December is the month of celebrations, family gatherings, and big meals… but for those of us who share our homes with pets, it also means keeping a very close eye on the table to make sure nothing “mysteriously disappears.” It’s the perfect time to remember that some things that are delicious and harmless for us can be dangerous for them.

Let’s start with decorations.
The poinsettia is a beautiful and festive plant, but it’s extremely toxic for cats. If you have a feline friend at home, it’s safer to choose other options. Here are a few non-Christmas plants that still look great and even help purify the air: the spider plant, the Boston fern, and the ribbon plant (also called the love plant).
Next, a food that is wonderfully tasty for us (especially with a cheese board) but highly toxic for pets: grapes, and even worse, raisins. If your dog or cat eats even one raisin, go to your vet immediately. We can help remove it before their body starts to metabolise it and cause serious damage.

Now on to dessert. For us, chocolate is only a problem in excess, but for pets it can trigger severe gastrointestinal issues. No one wants to spend Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day cleaning up vomiting or diarrhoea. If you want to share a treat with your pet, peanut butter is a much safer option.

And finally, be careful with coffee and spirits. They’re common during the festivities but absolutely not suitable for animals. If you’d like to include them in the celebration, you can “cheers” with a little unsalted chicken broth or vegetable broth instead!

With these tips, Village Vets Lusk wishes you a happy and safe holiday season. If you have any doubts or emergencies, don’t hesitate to call us!