VETS are urging Trafford people to spare a thought for their pets over Christmas - and protect them from seasonal hazards.

The tasty festive lunch for human members of the family can pose real dangers for dogs. Turkey bones, onions, garlic, and raisins all have the potential to make your pet seriously ill, and in the case of small bones, even require surgery to remove.

Veterinary organisations have issued a range of tips to make sure people's pets also have a season to be cheerful.

These include -

Protect your pet from poisons – a number of festive treats, such as chocolate, grapes, sweets and liquorice are toxic to cats and dogs;

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;

Forget festive food for pets – we all enjoy a richer diet over Christmas but fatty foods and Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared with animals;

Give toys not treats – too many treats can lead to fat, unhappy animals so consider opting for a new toy, extra cuddles or a long walk if you want to indulge your pet this Christmas.

* To find a vet facility open over Christmas visit findavet.org.uk.