Christmas pet safety in Colebee: a practical home checklist

Christmas changes the usual household routine: visitors arrive, doors open more often, food is left within reach and decorations appear overnight. Planning for those changes is more effective than relying on your pet to avoid every temptation.

Food: tell guests the rule before lunch

Do not let guests feed pets from the table. Keep plates, rubbish and barbecue scraps secured. RSPCA Australia advises that pets should not be given foods such as chocolate, cooked bones, grapes and raisins, onion, alcohol or Christmas pudding.

Put your pet’s normal food or a suitable treat in a clearly labelled place. That gives children and visitors an easy alternative. If your pet eats something concerning, contact your vet promptly; do not wait for symptoms before asking for advice.

Visitors: create a retreat and control exits

Set up a familiar room or resting area with water and bedding. Give your pet the option to stay away from the gathering. Ask guests not to follow, hug or crowd an animal that moves away.

Make a door plan. For a busy Colebee household with deliveries and guests arriving, use a closed room or secure barrier during arrivals. Ask one person to manage the gate or front door instead of assuming every guest will notice where the pet is.

Decorations: remove the easy hazards

Keep electrical cords, tinsel, ribbons, small ornaments and candles out of reach. Secure the tree so it cannot tip. Check that any flowers or plants brought into the home are safe for your specific pet before placing them where the animal can reach.

Summer: make the cool option obvious

Provide fresh water, shade and access to a cool indoor area. If people are gathering outside, decide where your pet can rest away from the heat and noise. Never leave an animal in a parked car.

At Lulu & Co, hot weather changes our dog-walk plan: we move to indoor enrichment when conditions make outdoor walking unsuitable, and cancel walks in extreme heat. Pet owners should follow veterinary advice for their own animal and act promptly if they are worried about heat-related illness.

If you are away from Colebee

Write down meals, medication, access instructions, your vet’s details and an emergency contact. Tell the carer what is normal for your pet and what changes should be reported.

Lulu & Co provides scheduled holiday visits in Colebee, subject to availability. This is visiting care, not overnight attendance. Confirm that the visit schedule is suitable for your pet before travelling.

Before guests arrive: secure the food, prepare the retreat, check the exits and tell everyone to let the pet choose whether to join in.