CHOCOLATE poisoning in dogs is the most common cause of toxic ingestion at Christmas, with 73 per cent of vets seeing at least one case, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA).
Vets say that, despite owners’ best intentions, their pets had been poisoned after gifts containing chocolate were placed under the Christmas tree with the owner unaware of the potential peril for their pet lurking beneath the wrapping.
Many cats also suffered toxic ingestion last Christmas, with a quarter of vets treating cats for anti-freeze poisoning.
A further one in five vets also treated cats for ingestion of poisonous plants, including lilies, which can be fatal.
Lily and other pollens can get stuck on cats’ fur and are usually ingested, accidentally, when they groom themselves. Ingesting any part of the lily can result in life threatening kidney issues for cats.
Curious cats may also be tempted to sample the new house plants’ berries, such as holly or mistletoe, which can also lead to stomach upsets and vomiting.
