Pet care at Christmas Part 3: Final top tips

Not all pets like having visitors to their home and not all your visitors will welcome the attention of your pets either! Here are a few golden rules to keep everyone happy over the festive season:

Make sure pets have somewhere safe to retreat away from noise and people so they can choose to separate themselves if they want to. Cats like high secluded places, so a comfy cushion on a high cupboard is a good place. Dogs like their favourite bed in a quiet area, with their special toys and something like a Kong filled with their favourite treats to keep them busy.

Older animals can be upset by a change of routine. If this is the case, they may be happier in a quiet room, on their own and away from noise and strangers. Make them a cosy retreat where they can choose to go if they feel unsettled. Ensure visitors do not disturb them so the animal can relax in peace. Sometimes a radio on quietly can soothe your pet, especially if there are fireworks outside.

If you have children visiting and your pet is not used to them do not leave them together unattended and ensure children know how to behave appropriately and considerately around animals.

Sometimes younger animals can get over excited at Christmas (as pictured above!) - all the new sounds and smells, together with your enthusiasm can sometimes be very exciting to even the most placid dog! Make sure they have somewhere tranquil to go to calm down. Give them a few nice treats and kindly and quietly pop them in a separate area where they can settle before joining in the festivities again. This is not a punishment, simply a ‘time out’ to allow everyone to relax!

Above all, have a wonderful, safe festive season and even though Grove Lodge is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year, in the nicest possible way we hope we don’t see you!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Safety tips for Christmas – Part 2: Decorations

We love our pretty, festive decorations but beware – they can be hazardous to our pets.

Cats and dogs may try to climb Christmas trees and consequently pull them over on themselves. Keep a close eye on your pet when the tree is first put up and try to secure the tree so it cannot topple over.

Pets can eat small decorations and tinsel so be careful especially with young animals. Tinsel is especially dangerous to cats. Baubles can smash and cause injury.

Electric wires for tree lights and decorations can be chewed, causing injury or death to pets. Insulate wires and be attentive to what your pets are up to.

Hamster, rat and gerbil cages should be kept well away from decorations - small furries will try to chew and pull anything through the bars whether it is harmful or not!

Pine needles from your Christmas tree drop onto the floor and can dig into pets’ paws. Remember to clear up around your tree regularly to prevent sore paws.

Mistletoe is poisonous to pets. Ensure it is well out of their reach and any fallen berries removed immediately.

Safety tips for Christmas – Part 1: Christmas dinner and goodies!

Even though we overindulge at Christmas, we must be vigilant and not over feed our pets with treats and goodies! Not only can weight gain be a serious health risk to pets, indulging him or her with too many treats can cause vomiting or diarrhoea. Even though Grove Lodge is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and we would be happy to see you, we are sure you don’t want to have to visit us on Christmas Day if you can avoid it! We have listed just a few points below to be aware of, especially at this festive time and in fact all year round:

Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and cats (especially dark/plain chocolate). Just 86g of cocoa powder could be fatal to a Labrador.

Cooked bones are very dangerous. Dispose of the turkey carcass carefully. Do not put it out for the birds as the local cats will find it! Keep bones in a cold oven for safe disposal the next day.

Strings from roast meat can cause internal inuries. Ensure these are wrapped up and thrown away immediately where your dog cannot retrieve it.

Beware bin raiders! Some dogs are experts at finding tasty morsels in bins, both inside and out.