Written by
Australian Dog Lover
14:52:00
-
0
Comments
How to Keep Aussie Dogs Safe This Christmas Season
The Australian Christmas season is a magical time of celebration, good food, and time spent with loved ones—including our four-legged family members. But while the holidays feel joyous to us, they can bring a surprising number of risks for dogs.
From tempting fatty leftovers to glittering hazards and the unique challenge of summer heat, the festive environment is full of potential dangers. Many pet owners don't realise these could send their beloved companion to an emergency vet.
The good news is that most Christmas-related incidents are entirely preventable. By understanding the most common hazards and taking a few simple precautions, you can ensure your dog enjoys a happy, safe festive season alongside the rest of the family.
Festive Foods: The Hidden Dangers in Your Feast
Toxic Ingredients to Strictly Avoid
These foods contain ingredients that can lead to severe illness or be life-threatening:
❌ Grapes & Raisins: Found in Christmas pudding and fruit platters. These can cause severe kidney failure.
❌ Chocolate: Contains the stimulant theobromine, which is toxic.
❌ Xylitol (Birch Sugar): Found in many sugar-free treats and baked goods. This sweetener is highly toxic, causing rapid insulin release and life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
❌ Macadamia Nuts: Can cause weakness, vomiting, and tremors.
❌ Cooked Bones: They splinter easily, causing severe damage, intestinal blockages, or constipation requiring surgery.
Rich Foods That Cause Painful Illness
Many classic Christmas dishes are simply too rich or fatty for a dog's digestive system.
Rich ingredients like ham, turkey skin, gravy, sausages, cheese boards, and fatty meats can trigger pancreatitis—a painful and sometimes serious inflammation of the pancreas.
Even a small amount of rich or fatty food can cause problems in sensitive dogs.
Safe Alternatives for the Dinner Table
If you'd like your dog to feel included, offer safe, healthy alternatives:
✔️ Plain, unseasoned chicken or turkey (without skin or bones)
✔️ Carrot sticks
✔️ Apple slices (seeds removed)
✔️ Blueberries
✔️ High-quality dog treats
Friendly Reminder: Be vigilant and remind guests not to slip your dog snacks under the table, no matter how compelling those puppy-dog eyes can be.
Decorations & Plants: Chewing Hazards
Hazard Prevention Checklist
❌ Risk: If swallowed, these linear materials can cause severe intestinal blockages that usually require emergency surgery.
✔️ Action: Clean up wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows immediately. Place tinsel high up, or avoid it altogether.
2. Fragile Ornaments:
❌ Risk: Glass baubles can shatter into sharp pieces, causing cuts or internal injury if ingested.
✔️ Action: Use shatterproof decorations on lower branches. Place fragile, sentimental ornaments higher up.
3. Fairy Lights & Electrical Cords:
❌ Risk: Tempting to chew and can cause burns or electrocution.
✔️ Action: Tuck away electrical cords with covers or cable guards.
4. Toxic Holiday Plants:
❌ Risk: Lilies, mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias are all toxic if ingested.
✔️ Action: Place holiday plants strictly out of reach.
5. Christmas Tree Water:
❌ Risk: Can contain preservatives or fertilisers that may make dogs unwell.
✔️ Action: Securely cover or block access to the tree water stand.
Tree Safety Pro-Tip: Secure your Christmas tree to the wall or ceiling to prevent it from toppling, and consider a barrier or exercise pen around the base to deter enthusiastic explorers.
Gift Wrapping & Packaging Hazards
Post-Unwrapping Dangers
- Packaging Waste: This includes small items like silica gel packets (desiccants) found in new product packaging, which can cause gastrointestinal upset or blockages if swallowed.
- Wrapped Food Gifts: A determined dog can sniff out and tear open any gift containing food, chocolate, or scented items in seconds, leading to toxicity or overindulgence.
Action Steps
✅ Clean up paper and waste immediately as gifts are opened.
✅ Avoid leaving food-containing or scented gifts under the tree, especially overnight.
✅ Ensure all ribbons, bows, and string (which pose a linear obstruction risk) are cleared away instantly.
Managing the Australian Summer Heat
Dogs don’t sweat like humans and rely on panting to cool themselves, which becomes ineffective in extreme heat. Flat-faced breeds, older dogs, and overweight pets are especially vulnerable. You can read more about the signs and prevention of heatstroke in dogs here.
Essential Heat Safety Checks
1. Water & Shade: Always ensure your dog has unlimited access to shade and fresh, cool water.
2. Timing Walks: Avoid exercising or walking your dog during the hottest part of the day (usually 10 am–4 pm).
3. Hot Surfaces: Remember that footpaths, sand, and asphalt can get hot enough to seriously burn paws. Test the surface with the back of your hand; if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for their paws.
Watch for Signs of Heatstroke (Act Urgently!)
2. Timing Walks: Avoid exercising or walking your dog during the hottest part of the day (usually 10 am–4 pm).
3. Hot Surfaces: Remember that footpaths, sand, and asphalt can get hot enough to seriously burn paws. Test the surface with the back of your hand; if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for their paws.
Watch for Signs of Heatstroke (Act Urgently!)
If you suspect heatstroke, act urgently. Signs include:
- Excessive panting and drooling
- Bright red or pale gums
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Wobbliness, staggering, or collapse
Immediate Action: Begin cooling your dog immediately with cool (not icy) water or damp towels, and seek veterinary care urgently.
Prepare for Emergencies, Just in Case
Emergency Preparation Steps
✔️ Locate Emergency Vet: Research your nearest 24-hour emergency vet and save the number now.
✔️ Consider Telehealth: Given that recent studies show 1 in 6 Australian pet owners are skipping essential vet visits due to cost, using veterinary telehealth can be an affordable and stress-reducing first step.
For less urgent concerns, or when you’re unsure if a situation warrants an emergency visit, veterinary telehealth (like VetChat) can be invaluable.
Case Study: Ollie the Border Collie
Last Christmas, VetChat helped a distressed owner whose 31kg border collie, Ollie, had stolen approximately six chocolate M&Ms and a few Maltesers from under the tree.
Within minutes, a vet was able to reassure them that at Ollie's size, he ingested well under the toxic threshold. The owner was advised to simply monitor for any unusual symptoms and enjoy the rest of their Christmas, avoiding an expensive and stressful emergency vet visit on Christmas Day.
A little planning and awareness this Christmas can make all the difference, ensuring your dog enjoys a safe, happy holiday season alongside the whole family!
A little planning and awareness this Christmas can make all the difference, ensuring your dog enjoys a safe, happy holiday season alongside the whole family!
About VetChat
VetChat is Australia’s leading veterinary telehealth provider, offering fast, affordable online consultations with qualified vets. With a focus on accessibility and peace of mind, VetChat provides general advice and triage services that complement in-person vet care. Last year, VetChat delivered more than 63,000 consultations, with 90% of pet owners connecting to a vet in under two minutes, achieving a 95% satisfaction score. For more information, visit www.vetchat.com.au.
VetChat is Australia’s leading veterinary telehealth provider, offering fast, affordable online consultations with qualified vets. With a focus on accessibility and peace of mind, VetChat provides general advice and triage services that complement in-person vet care. Last year, VetChat delivered more than 63,000 consultations, with 90% of pet owners connecting to a vet in under two minutes, achieving a 95% satisfaction score. For more information, visit www.vetchat.com.au.
Connect with VetChat on Social Media:
- Facebook: @VetChat
- Instagram: @vetchataustralia
