortine C — dogs are particularly sensitive to it.
- Cooked bones: Can splinter and puncture or block the digestive system.
🎁 Presents and Gift Wrap
- Toys: Small or loose parts can be chewed and swallowed, causing choking or blockages.
- Batteries: Can cause internal burns or poisoning if ingested.
- Wrapping paper: Low toxicity, but large amounts may still block digestion.
- Silica gel packets: May cause intestinal blockage if swallowed.
Read and download our winter infographics