Seventy-four per cent of vets in Wales saw at least one case of pet poisoning from festive treats last Christmas, prompting the British Veterinary Association to urge pet owners to watch out for hazards to their pets this year.

Chocolate poisoning remains the most common cause of toxic ingestion at Christmas for dogs, with 68 per cent of local vets seeing at least one case.

There has also been a spike in raisin or sultana poisoning over the past two years, with 42 per cent vets reporting treating a case during last year’s festive season.

Many cats also suffered toxic ingestion last Christmas, with almost one in three vets in Wales having treated cats for antifreeze poisoning.

Festive decorations, gift wrapping and seasonal plants like lilies and poinsettias were other common reasons for pets landing up at the vets.

To keep Christmas merry for the whole household, BVA is urging animal lovers to ensure their home is safe for four-legged friends by following these tips:

1) Protect your pet from poisons – a number of festive things, such as chocolate, raisins, xylitol (found in sugar free treats), nuts, grapes, liquorice, poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are toxic to cats and dogs.

2) Keep decorations out of reach – ribbons, wrapping paper, baubles, tinsel and tree lights can all prove irresistible to cats and dogs but can be very dangerous if broken, chewed or swallowed. Batteries also need to be kept safe as, if ingested, they may cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat and stomach.

3) Forget festive food for pets – we all enjoy a richer diet over Christmas, but fatty foods and Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared.

They can trigger sickness and diarrhoea or other conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis, so try to stick to your pet’s regular diet and routine. Bones can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.

4) Give toys not treats – we all want our pets to share the fun and many of us include a gift for our pet on the shopping list. But too many treats can lead to fat pets which can have serious consequences for their health, so consider opting for a new toy instead.

5) Know where to go – with all the care in the world, accidents and emergencies can still happen.

Check your vet’s emergency cover provision and opening hours or use the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Find a Vet facility at https://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/home/