A very Merry and dog friendly Christmas menu!

Today, we've launched a new veterinary approved Doggy Christmas Menu in a bid to raise awareness of the dangers some traditional Christmas treats can pose to man’s best friend.

Christmas is always a time of indulgence as we tuck into our mince pies and much favoured Christmas puddings! Sadly, many people also unwittingly over-indulge their dogs with festive treats and human foods (or the pooches are very sneaky and help themselves). Unfortunately, in some cases, this can prove fatal.

Dog poisoning is a serious problem and every Christmas a worrying number of dogs become seriously ill after eating human foods such as chocolate and raisins. Feeding your dog human foods can have dire consequences such as vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and in some cases chronic breathing difficulties. Other dangerous foods for dogs include dates, grapes, mince pies, Christmas puddings, whole brazil nuts, excessive amounts of cheese, alcohol, onion, raw potato (green), turkey bones and high content cocoa chocolate.

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, Chris Laurence, suggests:

“As a vet I have seen some terrible examples of dog poisoning over the Christmas period. In many cases the owner was totally unaware of the hidden dangers and was simply intending to be kind to their dog who was eager to share in the festive treats. Like with humans, all foods should be given in moderation. Other festive items to avoid giving your dog include Hollie berries, Mistletoe, xylitol based sweetner and alcohol such as mulled wine.”

However, help is at hand. Dogs Trust has devised a delicious, healthy and safe three-course Doggy Christmas Menu specially designed with dogs in mind. Veterinary approved dishes include Mutt Nog, Cranberry and Turkey Goble Gobble, Pooches Glazed Vegetables and Doggy Mince Pies.

TV actor and presenter, Jeremy Edwards’ much loved dog, Molly, was the first to take part in a canine taste test. Jeremy explains:

“Molly has certainly given her paw of approval to this risk-free Christmas treat. Despite being a fussy eater, she particularly adores the doggy mince pies - she devoured them in 30 seconds flat!”

Anyone wanting to give their canine a special treat this Christmas can download the complete doggy menu amd recipes (opens new browser window).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/balakov/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

Meet Dogs Trust: Hollie Sevenoaks (and Sadie)

Last week, you met web guru Jacqui Darlow! This week it's the turn of our campaigns and education crew to get a look in...

Name: Hollie Sevenoaks

Location: Dogs Trust HQ, London

Job: Campaigns & Education Manager

You what...? I manage a team of eight regionally based Education Officers, who visit schools to provide free workshops promoting the message of responsible dog ownership. I also manage a wide variety of projects as required by the Head of Campaigns. My role at Dogs Trust is always evolving and interesting, which is why I have been here ten years now!

Best thing about my job: The people that I work with and the fact that I get to bring my beloved four-legged friend, Sadie, to work with me.

Pets: I have just the one dog, Sadie, who is aged 15 but she's still young at heart. Sadie loves coming to Dogs Trust HQ and being fussed over by my colleagues.

Favourite websites: I love Facebook, who doesn't?! Also a fan of going to shows at the theatre, so lastminute.com helps me feed this rather expensive addiction!

What I'm reading now: I have just finished Marley and Me by John Grogan. It is a touching and humourous true tale of a man's relationship with his dog, Marley, from puppyhood to old age. It's one of those rare books that can make you laugh out loud and then cry the next minute.

Weekend plans: Sadie is currently undertaking a course of hydrotherapy to help ease her arthritis, so I'll be taking her to treatment this weekend as well as meeting up with friends for a good old chinwag and a curry!

'High rise syndrome' sees cats and dogs at risk from falls

We know to keep dogs on the leash near busy roads, and to ensure gardens are safely fenced in to protect them from straying and traffic accidents. But what about 'high rise syndrome'?

The ASPCA has been warning that, come summer time, pets kept in flats can meander close to open windows and end up taking a painful tumble, leading to serious injury or even death. Although cats are the main victims, some smaller dogs that people keep in apartment complexes are also prone to falling from fire escapes and balconies.

It's not exclusive to flats, either. My friend's Rottweiler, having lived safely in a large house for eleven years, suddenly got overly curious about an open window just as her owner turned her back for a second. In the blink of an eye, Sasha sailed out of the window, which overlooked the yard a full storey below. Thankfully she only suffered a short-lived sprain, but needless to say she was kept out of the room whenever it had open windows after that.

There's no need to swelter inside in order to keep your pets safe. Insect screens will keep bugs out and pets in, and common sense dictates that neither dogs nor cats should be left on a balcony or fire escape unattended.

Designed mainly for cat-owners but useful for anyone keeping a pet in a high level flat, the ASPCA's high rise survival tips are a valuable resource.