Holiday Pet Hazards
Deck the halls with boughs of holly …… but don’t let Fluffy or Spot eat it! Holiday time presents some unique situations, which can be hazardous to your pet’s health. A little planning will make the holidays a happy time for everyone.
Some of the more common “holiday hazards” include:
Bones: The holiday turkey or ham will leave a lot of tantalizing bones, but don’t feed them to your dog. Smaller bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach and intestinal tract. Fats, gravies and poultry skin can cause severe gastrointestinal upset as well.
Holiday Plants: Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia are extremely poisonous when eaten. Keep them out of pets’ reach.
Electrical Cords: Sparkling holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. Be sure you have the cords secured and out of the way.
Sweets: Too much holiday candy is as bad for your pet as it is for you. A stomach ache is a mild side effect while an over-indulgence in chocolate can actually be fatal. Chocolate poisoning is caused by theobromine, a caffeine-like chemical substance found naturally in chocolate. Keep those one pound chocolate kisses well away from curious pets–don’t leave them wrapped under the tree.
Christmas Tree: Make sure your Christmas or Chanukah tree is well secured. If you have a tree climbing cat or large dog, anchor the top of the tree to a wall, using strong cord or rope. Preservatives used in the water at the base can also cause intestinal problems, so be sure this is inaccessible.
Pine Needles: Check around holiday trees and decorative boughs frequently. Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet’s intestines.
Ornaments: Sharp or breakable tree ornaments, yarns, and ribbons, angel hair and especially, tinsel and string should be kept out of Fido’s and Fluffy’s reach. Hang them high on the tree or you may want to skip the tinsel all together as it can cause major problems in the digestive track if ingested.
