Why your dog shouldn't have everything on his Christmas wish list...

I'm really excited about Christmas as there's loads of amazing things going on, different visitors to our house and best of all......presents.

I could put lots on my letter to Santa...... smelly cat poo, fox poo perfume, chocolate, left over scraps found in the street...... but my mum says that many of these things are dangerous for me.

She also says that me and my best friend Kia (the cat) shouldn't have:

Turkey, Chicken and Other Meat Bones

Of all the gifts your dog could get this year, leftover turkey and chicken bones seem like they would be pretty high on his wish list. But no amount of begging is worth the risk of giving him a meat bone. Any bones, including turkey, chicken, pork and fish bones — whether they’re raw or cooked — can shatter or splinter in your dog’s intestinal tract or cause intestinal blockage (or worse). Plus, bones and bone fragments can be choking hazards.

Dangerous Toys

If a toy is specifically made for pets, it must be safe, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Cat owners shouldn’t give their kitties toys that have string, ribbon or yarn, since these can get stuck in the intestines if accidentally swallowed. And before giving your cat a toy mouse, make sure any glued-on eyes or noses are removed. Dog owners should think twice about giving their pups balls that are too small, toys with string or ribbon, or toys stuffed with beads or beans. It’s better to be safe than sorry: If a toy seems like it could be dangerous, keep it away from your pet.

Your Rich or Fatty Leftovers

After a big Christmas meal, you may feel like your pup deserves to indulge a little, too. Before you feed him your leftovers, consider this: Too much rich Christmas fare could lead to pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening disease often characterised by vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. If that’s not bad enough, some of the items on your plate could contain toxic ingredients like garlic, onions and raisins. If you must give your pet a taste of your dinner, make sure the portion is small and doesn’t contain any toxic or rich ingredients.

Tinsel, Garland and Other Holiday Decor

It’s shiny, it’s crinkly and your cat probably loves to play with it, but tinsel isn’t safe to give your pet. If your kitty accidentally swallows this popular holiday decoration, it could harm his intestines and require surgery for removal. The same goes for garland and other long, stringy holiday decor. Keep it out of reach of your pet.

Chocolate

Chocolate can be very poisonous for pets. Chocolate contains two toxic ingredients: caffeine and theobromine. In general, the more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for your animal. Signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, panting and seizures.

Holiday Outfits That Don’t Fit

Santa hats and reindeer ears are certainly adorable on pets, but you should make sure the outfit isn’t too big or too small. It also shouldn’t have any loose bells, strings or other potentially harmful items. And you should make sure your pet doesn’t mind wearing clothes — pawing at or shaking off the outfit is a sign your pet isn’t a fan.

Sugar-Free Baked Goods or Candy

One of the best things about the holidays is when a neighbour drops off a plate of delicious sweets and baked goods. You may be tempted to share a bite of your sugar snowman cookie with your pet, but there’s a chance it could contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that’s toxic to dogs and possibly cats, too.

#Christmas #Poo #Presents