With Christmas decorations, carols, the smell of pine and gluhwein, the anticipation for Christmas grows. But how does this time also become a happy time for pets? Here are some tips for an animal-friendly Christmas:
While Mum and Dad enjoy sipping mulled wine at Christmas markets and meandering from stall to stall, noise and people pushing each other are a nuisance to dogs. Even shopping in the rush of Christmas time is a stressful tour for dogs. Animal lovers should therefore leave their four-legged friends at home and treat them to a long winter walk afterwards.
Zipping wrapping paper, candles and the Christmas tree awaken the play instinct in dogs and cats. The Christmas tree must therefore be so sturdy that climbing cats or frolicking four-legged friends cannot tip it over. The animals can easily injure themselves from broken glass spheres. In addition, pet owners should avoid tinsel as it contains lead and ingested tinsel can cause intestinal obstruction.
The animals are also magically attracted to plastic wrap and gift ribbons. But they should not be left lying around unattended for long:adhesive tape in the mouth can wrap around the tongue or, if swallowed, also lead to an intestinal obstruction.
When romping around real candles, pet owners should also be careful or else wagging dog tails and cat paws will burn. It is best never to leave your animals, including free-roaming small mammals or free-flying ornamental birds, alone with an open fire in the room. Pets should also not nibble on mistletoe or poinsettias, as this can cause vomiting and diarrhea. If the animals lick certain scented oils or snow spray for windows, they can poison themselves. Scented candles and incense are problematic for the sensitive airways of pet birds, as the inhaled substances can cause irritation.
At Christmas there is of course a wonderful scent in the house. But leftovers from the party menu like fatty and salty roasts are unhealthy for pets. Even supposed dog treats, such as leftover poultry bones, should not be given:they split easily and can damage the stomach and intestines. Herringbone is also life-threatening. However, dogs and cats are allowed to nibble on unseasoned ground beef or yogurt.
When it comes to chocolate, never allow pleading dog eyes to soften you:the theobromine it contains initially causes diarrhea and vomiting in four-legged friends and is lethal even in small doses. Instead of a chocolate advent calendar, animal lovers prefer to offer their animal friends an animal-friendly advent calendar, for example with dog chocolate or healthy and functional treats from pet stores.
If you want to give something to your animal or another pet owner, you will find a wide range of pet supplies in stores that will get the animals moving or do good. Intelligence toys, for example, stimulate the brains of dogs and cats. Activity toys for rodents and quadrupeds should be made of a suitable material; natural materials, plastics and combinations thereof, such as rubber, latex or cotton, are harmless. Avoid toys that can shatter or be swallowed when chewed.
Some people also take the opportunity to equip their pet with a new bed, playhouse or protective clothing. For the winter, for example, there are special dog shoes that prevent the sensitive paws from being injured by ice and grit and the wounds do not come into contact with road salt, which can lead to pain.
