Let’s explore the Christmas foods you should avoid giving to your pets and how to keep them safe.

Toxic Christmas Foods for Pets

Chocolate: A Common Culprit

Chocolate is one of the most dangerous festive foods for pets, particularly dogs. It contains theobromine, a compound toxic to dogs that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, seizures or even death. The risk is highest during December, with more chocolate in homes than at any other time of the year. Even the wrappers can pose a hazard, as they may cause blockages if ingested.

To keep your pet safe:

• Avoid placing chocolate coins on your Christmas tree.
• Keep advent calendars and chocolate boxes out of reach.
• Ensure wrapped chocolatey presents are stored securely, as pets can sniff them out.

If your pet consumes chocolate, call your vet immediately. Your vet will need details about the type and amount eaten to assess the risk. Never attempt to make your pet sick without veterinary advice, as this can sometimes worsen the situation.

Dried Fruits in Christmas Treats

Festive favourites like mince pies, Christmas cake, and Christmas pudding are laden with raisins, sultanas, and currants, all of which are toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of these dried fruits can cause kidney failure. Other culprits include stollen and chocolate-covered raisins.

If your dog eats any of these:

• Contact your vet as soon as possible, even if your pet appears fine initially. The effects of these toxins can be delayed by days.
• Do not induce vomiting, as it can make matters worse.

Sage and Onion Stuffing: A Hidden Danger

Stuffing, a staple of Christmas dinners, often contains onions, garlic, leeks, and chives—all members of the allium family, which are harmful to dogs. These ingredients can damage red blood cells, potentially leading to life-threatening anaemia.

Signs of poisoning may take a few days to appear and can include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and lethargy. If your pet eats any stuffing or onion-based gravy, seek veterinary advice immediately.

How to Keep Your Pets Safe This Christmas

Keeping pets safe during the festive season requires vigilance and preparation. Here’s a quick guide to protecting your furry friends:

• Store toxic foods like chocolate, mince pies, and stuffing well out of your pet’s reach.
• Monitor your pet during gatherings to ensure they don’t sneak scraps from guests.
• Educate visitors about the risks of feeding pets human food.
• Provide your pet with safe, pet-friendly treats so they can join in the festive fun without risk.

Trust Village Vets for Expert Pet Healthcare

At Village Vets, we understand the importance of your pet’s health and well-being. If your pet ingests any toxic foods or shows signs of distress, contact your vet immediately. Our team is here to provide advice, care, and emergency veterinary services when you need them most.

This Christmas, let’s keep our furry companions safe and healthy while celebrating the season. For expert guidance and support, trust Village Vets—your partner in pet healthcare and pet wellness.

Wishing you and your pets a joyful and safe Christmas!

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At Village Vets, we prioritise the well-being and safety of your beloved pets. In a recent interview with Dublin City FM, our resident pet expert and veterinarian, Aislinn Cullen, sheds light on the importance of dog microchipping. With 18 convenient locations across Dublin, Meath, and Wicklow, here at Village Vets, we are here to provide you with the necessary information and services to keep your furry friends protected.

What is Dog Microchipping?

Microchipping involves the implantation of a small device, about the size of a grain of rice, under your dog’s skin. This device contains a unique number that can be scanned to retrieve important information about your pet. Since April 1st 2016, it is a legal requirement for all dogs in Ireland, as stated in the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations. By the time they reach 12 weeks of age, dogs must be microchipped by a veterinarian and registered on an authorised database, including details of the owner.

Enforcement and Benefits:

Enforcement of microchipping regulations varies depending on the situation. For example, if your dog ends up in a dog pound and is found without a microchip, you may not be able to retrieve them until the microchipping is done. However, visiting a vet for the procedure is a straightforward solution. In the event that your pet goes missing and is found, the microchip can be scanned to obtain the unique number, which can then be matched with your contact details on the database. It greatly increases the chances of reuniting with your furry companion.

Microchipping Other Pets:

While microchipping is not a legal requirement for other domestic pets, Aislinn recommends microchipping all cats. Cats are known to wander and can easily go missing. Microchipping aids in their safe return home. As for rabbits, ferrets, tortoises, birds, and other pets, the decision to microchip depends on individual circumstances and preferences.

Updating Microchip Details:

It is crucial to keep your pet’s microchip details up to date. The microchip itself only corresponds to a number, and it is your responsibility to update your contact information on the authorised database. When acquiring a new dog, ensure that the microchip is registered with the breeder, and obtain the necessary form to update the details with your own information.

Tips and Strategies for Pet Safety:

While microchipping is an effective safety measure, it’s essential to take additional precautions to limit your pet’s straying tendencies. Aislinn suggests keeping a new pet at home for 6-8 weeks to help them become familiar with their surroundings. Simulating the home environment with high fences and secure boundaries can also help prevent straying. In the unfortunate event that your pet does go missing, be sure to check the microchip number and the authorised database to ensure your details are correct. Notify local vet, authorities, and pounds, and leverage social media groups, flyers, and the help of your neighbours to spread the word.

Visit our website at www.villagevets.ie to find the nearest Village Vets practice and make an appointment. Remember to bring proof of your identification and address to the appointment. You can contact us here: www.villagevets.ie/contact-us and listen to the full interview with Aislinn here: http://bit.ly/3lGznDD.

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For many pet owners, the decision to spay or neuter their furry companions is a significant one. Not only does it affect the well-being of your pet, but it also has a broader impact on pet overpopulation and community health. Let’s delve into the key considerations surrounding spaying and neutering, and why it’s a responsible choice for your four-legged friend.

Addressing Pet Overpopulation: A Vital Concern

Animal shelters worldwide grapple with the challenge of accommodating unwanted pets, often resulting from unplanned breeding. Tragically, many of these animals fail to find loving homes. This predicament underscores the urgency of spaying and neutering pets. By taking this step, you contribute to the reduction of unplanned litters and help alleviate the strain on animal shelters, leading to healthier and happier communities.

Enhanced Health and Well-Being

Early spaying and neutering can profoundly impact your pet’s health and longevity. Beyond preventing unwanted litters, these procedures offer tangible health benefits. Neutering reduces your pet’s likelihood of certain cancers and eliminates the risk of potentially life-threatening conditions in females. Moreover, spaying curtails the risk of infections and complications tied to pregnancy and birth.

Common Queries Addressed

1. Addressing Changes in Behavior and Activity:

Contrary to misconceptions, spaying or neutering your pet won’t transform them into a couch potato. While their energy levels may slightly decrease, this can be attributed to a reduction in the instinct to wander. Any shifts in appetite can often be managed with mindful feeding habits.

2. Personality Alterations:

Rest assured that your pet’s fundamental personality traits remain unchanged. Neutering or spaying doesn’t alter their core character. Instead, it can lead to a decrease in aggression towards other animals and mitigate the urge to roam.

3. Anaesthesia Concerns:

While there’s a marginal risk associated with anaesthesia, modern veterinary practices employ safe anaesthetics. If you have concerns, don’t hesitate to discuss them with our skilled veterinarians.

4. Breeding for Profit:

While you can breed your pets, the prevalence of notices seeking homes for kittens and puppies emphasises the need for responsible breeding. Consider the long-term impact on animal welfare before pursuing this path.

5. Health and Longevity:

These procedures enhance your pet’s chances of leading a healthier, longer life by reducing the risk of certain diseases and conditions.

6. Improved Pet-Family Dynamics:

Neutered pets exhibit better behaviour around other animals and are less prone to wandering and aggression.

7. A Cleaner Home:

Spaying eliminates female dogs’ heat cycles and decreases male dogs’ marking of their territory, contributing to a cleaner home environment

8. Combating Overpopulation:

By opting for spaying and neutering, you actively contribute to tackling the challenge of pet overpopulation, promoting healthier communities.

The Procedure in Brief

The spaying or neutering process is relatively straightforward. Prior to the surgery, your pet is examined by our veterinary team. After a brief fast, the procedure is performed, typically in the morning. Recovery is swift, and your pet can be back with you on the same day. Aftercare involves monitoring and ensuring your pet avoids strenuous activity while the incision heals.

Pet Health Plan Members Receive Exclusive Benefits

We’re delighted to extend an exclusive benefit to our Pet Health Plan members. As a part of our commitment to your pet’s well-being, members of our Pet Health Plan are entitled to a 10% discount on the neutering procedure. To find out more about our Pet Health Plan and the benefits it offers, please visit http://villagevets.ie/villagevets.ie/free-visits.

Take the Responsible Step

By choosing to spay or neuter your pet, you’re not only safeguarding their health but also playing a crucial role in maintaining a balanced pet population. Reach out to us to book your pet’s surgery and contribute to a brighter, healthier future for your beloved companion and the community as a whole.

The post THE IMPORTANCE OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING YOUR PET appeared first on Village Vets.

What’s in Chocolate That’s so Bad?:

Millions of years ago, certain plants began to develop traits that made them inedible to wild animals. Sometimes they became poisonous, other times they became bitter to the taste, or it simply rendered itself useless to an animal’s metabolism. Eventually, we humans came along, found the bitter-tasting cocoa plant and thought “this stuff tastes great, let’s mix it with milk and see what happens!” Now, history lesson aside, the thing that gives chocolate its bitter taste and anti-metabolising properties is a chemical called theobromine, the same chemical that the cocoa plant developed to ward off animal predators. Thus, we reach the crux of the matter; theobromine is the thing in chocolate that is dangerous to dogs.

Warning Signs:

As you now know, theobromine is lethal to dogs, but there are symptoms of chocolate poisoning that are easy to spot: vomiting, diarrhoea, excitability, excessive thirst and urination. It can also cause more severe signs such as seizures and changes to the heart rate, which can be fatal. So, we know the culprit, we know the signs…

What Can I Do if my Dog Eats Chocolate?:

If your dog has eaten chocolate and you know this for a fact, call us immediately.

For all other enquiries, click here.

After ingesting chocolate, it can take up to 4 hours for symptoms to show, but don’t wait till then to call your Vet. If you even suspect that your pooch has gotten into the goodies drawer, phone your Vet immediately. If you think your pooch may be showing symptoms, phone your Vet immediately. If your pooch’s behaviour changes drastically, well, you get the idea.

Upon reaching your chosen clinic, your Vet will want to do one of two things. The first thing, and the one not nice for anyone, is to give your dog an injection that will induce vomiting. This is most effective immediately after your dog has ingested the goods. The second thing, is to keep your pooch for an overnight stay, monitor their condition, provide supportive treatments and see if the sickness and symptoms pass on their own. There is no cure for theobromine poisoning and if the goods can’t be refunded, then your dog will need to beat it on his own (with a little help from us, of course).

Naturally, the best course of action is to not let your dog eat chocolate in the first place. While this may be obvious, it helps to be aware of where the sweet, sweet chocolate in your house is stored. This is especially prevalent around Easter where egg hunts, chocolate and children are plentiful; each a key part in any recipe for disaster! Just remember the three A’s: Make your guests and family Aware about the dangers of chocolate, keep chocolate Away from your pet at all times, and Act if your pet swallows any chocolate — Aware, Away, Act… simples!

Signing Off:

We hope that you’re now more than prepared to handle any chocolate related emergencies over the Easter bank holiday. The main thing is to remain calm and act swiftly; speed is the key, and no matter how doubtful you are of whether your dog has actually ingested chocolate, it always pays to err on the side of caution.

Ciao!

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