Please PAWS for thought this Christmas, and keep your pets safe this Festive Season...

'C' is for CHOOSING or buying an animal on impulse at Christmas is a big NO! Never give pets as Christmas presents. Taking on an animal is a big responsibility and is for life! You need to be able to provide EVERYTHING for your pet, this can include expensive vet bills, so please be certain you can provide the best home for a pet as they deserve.

'H' is for HOLLY berries, poinsetta and mistletoe have all got varying degrees of poisonous qualities to pets - ensure all these plants are out of reach and pick up any berries that fall on the floor

'R' is for RIBBON, wrapping paper and presents which are very tempting for curious pets - avoid leaving pets alone near gifts to prevent damage and consumption!

'I' is for INDULGING is something we all do well at Christmas, but be careful not to indulge your pets too, any change to their diet can cause gastrointestinal upsets - unpleasent for you and them!

'S' is for SMALL toys, tinsels and baubles can all pose a choking risk - ensure they are out of reach

'T' is for TURKEY bones, especially when cooked, can be very brittle and therefore dangerous if given as treats as they can splinter and cause internal damage.

'M' is for MILK, white and plain chocolate can be very poisonous to pets. They contain theobromine which can be fatal to animals in varying levels of quantity. If your dog eats chocolate, make a note of the type and the amount and contact your local vet for advice!

'A' is for ALCOHOL, especially if sweet, can be very palatable to dogs and they can get drunk easily! Ensure alcohol is out of reach to avoid renal problems.

'S' is for SALT on pavements. The rock salt on pavements this time of year can be an irritant to dog's paws, so give their paws a rinse when you get home after a work, and he or she will thank you for it!

Also remember, your pet might not be used to lots of people in your house in one go, so make sure they have a 'bolt hole' to aim for if they get a bit overwhelmed during this period. Don't forget about our small furry pets too - rabbits who are caged outside still need cleaning and checking daily, and would appreciate more sheltered areas to be positioned during the winter months.

HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE CHRISTMAS!