It may have been the most wonderful time of the year for many families but Christmas could have posed some serious dangers to pets in Malta.

Food proved to be the biggest danger for pets over the festive period, with vets reporting an increasing number of cases related to poisoning from consuming chocolate, mince pies and even alcohol.

According to veterinary surgeon Alex Schirò, Christmas is one of the busiest times for emergencies such as accidental poisonings.

“This situation is a problem during each festive or holiday period,” Schirò claims.

“Even a simple long weekend usually generates a lot of gastrointestinal issues. The main problems I had were cases where dogs ended up suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting.”

Veterinary surgeon Alex Schirò

Every year, vet practices are called to help pets that have fallen sick as a result of one of the numerous hazards Christmas brings.

From mince pies or Christmas pudding, the delicious trappings of the festive period represent many potential perils for pets. Both mince pies and pudding, for instance, include raisins, which are poisonous to dogs. Last Christmas, a puppy was admitted with a very low body temperature due to chocolate intoxication.

“The puppy spent three days on a drip and it took a lot of injections to get it walking again. But at least, we saved the puppy,” Schirò says.

Another dog ate a whole turkey before guests arrived for lunch and was admitted with acute indigestion and bloating.

“We also had an exceptional case where a dog ate a block of cannabis resin and was in total shock.”

A dog ate a whole turkey before guests arrived for lunch and was admitted with acute indigestion and bloating

Decorations can also be dangerous.

“I had to operate on an old dog to remove about half a metre of wrapping paper from his intestines and stomach,” the surgeon adds.

Although the tree, lighting and decorations are an attraction for mischievous pets, food remains the biggest threat.

Despite ongoing campaigns on safeguarding pets during the festivities, veterinarians’ caseload and inquiries remain very high during the holidays.

“Christmas can be an extremely busy time for pet owners. However, it is very stressful for pets too.”

Like any other time of the year, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers for your pet and take appropriate steps to ensure their well-being, comfort and safety.

“There were many more pets with similar problems, mainly due to owner inconsideration. Other owners thought their pets should celebrate as well, not knowing how dangerous and detrimental this might be to their pets’ health,” Schirò points out.

Party animals

If you have guests over for dinner or you’re planning a birthday party, make sure your pets are safe.

When you have guests over, don’t assume that your pet will be friendly with all of them. Cats scratch and dogs bite – and you don’t want your guests to suffer such a rough welcome.

If you have invited many guests to your party, then it’s best if your pet has its own space to retreat to. Otherwise, it might get stressed out or, worse, get stepped on or bumped into.

Decorations such as tinsel can be harmful to a pet. If swallowed, they can cause nausea, vomiting or, worse, possible surgery. Also, poppers can be too loud and will terrify pets, especially those with sensitive ears.

Don’t leave candles unattended. A cat or a dog might burn themselves or knock them over, causing a fire.

Keep wires, batteries, plastic and glass out of your pet’s reach.

You might have a sweet tooth but your pet probably doesn’t. Don’t feed your pet any sugary treats or chocolate. Also, don’t just throw all the leftover food in one bowl and feed it to your furry friend – small bones, for instance, can be lethal.