A dog expert has warned owners that a popular Christmas decoration that pooches love to eat could prove lethal.
Dog behaviourist Nanci Creedon has cautioned that snow globes, a common sight in homes around the festive period, can kill dogs if they ingest the liquid inside.
Ms Creedon raised the alarm in a warning to pet owners after two dogs sadly died last year after eating the Yuletide toys.
Speaking to The Sun, Ms Creedon said: “A big one is snow globes. Dog owners really need to be wary if they have them in the house.
“Snow globes are actually filled with anti-freeze which is absolutely deadly to dogs.
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“It kills dogs very quickly, but it also tastes very nice to dogs. It’s a big hidden danger. It’s so important if you’re a first-time dog owner that you do all of your research of what is toxic to dogs before you decorate your home.”
Other popular ingredients for Christmas food staples can also be toxic to your furry friend, she warned.
“You might not realise how toxic things like fruitcake can be – or even just things like garlic and onions,” she told the outlet.
“There are going to be risks – from electric wires that dogs can chew on to gifts being left underneath the tree. It’s just so important.”
Last Christmas dog trainer Caroline Osbourn lost two of her dogs they licked up the poisonous liquid from a snow globe.
Her two dogs, Milo, and Lexi, are believed to have died as a result of consuming anti-freeze. The 46-year-old said she discovered what had happened after hearing a crash from her kitchen.
When she rushed into the room she found her dogs licking the liquid from one of the spherical trinkets. While cleaning up the mess, Osbourn noticed that the clear liquid felt both sticky and oily. She then learnt of the toxic nature of the liquid after searching online.
Anti-freeze is highly poisonous to canines and consuming it can result in brain, lung and kidney damage, according to dog welfare group The Kennel Club.
The group says it can also be sweet, making it “irresistible” to dogs. Devastated by the experience, Caroline called on all dog owners to get rid of any snow globes in their homes to ensure their furry friends don’t meet the same fate.
Caroline said: “I had no idea [snow globes] had antifreeze in them.”
She added: “That snow globe was 15 years old and nothing had ever happened with it before.
“I wouldn’t have had it in the house – We’ve got another snow globe too but I’ve binned that now and I urge others to do the same. Please if you have any snow globes be careful with them,” she added, “I would not wish this on my worst enemy.”
