Go.Compare reveals the pet hazards to avoid for a simply paw-some Christmas
Keep your furry friends safe this festive season by knowing the hidden dangers lurking around the home
Christmas may be a time to eat, drink and be merry – but the pet insurance experts at Go.Compare have warned that festive foods, Christmas plants and other household items can be a doggie disaster that could leave your pets seriously ill.
Go.Compare’s Ceri McMillan says it’s important to be aware of potential hidden hazards to ensure pets stay safe this holiday season – and taking the simple steps to know what is and isn’t safe around the house for Santa’s little yelpers could prevent a Christmas catastrophe.
Previous research from Go.Compare found that, while many pet owners do know about the dangers of chocolate and dried fruits, many were unaware of the potential risks of scented candles, mistletoes, holly and even the classic Christmas tree.
Ceri said: “The festive period is the ultimate time to relax, unwind and enjoy the company of those we love, including our beloved furry family friends too. However, while we all love our Christmas traditions, there are many types of food, plants and even decorations that are very dangerous for animals.
“It’s important not to get carried away with sharing the love this Christmas by allowing dogs to have an extra treat. Lots of people know chocolate is toxic to dogs, but so are mince pies and Christmas pudding – so don’t be tempted to share any of these sweet treats, regardless of how adorable those puppy dog eyes are. Christmas pudding and mince pies contain grapes and dried fruits, like currants, sultanas and raisins, which can cause severe kidney failure if eaten.
“And while it might seem OK to share your turkey with your furry companion, avoid meat that’s covered in salt, fat and gravy, as this could cause an upset stomach. Also, avoid sharing any cooked turkey bones, too, as these will be brittle and could cause injury if eaten,” Ceri added.
“You also need to take great care with plants like mistletoe, holly, ivy and poinsettias. While they might look lovely around the house, they can be extremely toxic for animals. Similarly, decorations can cause hazards too. Pets could be very tempted to play with the colourful tinsel on the tree or the pretty ribbons on the gifts, but if swallowed, these could cause intestinal problems.
“Additionally, if you’re lighting any scented candles, check these are pet safe. Candles made with paraffin wax or synthetic oils can let off chemicals that are toxic to dogs – and even some essential oils can be harmful when ingested – so choose your home décor carefully.
“Of course, another essential – whatever the time of year – is making sure you have the right protections in place with a pet insurance policy. So, take a look at the options available and choose a policy to suit you and your pets’ needs.”
Learn more about pet safety at Christmas: https://www.gocompare.com/pet-insurance/safety-at-christmas/
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Contact Information
Rubie Barker
Notes to editors
For further information please contact:
Lynsey Walden on lynsey.walden@gocompare.com, or Kath Chadwick on Kathryn.chadwick@gocompare.com.
Notes to editors
About Go.Compare
Go.Compare is a comparison website that enables people to compare the costs and features of a wide variety of insurance policies, financial products and energy tariffs.
It does not charge people to use its services and does not accept advertising or sponsored listings, so all product comparisons are unbiased. Go.Compare makes its money through fees paid by the providers of products that appear on its various comparison services when a customer buys through the site.
When it launched in 2006, it was the first comparison site to focus on displaying policy details rather than just listing prices, with the aim of helping people to make better-informed decisions when buying their insurance. It is this approach to comparing products that secured the company an invitation to join the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) in 2008, and it is still the only comparison site to be a member of this organisation.
Go.Compare has remained dedicated to helping people choose the most appropriate products rather than just the cheapest and works with Defaqto, the independent financial researcher, to integrate additional policy information into a number of its insurance comparison services. This allows people to compare up to an extra 30 features of cover.
Go.Compare is part of Future Plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
More information can be found here www.gocompare.com or here https://www.futureplc.com/brands/.