Ways to have an animal-friendly Christmas

Christmas is coming and that means it’s time to prepare for the festive season. But it is possible to have a fabulous, fun-filled Christmas while still being animal- and environmentally friendly too.

The RSPCA has issued its top tips for a magical Christmas that is also animal-friendly and environment-friendly:

Reindeer food

You can buy reindeer food from lots of shops and websites but many of these contain ingredients that aren’t environmentally friendly and can actually be dangerous for animals (particularly edible glitter).

The RSPCA has developed some special wildlife-friendly reindeer food recipes so you can leave treats out for Rudolph and his friends, while also ensuring other animals are safe:

• A handful of wild bird seed (which may include sunflower hearts, naked rolled oats, dried mealworms, yellow millet, kibbled peanuts and black sunflower seeds);
• A few rolled oats;
• Some dried fruit, like cranberries (don’t use grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants if you have dogs as they can be poisonous);
• Some dried insects (try mealworms and waxworms);
• Some grated cheese;
• A hint of chilli powder to keep Rudolph’s nose glowing red (don’t worry, birds can’t taste it but it will stop squirrels and rodents from stealing the food before Rudolph arrives!)

Mix it all together; sprinkle it on your lawn, on a bird table or leave it in a bowl by your front door just before you go to bed.

 

 

 

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Choose a high-welfare dinner

Make the higher welfare choice and make a difference for farm animals by looking out for the RSPCA-Assured logo when you shop this Christmas to ensure you’re supporting the farmers who are dedicated to improving farm animal welfare.

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Leftovers for wildlife

You can still help animals once Christmas dinner is over by giving your leftovers to wildlife:

• Turkey (deboned, without gravy, in small amounts) - foxes, badgers, dogs and cats
• Potatoes (boiled, baked, roasted or mashed) - birds and badgers
• Peas and sprouts - foxes and badgers
• Carrots - badgers, foxes and dogs
• Christmas cake and mince pies (unsweetened pastry), crumbed - birds
• Unsalted nuts and savoury snacks (chopped and crushed) - garden birds
• Cheese (grated) - birds and badgers

Processed meats (like pigs in blankets) and stuffing aren’t suitable for any animals due to their high salt content.

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DIY pet gifts

An RSPCA survey found that 83% of animal-lovers will buy their pet a Christmas present and more than half of those who took part admitted they’d be getting their furry, feathered or scaly friend a stocking to celebrate the festive season.

The RSPCA has lots of ideas for those owners who would rather make something out of bits and pieces they can find around their house instead:

Make a DIY pet advent calendar and puzzle feeder

 

Make frozen DIY heart dog treats

 

Make DIY horse cookies

 

Make a DIY hay ring toy for your rabbit or guinea pig

 

Make a cat castle

 

Make a vegetable garland for your chickens

 

Make a DIY tuggy toy for your dog

 

Make a pet treat jar