15 December 2010

Don’t Let Hidden Household Dangers Ruin Your Pets’ Christmas

• Turkey bones, tinsel and mistletoe could prove hazardous for dogs and cats
• M&S Pet Insurance policyholders have access to vet nurse specialists throughout Christmas

M&S Pet Insurance is warning pet owners to watch out for hidden household dangers that can cause illness to dogs and cats this Christmas.

Christmas is a time for festive fun for all the family and that includes the family pets.

However, the festive season poses a threat to the family’s dogs and cats from seasonal dangers, including:

• Tasty off cuts of turkey and other poultry contain bones that can get stuck in the oesophagus and intestine of your pet. Even small Christmas cracker toys need to be gathered up with care. If you would keep it away from a toddler then keep it away from your pet! Early treatment can greatly improve the outcome for your pet.
• Another Christmas danger is tinsel and ribbon from presents which can be swallowed and cause linear foreign bodies. These can go undetected for weeks. Siamese cats commonly display ‘pica’, which means a craving for abnormal objects and so these pets suffer these problems more than most. Symptoms include vomiting, anorexia, depression and abdominal discomfort.
• Poinsettia - the pot plant with the bright red top leaves common at Christmas – can also be a danger. The sap from these plants is an irritant and eating a Poinsettia leaf may result in tummy upsets for your pets.
• Mistletoe poisoning can occur if your pet eats a large amount of berries. If you do use mistletoe, try and remove the berries. Symptoms of mistletoe poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, increased heart and respiratory rate.

M&S Pet Insurance policyholders have access to a 24-hour advice line, 365 days a year.

Vetfone™ nurses provide concerned animal lovers with immediate advice on a pet’s condition and can decide whether emergency medical treatment is required.

David Wells, M&S Head of Insurance, said: ‘Christmas is a wonderful time of the year for all the family, but the festive period also brings hidden dangers for family pets. It can be very upsetting when a family cat or dog suddenly becomes unwell and pet owners should remain vigilant.

‘M&S Pet Insurance customers have access to a qualified veterinary expert around the clock, providing advice and answering questions should a pet become unwell.’

For more information about M&S Pet Insurance or to apply, customers can visit www.marksandspencer.com/petinsurance or telephone 0800 731 4280.

ENDS

For further information please call the M&S Money press office:

Simon Coughlin on 020 7992 1574
simon.coughlin@mandsmoney.com
Liz Neild on 01244 686 068
liz.a.neild@mandsmoney.com

Notes to Editors

M&S Pet Insurance - Key Features

• M&S Premier Insurance offers up to £7,000 a year in vets' fees for illness and injury
• Cover from 8 weeks with no upper age limit
• No time limit on treatment as long as your policy is in force
• Premier and Standard cover available
• M&S Pet Insurance Premier Cover has been Five-Star Rated for features and benefits by Defaqto, an independent research company
• Save 15% when you apply online (available to new customers only)
• Unlimited telephone access to a Vet Nurse 24/7 with Vetfone. Customers receive a 5% discount from Bestpet pharmacy.
• 5% multi pet discount
• M&S Cardholders will earn 250 M&S points, when they take out a new policy

M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc. The company is now a top‑ten credit card provider and the second‑largest travel money retailer in the UK.  M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including home insurance and car insurance, as well as loans, savings and investment products.

In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 9,500 offices in 86 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,527 billion at 31 December 2008, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.

M&S Money has an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives from HSBC and Marks & Spencer.

M&S Pet Insurance policies are provided by RSA Insurance Group plc.