DOG owners are being warned to be vigilant over Christmas to stop their pets eating dangerous festive foods.

Tom Ward from White Cross Vets in Guiseley, said: “Christmas is a time to celebrate and enjoy a whole host of treats for humans and dogs alike – in fact most of the major supermarkets now all stock a huge range of pet-friendly Christmas treats and toys, with everything from mince pies for dogs through to a range of macarons for small breed dogs, filled with mutt-friendly yoghurt and even Pawsecco for cats.

“However, at Christmas time it’s likely that there will be more potentially dangerous foods around the house, like chocolate and Christmas cake, so it’s essential dog owners in particular make sure their pets can’t reach them.

“Every year we see a marked increase in emergency calls around Christmas time. Some are due to owners unwittingly feeding dogs harmful food, but the majority are because a dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have, with chocolate being the most common.

“Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, but it depends on how much they have consumed and what type they have eaten – the darker the chocolate the more at risk the dog is due to the levels of theobromine. Any type of chocolate has the potential to be toxic, but dogs that eat large volumes and dark chocolate in particular will be seriously ill.

“The age and general health of a dog will also affect how they deal with the toxicity of the chocolate, and the speed at which they are treated will also have an impact. If they are treated within half an hour to an hour, they will usually make a quick recovery, but owners should always seek professional help rather than trying to make their dog sick themselves, as this can be extremely dangerous.”

In addition to the perils of certain festive foods, dog owners also need to be wary when walking their dogs during winter.

Tom said: “If there is grit on the pavements or roads it can be potentially toxic to dogs. Pets who ingest grit can experience vomiting, lethargy, and in worst cases, kidney damage so it’s important to wash the dog’s paws with some warm water when coming back from a walk. Also if its snows, make sure that the dog’s fur around their paws is carefully trimmed to avoid any ice getting trapped and don’t let them eat too much snow as their body temperature could become dangerously low.”

White Cross Vets has compiled a list of the 10 most common hazards for pet owners to be aware of at Christmas. They are bones, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and mince pies, chocolate, nuts, Christmas trees, pine needles, seasonal plants, tinsel and ribbons, alcohol, and guests, who might not understand the risks associated with certain food types.