Kingsteignton Veterinary Group is urging pet owners to watch out for potential hazards to their pets this Christmas, as findings released by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) reveal that a nativity display, antifreeze and £200 in £20 notes were just some of the items that landed animals in veterinary practices in the last festive period.

In the South West, 77 per cent of vets saw at least one case of toxic ingestion in pets during Christmas 2014, according to findings from BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey.

Across the UK, chocolate poisoning in dogs was the most common toxic ingestion case; a quarter of vets also treated cats for dangerous antifreeze poisoning and one in ten vets saw dogs that had eaten Christmas decorations.

Nick Lloyd, veterinary surgeon from Kingsteignton Veterinary Group, said:

“Every year we see tragic avoidable cases of pets that have eaten or damaged their selves during the Christmas season. Sadly, some owners occasionally wait before bringing them to the vet, and this can cause the situation to worsen.

’We would always recommend that you contact your vet as soon as possible, as this is the quickest and safest way to deal with these unfortunate incidents. We are always available over the phone for advice”.

To keep Christmas merry for the whole household, local vets are urging animal-lovers to ensure their home is safe for four-legged friends by following these five simple tips:

1. Protect your pet from poisons – a number of festive treats and traditions, such as chocolate, raisins, xylitol (found in sugar free treats), nuts, grapes, liquorice, poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are toxic to cats and dogs.

2. Keep decorations out of reach – ribbons, wrapping paper, baubles, tinsel and tree lights can all prove irresistible to cats and dogs but can be very dangerous if broken, chewed or swallowed. Batteries for Christmas gifts also need to be kept safe as, if ingested, they may cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat and stomach.

3. Forget festive food for pets – we all enjoy a richer diet over Christmas, but fatty foods and Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared. They can trigger indigestion, sickness and diarrhoea or even conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis, so try to stick to your pet’s regular diet and routine. Turkey bones should not be given to pets as they can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.

4. Give toys not treats – we all want our pets to share the fun and many of us include a gift for our pet on the shopping list. But too many treats can lead to fat, unhappy animals so consider opting for a new toy, or a long walk if you want to indulge your pet this Christmas.