It is never too late to inspect your home and yard to repair or remove hazardous items. Sometimes we take for granted apparently innocuous decorations, plants, and structures. Young puppies and kittens often weigh between 2-10 lbs, are strongly curious, and display little fear. These attributes contribute to the little ones getting into things they shouldn't. The greatest concerns as the holidays approach are ingestion of toxins, choking, electrocution, and burns. I have treated pets for exposure to rat poison, anti-freeze, coffee, chewing gum containing the artificial sweetener xylitol, hypothermia from falling into a cold pool, prescription overdosages, glass ornament and string ingestion, and consumption of an entire pan of turkey grease.

            Due to their small size, puppies and kittens are prone to overdosage of pet medications and can easily consume toxic doses of human medications. Make sure to keep medicine, whether prescription or over-the-counter, in its original labeled container put up and away from pets. Similarly pesticides, chemicals, foods, and decorative plants can be toxic. Rat poisons are flavored to attract rodents. Curious pets are also attracted, and will chew the box apart to consume all they can get their paws on. Anti-freeze is also sweet-tasting and attractive to pets. Even small leaks from vehicles can be lethal when pets lap it up. Pet owners are fond of sharing snacks with their four-legged crumb hounds. Be careful, foods safe for people aren't always safe for pets. Raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate, macadamia nuts, and gum should be kept away from pets.  Ornamental plants, such as oleander, azalea, mistletoe, sago palm, yew, and foxglove are toxic if ingested. A comprehensive list of harmful plants and household items can be found at the Animal Poison Control Center: http://www.napcc.aspca.org.

            Additionally, as we bring out and put up holiday displays, think about where you place electrical cords, tinsel, garland, strings, ornaments, candles, treats, and batteries. Your pets need your home to be a safe haven. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.