Holiday Pet Dangers
Holiday Foods: Don’t let guests feed your pets human food. There are many holiday foods, including fatty meats, gravies, poultry skin, bones, chocolate and alcohol that can cause illnesses varying from vomiting and diarrhea to highly serious pancreatitis or other toxic reactions. Human seasonings aren't good for pets, plus rich foods (including the stock and drippings) can easily upset pets' digestive systems. Keep your pet on his regular diet and caution visitors against giving your pet "special treats."
· Holiday Plants: A number of holiday season plants are poisonous to pets if nibbled or eaten: ivy, holly, hibiscus, mistletoe, and Norfolk Pine are all mildly to very highly toxic. Christmas greens such as juniper, cedar, pine and fir are mildly toxic, especially if needles are ingested as they have the potential to puncture holes in a pet’s intestine. This is not a complete listing...there are many more toxic plants. An additional listing of both toxic and non-toxic plants can be located here. It's wise to keep plants out of your pets' and children's reach.
· Tree Water: Do not let pets drink the holiday tree water. Some may contain fertilizers, and stagnant tree water can harbor bacteria or mold.
· Poisoning Help: If you suspect that your pet has eaten something toxic, you can contact us, visit the toxic plant list on our website, or contact one of the local emergency hospitals if it is outside our normal business hours. The ASPCA has an emergency Animal Poison Control Center open 24-hours, the hotline is 1-888-4-ANI-HELP.
· Electrical Cords: The extra cords and plugs of holiday lights and other fixtures can look like chew toys to pets. Tape down or cover cords to help avoid shocks, burns or other serious injuries. Unplug lights when you are not home.
· Tinsel and Candy Wrappers: Pets, particularly cats, can be tempted to eat tinsel, which can block the intestines. Hang tinsel high and securely to keep it out of reach, or better yet, avoid tinsel completely in homes with pets. The foil wraps on candies can cause internal injuries if swallowed - the foil can be like a razor as it is swallowed and ingested. Keep all candies and their wrappers in a secured place.
· Gifts: Keep pets away from gift packages as well as your gift wrapping area. Ingested string, plastic, cloth and even wrapping paper can lead to intestinal blockage and require surgical removal. For homes with inquiring dogs, it might be best to remove gifts of food or other edibles from under the tree and out of their reach.
· Ornaments: Keep other ornaments out of reach of pets. Ingestion of any ornament or parts thereof, which might look like toys to pets, can result in life-threatening emergencies. Even ornaments made from dried food can lead to ailments. Every year our doctors are called on to remove a holiday item from an unfortunate pet. And remember, shards from broken glass ornaments can injure paws, mouths and other parts of the body.
· Emergency! If your pet ingests or if you suspect she has ingested any kind of foreign material such as glass, broken plastic, staples or other small, sharp objects, contact us (or an emergency clinic if it is after hours) immediately.
· Guests: Holiday guests and other activity can be stressful and even frightening to pets. It can also trigger illness and intestinal upset. Make sure pets have a safe place to retreat in your house. And make sure they are wearing current I.D., or have a microchip in case they escape out a door when guests come and go.
· Stable Routine: Increased activity and visitors during the winter holiday season can upset your pet's routine. Reduce stress by keeping your pet on his regular schedule for feeding and exercise and be sure the pet gets plenty of time and attention.
· Ribbons: Resist the temptation to tie ribbons around pet’s necks for the holidays. The pets can tighten ribbons resulting in choking or hang themselves if the ribbon is caught on an object.
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