Pet owners are being urged to rein in their desire to share festive treats with their furry friends as many foods can pose serious health risks.
While many steer clear of giving their dogs chocolate, other foods can be equally as toxic, Lort Smith Animal Hospital's Jessica Wilde told AAP.
Cooked ham bones, grapes, raisins and sultanas are among the foods that can cause serious long-term health complications in pets.
"Lots of meals contain bones, such as Christmas ham, which are cooked and can pose an extra risk for animals because they can shatter in the delicate mouth area or into the intestinal tract," Dr Wilde added.
"Equally like things like ham, they're highly fatty which can lead to gastrointestinal upsets."
Fatty foods can also trigger pancreatitis in dogs, a highly painful inflammation of the pancreas.
But it's not just foods that send pets to the emergency room, holiday decorations can also pose serious risks.
"Christmas decorations are particularly appealing to our pets because they're shiny and new. We do get lots of pets accidentally eating decorations off trees," Dr Wilde continued.
"If something does get stuck within their tummy, we have to surgically operate, which is incredibly stressful. It can actually cause damage within the stomach or intestines."
Vet clinics and hospitals see a surge in requests for assistance over the festive period, many of which are linked to toxic foods.
"We see an increase in the number of gastrointestinal upsets, so unfortunately dogs and cats with vomiting or diarrhoea," she said.
"We also see a lot more foreign bodies, so animals that have bones stuck in their stomachs, it can also be barbecue skewers that have potentially been eaten too."
RSPCA NSW chief veterinarian Liz Arnott believes preparation can prevent some of the most common emergencies for dogs and cats ingesting dangerous festive foods.
One of the best things families can do is create a quiet retreat on Christmas Day.
"Find a spot your pet already likes to spend time and make it a calm, separate area where they can escape the noise and excitement," Dr Arnott said.
"Set it up with chew toys, lick mats and their bed so they're happy to settle there. For cats, elevated spaces are ideal - somewhere they can watch what's going on without being right in the middle of it."
Experts advise that pet owners should know which vet clinics are open, in case their furry friend consumes something harmful.
