By Dr Rosie Brown BVSc (Hons)

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Some of the best parts of Christmas are sharing good times with our families and friends. Whether you're having a picnic at the beach, or cooking a barbecue for your loved ones, there are always feelings of camaraderie and goodwill.

Your pet loves to share Christmas with you too. However, you do need to take care, because there are hazards that can lurk behind the scenes during the festive season.

Australians love their ham at Christmas time. However, too much ham can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Your dog will vomit, become extremely depressed, and have a very sore abdomen. This condition may even be fatal. There seems to be a link between feeding your dog ham and the development of pancreatitis so, just to be safe, pop the ham scraps in the bin. If your family prefer to have a roast turkey or chicken, don't feed your pets the bones, no matter how much they look at you with those soulful eyes. Cooked bones can splinter and cause damage to their gastro intestinal tract.

Your pet may sneak some of your drink when you're not looking, particularly if you enjoy a milky liqueur - they would really enjoy some Tia Maria and milk. Cats and dogs can become drunk, just as we do. Although you may think it's funny, they don't understand what's happening to them, and can become quite frightened.

Don't forget about the chocolate. It's toxic to dogs, and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and seizures. If you eat all the chocolate yourself, you're actually saving your dog from becoming unwell. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!

Most homes have a Christmas tree as part of their décor, and decorating it is a highlight of the weeks before Christmas. Cats in particular like to try and climb the tree, and may pull it over on themselves. This may result in broken glass from shattered ornaments on the floor, and cut feet on your cat.

If you have a dog that chews, keep him away from the electric cord for the Christmas tree lights. If he does happen to chew through it, he may get electrical burns in his mouth. That's a painful way to spend Christmas.

Perhaps part of your home décor needs to be a safety gate to protect your pet.

When the gifts are unwrapped, take particular care to dispose of any string or ribbon that was part of the wrapping. Long thin ribbons and tinsel are particularly dangerous to our pets. If they're swallowed, they result in what's called a linear foreign body. They move along your pet's intestine, causing it to concertina on itself.  This can affect the blood supply to parts of the intestine, and may lead to very serious complications. Your vet doesn't want to spend her Christmas operating on your pet to save its life.

Many animals are afraid of fireworks. Although they're more common around New Year's Eve, there's always the possibility that someone wants to celebrate Christmas with some sparkles. If you think your pet will be afraid, lock him up. Make him a comfortable and safe haven inside your home. That way, if he does get a fright, he's not going to escape from your yard. Many pets are lost over New Year when they run off in terror. Just in case, make sure he's micro chipped, and he's wearing a tag on his collar with your contact details.

Christmas can be fun for your pet. Be aware of the potential dangers, and you'll not spend the festive season at the emergency veterinarian. And, don't forget to put a gift under the tree for your four legged family member.