Holiday Hazards

Deck the halls, light the candles, share your traditions, …. No matter how you celebrate the Holiday Season, there can be increased risks for your pets during this time. A few precautions can make it an enjoyable time for all concerned. Some of the more common Holiday hazards include:

Rich (and yummy!) foods - Most of us enjoy a turkey, ham, or other holiday goodies. Just as overindulgence can cause digestive upsets for us, these foods can cause minor gastrointestinal problems in our pets. Fatty foods can, however, cause a serious inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) in dogs.
Bones - In addition, bones from our Holiday feast can cause a lot of problems. Chewing on large bones (although a lot of fun) can fracture teeth. Smaller bones or bone chips can lodge in the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestinal tract, causing an obstruction or perforation of the digestive tract and thus peritonitis.
Chocolate - Oh, how some of us LOVE chocolate! But chocolate can be toxic (and even lethal) for our pets. Chocolate poisoning is caused by theobromine, a caffeine-like substance found naturally in chocolate. An 8-oz bar of milk chocolate is enough to make a 45-lb dog sick. However, dark, bittersweet, and baking chocolate have more than 9 times the amount of theobromine, making them much more toxic than plain milk chocolate.
Holiday plants - Poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe are extremely poisonous when eaten. Keep these plants out of reach of your pets.
Christmas trees - The needles from trees and wreaths can be quite irritating to the digestive tract. Ingested needles can actually perforate the intestinal tract, leading to painful peritonitis. Make sure your tree is well secured in a solid base and anchored to the wall or ceiling with a strong rope or cord. That should prevent a tree-climbing cat or large active dog from pulling the tree over on themselves (and you as well!). Preservatives in the water around the base of the tree can also cause intestinal problems, so make sure it is inaccessible. And don't let your bird sit in the Christmas tree; it can ingest tree pieces or ornaments/tinsel or become ensnared in lights and tree trimmings.
Ornaments - Sharp or breakable tree ornaments, yarns, ribbons, angel hair, and especially tinsel and string should be kept out of your pets' reach. Hang these items high on the tree and make sure your packages are securely wrapped. Be especially careful when stringing popcorn for decorations. Dogs have been known to grab the popcorn and swallow string and needle as well.
Electrical cords - Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens, puppies, and ferrets to chew. Make sure you have the cords secured and out of the way. Unplug electrical cords when not in use.
Candles - Just as young children can be attracted to bright candles, pets can get too close for comfort, singeing whiskers and paws. In their fright, they can then upset the candles, putting your family and home at risk for a fire. Those lovely scented candles (and air fresheners) and the fumes from the teflon pan you burned can be especially hazardous for birds, even causing death. Once the holidays are over, the fumes from your self-cleaning oven can be lethal for birds.
Open doors - And finally, with all your friends and family coming to visit for the holidays, be careful that your pet does not escape through an open door.

WISHING YOU AND YOURS A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!