A pet care company has warned dog owners about the dangers of traditional Christmas foods.

We Love Pets, based in Ringwood, has urged owners to be vigilant over the festive period.

Managing director Catherine Bennett, who walks and boards 80 dogs a year, said: "Many pet owners have no idea how dangerous Christmas foods are for their dogs.

"It’s a busy time of year and it only takes a few minutes for your back to be turned and instead of sitting down to turkey and all the trimmings you are on the way to the emergency vets because the dog’s eaten a packet of mince pies or Auntie Cath’s box of chocolates from under the tree.

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Catherine Bennett has offered advice for dog owners this Christmas (Image: We Love Pets) "We’d urge all dog owners to be hyper-vigilant this year and keep potentially harmful foods away from their dogs this Christmas."

The company has warned that mince pies, Christmas cake, chocolate, sage and onion stuffing, macadamia nuts, blue cheese, alcohol, bones, and mouldy food can all be harmful to dogs.

We Love Pets resident vet Dr Eloise Quince said: "If you think your dog has ingested any of the above, give your vet a call immediately.

"Either way, prevention is better than cure, so try to keep all contraband foods out of their reach this Christmas."