It is that one time of year when nearly all routine goes out of the window, but the family member that won’t be expecting change over the Christmas and New Year festivities, will be your companion animal, pet or horse.

To avoid causing distress to pets, and reduce risks of illness and injury, animal medicines advisors are providing a few handy tips to help you and your companion enjoy a stress-free Christmas.

We are all rushing around at the last minute, then visiting friends and family, cramming everything into the few days we have away from normal working lives. While we may even forget what day it is, our cats, dogs and horses won’t.

While there will likely be disruption as we have more visitors during the festive period, or perhaps we are away for a few days, it is important to try and keep as normal a routine as possible for our pets.

AMTRA is warning of the risks of disruption to routine, as well as other hazards that could cause problems during this time of year.

“Dogs, cats and horses can all be upset by changes to routine, such as different feeding patterns and times, or reduced exercise and attention time,” explains Sharon Groves, pet owner and SQP representative on the AMTRA Council.

“There are a number of hazards around the house, so be vigilant. Cats see Christmas trees as an excellent climbing frame, which bring obvious risks of injury and fire hazards.”

“Chocolates lying around, and other festive items including flowers and plants can be poisonous to your pets, so try and keep out of their reach.”