For a fond and dignified farewell
How To Make Sure Your Pets Enjoy Christmas
5th December 2007
Once again it’s time to consider how your pet will cope over Christmas. Many companion animals are ignored or neglected at this time of year because of other attractions – such as presents and parties. But with a little care, your furry or feathered friends can enjoy the festive season as much as you do.
“Nothing could be worse than to lose a beloved pet unnecessarily because of lack of thought or a momentary lapse of attention,“ said Duncan Francis, director of leading pet crematorium CPC. “Pets should feel loved and have fun with their owners and it is important that this continues over Christmas.”
As an owner of two dogs, Kirsty and Honey, Duncan has put together a list of tips that will help you to ensure that your pet has fun and isn’t forgotten over the busy Christmas period:
1. If you are going away, make sure that your dog can go too and is genuinely welcome, or that kennels, catteries or a live-in carer have been booked. If it is not possible to find suitable care late in the day, your plans should be revisited
2. Make sure that old or ailing dogs and cats are not over-excited or stressed. New puppies and kittens and other young animals should not be acquired before the New Year. There really is no option
3. Although Christmas day is very busy in my household, the whole family takes the dogs for a long walk in the afternoon. It’s a great way to burn off some of those extra calories
4. It’s important to remember that our pets like routine and should be fed at normal meal times. While it can be temping to feed some pets – such as dogs – leftovers, remember that they must not be allowed rich foods or potentially harmful poultry bones
5. Possible dangers include chocolate (except for products made especially for animals) and poisonous mistletoe and holly berries. Small parts from children’s toys and Christmas crackers and decorations, which are easily swallowed, may cause problems in the gastrointestinal tract
6. Cats are often attracted to reflective and dangling items. Always make sure that cats cannot knock glass baubles off the Christmas tree, which could break and cut their paws
7. The unwrapping of presents can also present a real danger to cats and kittens. While we may enjoy watching our cats dive in and out the wrapping paper on the floor, cats can become entangled in string and sticky tape
8. My pets have animal-friendly stockings with suitable treats and toys. However, they can often be frightened by loud noises, such as Christmas crackers, flashing lights on toys and fast movements, so it’s important to ensure that they are not teased by toys, excited children or guests who are unaccustomed to living with pets
9. I also make sure that a warm and quiet room is available to which my dogs can escape and where a bowl of fresh water is available.
“I fully support campaigns to discourage the giving of pets as Christmas presents,” Duncan continued. “Young animals, separated from their mothers for the first time, can be very bewildered in the excitement and get off to a poor start. As we know, some find themselves homeless within weeks and not all survive.”
“A fluffy new kitten or puppy may be something that the children have been yearning for, but with all the other presents that they receive at Christmas there is a real risk that the pet will be forgotten along with the expensive new toys and the Christmas stocking,” added Emma Harvey, CPC marketing manager. “It is a much better idea to introduce pets, especially young ones, to a family when things are calm and stable, at a time when that pet can be given the family’s undivided attention.”
