A pet owner has issued an urgent warning after being slapped with a £547 vet bill when her pups tries to eat a very popular festive treat.
Amanda Whyte, 48 from High Wycombe was horrified when she saw her black Labrador Lola, 11, and Jack Russell/Beagle-mix Spotty, seven – sniffing around crumbs on a plate of mince pies, which are toxic to dogs.
Her children had brought the sweet treats from school to kick off the Christmas season, and didn’t realise the pooches could reach them.
‘Christmas is expensive enough as it is,’ she revealed.
‘So getting a vet bill over £500 was not the gift I asked for. Thank goodness I had insurance.’
Amanda Whyte (pictured), 48 from High Wycombe was horrified when she saw her black Labrador Lola, 11, (also pictured) and Jack Russell/Beagle-mix Spotty, seven – sniffing around crumbs on a plate of mince pies, which are toxic to dogs
‘What makes our story so calamitous is that we took both dogs to the vets when it was only the lab who ate them,’ she admitted.
‘Which cost us double whammy on an already stressful day.’
Amanda’s insurance covered £397.
She paid £150 out of her own pocket to cover the emergency appointment which wasn’t covered in the basic insurance plan, plus £50 in excess.
‘I’m very responsible but these things happen, especially with a greedy Lab who is always eating random stuff,’ she added.
Animal health influencer Cat Henstridge – known as Cat the Vet – has warned that owners must be made aware of the risks faced by their pets during Christmas.
Her children had brought the sweet treats from school to kick off the Christmas season, and didn’t realise the pooches could reach them. Amanda pictured with Lola
Amanda described the incident as ‘every dog owner’s worst nightmare’. Pictured: Lola and Spotty
‘Households are full of festive food, plants and decorations that all pose dangers to dogs if eaten,’ she explained.
‘Having a handy guide on your fridge like the one MoneySuperMarket has provided is so useful, especially for guests who may not know the risks as they can sometimes be the culprits.
‘No one wants their pet to be injured because of something avoidable – especially at such a busy and already expensive time of year, when the whole family should be having fun, not rushing to the vets.’
The price comparison site has also today revealed that UK dog owners are set to spend an estimated £91million, or more, this Christmas on emergency vet trips due to avoidable festive dangers.
A third of those surveyed by the company (33 per cent) have needed urgent medical care during the festive season, with chocolate (30 per cent), cheese (16 per cent) and turkey bones (14 per cent) being the biggest culprits
Despite these risks, 21 per cent of dog owners do not have pet insurance, with a third saying it’s too expensive.
‘Our research shows that some dog owners are opting out of insurance because of the cost,’ Saarrah Mussa, pet insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said.
‘But as we have seen from our survey, accidents happen, especially at Christmas when a mince pie, or box of chocolates could prove too tempting for your pet.
‘Vet bills can quickly add up so if the worst happens, it’s better to be covered.
The bill racked up to £547 in total, which covered the cost to treat both dogs. Pictured: Amanda and Spotty
‘Nearly all insurance policies have a two-week cooling off period and in that time insurers will not honour any claims. That means if you’re thinking about getting cover for Christmas, you’re better off sorting it now before the house fills up with festive treats.’
According to the price comparison site, the average premium for a dog insurance policy can cost as little as £9.675 per month for a healthy dog with no pre-existing medical conditions.
Taking breeds, ages, conditions and policies into consideration – the average annual dog insurance premium is £293.916.
Animal experts issue warning about Christmas decorations that pose risk to your pets
A pet care group has warned owners about all the different ways festive decorations could pose a risk to our furry friends this winter.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) has listed how tinsel, Christmas trees and hanging ornaments could put your animal in danger on its website.
A pet care group has warned owners about all the different ways festive decorations could pose a risk to our furry friends this winter. Stock image used
HAZARDOUS:
ARTIFICIAL SNOW
The charity explained that while UK manufacturers will likely use ingredients which have ‘low risks of toxicity in pets’, products imported from abroad may not, due to different safety regulations.
A small amount of artificial snow could give your animal a ‘mild stomach upset’ but shouldn’t lead to any serious or lasting problems.
However, if they consume a lot, a blockage could form from a build-up in the stomach – a vet should be contacted immediately for advice if this happens.
TINSEL
The PDSA says that tinsel is likely to attract curious animals who think the decoration is a shiny new toy – and while it’s not strictly poisonous, pets make choke on it, leading to possible serious injury or even death.
If your pet has eaten tinsel, you should contact the vet immediately, as it’s likely to have caused a blockage while trying to pass through the intestines.
ORNAMENTS, BAUBLES AND LIGHTS
Tree decorations pose a myriad of risks to your pets.
Some may try to eat baubles, which could cause a breathing obstruction if they get stuck in the throat, and may lead to stomach and intestine issues.
Glass ornaments may shatter if they fall to the ground, leaving your pet at risk of stepping on small broken fragments.
And any fairy lights pose a risk of electric shocks – especially higher-voltage variants.
TOXIC:
EDIBLE TREE DECORATIONS
According to the charity, edible tree decorations – if your pet can reach them – pose a very high risk depending on the ingredients used.
A lot will be made from chocolate – which is highly toxic to cats and dogs – thanks to an ingredient called theobromine, which causes nervous system damage in the animals.
And likewise, things like candy canes could contain low-sugar substitutes such a xylitol – also very toxic to pooches.
REAL CHRISTMAS TREES
A traditional Christmas tree often signals the beginning of the festive season for many – but in general, an artificial version is much safer for any animals in the house.
The oils from the needles of real trees are also toxic to pets, and may lead to illness, liver damage or even death.
PDSA’s website said: ‘When a pet ingests small amounts of a tree’s sap by chewing on branches and needles, it can cause unpleasant side effects such as unusual breathing, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
‘Swallowing a large amount can seriously affect their kidney or liver functions, which can be fatal.
‘Contact your vet immediately if you think your pet may have eaten any liquid or oils from the branches.’
The water for the tree is also dangerous. This is because stagnant water is often a breeding ground for bacteria, leaving pets with an upset stomach if they drink it. Make sure not to add chemicals, fertilisers or preservatives in.
And regardless of whether a tree is real or artificial, your pet could still injure themselves if they knock it over or try to climb it, so ensure that it is secured.