Holiday Dangers to Pets

Christmas is a time for gathering with family and friends. But the holidays can also create special dangers for your pets. Each year during the holiday season, thousands of pets are seriously injured and/or become deathly ill. It's a busy time ... a time of much planning, shopping, cooking and baking, rushing to and from parties and get-togethers with relatives and friends. Oftentimes we forget about our little four-legged members of the family during the rush and festivities. They are curious and anxious as we, their caretakers are and there are many hazards waiting for their

curiosity:

Candlelight

Pets are attracted to the bright lights of candles in a darkened room. An excited wagging tail can easily knock candles over, causing serious burns to your pet and can turn into a fire hazard if spilled on to furniture or carpet. Always supervise lit candles and keep in high places out of your pets' reach.

Electrical Cords

Cover or tack down electrical cords. Pets like to chew on these, so inspect cords often and try not to allow your pet into areas in the house where there are electrical cords at their level.

Tinsel

Don't use tinsel! Although tinsel itself is not toxic, if ingested, intestinal obstruction and choking are potential problems (it isn't pretty, and requires surgery to remove). It's just too tempting to pets so don't put it on your tree.

 Toxic Plants

A number of Christmas season plants are poisonous to pets if eaten: ivy, holly (berries and leaves), mistletoe, balsam, juniper, cedar, pine and fir tree needles, and poinsettias. All of these can cause stomach upset, at the very least and possibly vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Keep these plants out of your pets' and children's reach.

Chocolate & Treats

Small amounts of the theobromine in chocolate can prove toxic to pets, and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and even death. Keep chocolate wrapped and stored out of your pets' reach. Fatty foods and sugary confections can rapidly become toxic to an animal unaccustomed to them. At parties, be careful not to leave beverages containing alcohol in them at a level where pets can easily drink from them.

Ornaments & Decorations

Breakable tree ornaments placed low enough to be batted off the tree and broken, can cause cuts to paw pads or become imbedded in the pad and infected. Place these ornaments high up on the tree or don't use them at all. Decorations should be carefully placed so that pets can't pull or scratch off any small pieces to swallow and choke on.

Antifreeze

Cats and dogs love the sweet taste of antifreeze and even a tablespoon can prove fatal. While you may be using non-toxic antifreeze, you don't know what your guests may use in their cars. Be careful as many animals are lost each year because of the lure of antifreeze.

Bones

BONES ARE DANGEROUS! Please don't feed your pets bones, especially poultry (turkey) bones. Poultry bones splinter easily - each year thousands of pets are treated for consumption of splintered bones, causing pain and even death.

Cold Weather

Winter weather can be hazardous for pets. Make sure pets are dry, protected from the elements and in a safe environment. A fur coat is not enough to protect house pets from frostbite or hypothermia. The salt used to melt ice on the roads can burn a pet’s paws and is poisonous to them if ingested. Be sure to wipe paws and noses with a damp cloth when returning indoors from a winter walk on salted streets or consider purchasing neoprene booties that will protect your pet’s paws from snow and ice and keep them dry.

Stress

Increased activity and visitors during the holiday season can upset your pet’s routine. Try to keep your pet on their regular schedule for feeding and exercise and be sure they get plenty of love.