Festive fears for our pets' first Christmas

The Christmas season brings many potential pet hazards into our homes

- DR DAVID GRANT

At Christmas do you have any general advice on pet hazards, and how best to avoid them? We have a young crossbreed dog and a nine-month-old kitten. This will be their first Christmas.

There are potentially many hazards. Rather than provide an impossible to remember long list, I'll break it down to four main areas. These are food problems, physical dangers, poisons and stress, with common sense advice on prevention.

Food problems range from simple tummy upsets, which are very common, mainly caused by overfeeding unusual food, to poisoning. Some potential poisons include chocolate, grapes, mince pies, artificial sweeteners and nuts.

Pets do not need, or tolerate, a change of diet at Christmas. To avoid gastrointestinal signs simply stick to their normal diet and keep them out of the kitchen or dining room at meal times. It's best if the whole family sign up to this, especially children.