Keeping Pets Out of Trouble This Holiday Season in North London

'Tis the season to be jolly... not stressed out due to a midnight dash to our emergency service in Highgate!

Every year at Highgate Veterinary Clinic we see a spike in emergency vet visits over the holiday season as pets encounter dangers that can be prevented wth a few extra safeguards in place. 

Avoidable pet emergencies at Christmas - what owners need to know

It's all too common...Christmas Eve and the dog's eaten the chocolate yule log - time to call the emergency vet!

We want to help you avoid these dangers, so here are the three most common yet avoidable causes of emergency admissions that we see at Highgate Veterinary Clinic every year.

Accidental poisoning

Curious pets explore with their mouths. Sadly, many common festive items can be harmful. Highgate Veterinary Clinic's team advise that pet owners should keep harmful items out of reach:

• Human food & drink: Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, macadamia nuts, and alcohol (to name a few) are all toxic for pets.
• Medications: Keep all tablets and liquids locked away.
• Household chemicals: Wipe up spills of cleaning products or antifreeze straight away.
• Poisonous plants: Lilies, poinsettias, mistletoe and holly berries are festive but toxic.

Ingestion

At Christmas, it's common to see pets who have swallowed things they shouldn't. Decorations, ribbons, and tinsel can cause intestinal blockages, while dogs especially may chew and swallow toy parts or cooked bones. Our vets in Highgate say it's always important to be mindful of hazards, secure bins, and keep pets away from leftovers.

Table scraps & rich foods

Rich, fatty foods and festive leftovers are a recipe for tummy trouble.

• Cooked bones splinter easily and can puncture the gut.
• Foods high in sugar can lead to weight gain, dental problems and diabetes
• Fatty foods like gravy and roast trimmings may trigger pancreatitis.

A few simple precautions can mean a happier, safer holiday season for everyone—furry family members especially! Here's our top advice:

1. Keep tempting foods and hazards out of reach.
2. Don't leave pets unsupervised around christmas trees, gifts, and party food.
3. Dispose of scraps safely.
4. Offer pets their own safe festive treats instead!

Our team at Highgate Veterinary Clinic advise that if your pet shows signs of distress, vomiting, or weakness, or even if you suspect they have ingested something dangerous, contact our emergency vet service in Highgate immediately.