Worrying number of pets get into Christmas scrapes
Results from a recent survey carried out by the RSPCA have revealed nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of owners plan to dish up a Christmas dinner for their pets.
Owners taking part in the survey also reported a number of other scrapes their pets had got into over Christmas. The most common of these was opening or destroying Christmas presents (31 per cent).
Just over a quarter of owners said their pet had pulled down the Christmas tree, while 17 per cent reported their pet had eaten Christmas decorations.
Other incidents included a cat chewing through the wire for the Christmas lights and a dog that chewed a mini computer when it was delivered.
According to Craig Osbourne from RSPCA Newbrook Farm, staff treated 37 animals between Chrtismas Eve and Boxing Day last year, including a kitten that had swallowed tinsel.
He said: "We often get cases of dogs and cats swallowing bones or squeakers from toys and if they are unable to pass foreign bodies such as those mentioned this can lead to severe vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation. Some require hospitalisation and some have serious complications that they require life saving surgery."
Craig warned owners not to leave presents containing chocolate within easy reach of pets - a lesson he had to learn the hard way when his 12-month-old rescue dog Carly ate a large box of chocolates left under the Christmas tree. He said: "Thankfully, though she spent most of the next 48 hours with vomiting and diarrhoea, made a full recovery and we never made that mistake again."
Staff at the Harmsworth Hospital in London will be caring for up to 120 animals already being cared for at the hospital, as well as any emergencies. Clinical director Seb Prior said: "Boxing day is typically very busy after the excess of Christmas. Last year we had 10 new emergencies; two cats had blocked bladders, a condition which is exacerbated by stress.
"Often owners don’t realise the impact that lots of visitors or unusual people on our feline friends but it can be very stressful for them to have changes in their environment and this can have an impact on their health. So making sure they have places to hide or get away from things is important."
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
