Ahhh, the Holiday season. The season of good will, joy, and peace for the entire world; and many hazards for our pets. Keeping our pets safe during the holidays takes a bit of forethought and common sense. Some of the most common hazards for our furry friends are food, candy, poisoning, weather and the beloved Christmas tree. Even a change in routine or new family or guests can make our pets nervous. The following are a few tips that can keep everyone in the household happy and safe over the Yule tide season.
Food: Remember that food can be the number one holiday hazard for dogs. The greasy and fatty foods that we eat can cause severe intestinal problems for our animals. Poultry skin, fat trimmings, rich gravies, and buttery sauces can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, or possibly a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Kindly tell your guests and children not feed your animals from the dinner table and dispose of your trash as quickly as possible. Keep alcohol away from pets as well, one ounce of an alcoholic beverage can put a small dog into a coma.
Candy: Store your chocolate candy and baking ingredients out of reach. Chocolate is one of the most common toxicity treats during the holidays. Small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea, but large amounts can cause abnormal heart rhythms, nervous system malfunctions, and in some cases, death. Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid similar to caffeine, that can cause nerve damage and death. Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine, so if your dog eats a Hershey bar or chocolate cake, he may or may not be affected, but a dish of dark chocolate candies could kill him. Popcorn and gumdrops can cause stomach upset as well, so try to avoid using these strings of edible decorations. Any candy or sweets that are not made specifically for animals should not be left out or easily accessible to our pets.
Burns: Make sure cords are tucked away and out of reach and preferably covered by a chew-proof guard. Puppies and kittens will chew on anything and electrocution can occur. Electric shock from a cord may not always kill a pet, but can certainly burn the face, mouth, or tongue. Display candles on high shelves and non accessible furniture to avoid painful burns and singed whiskers. Make sure you include your pets in any fire/disaster safety program you have in place in your home. There are available window decals that alert fireman and other emergency personnel that you have animals in your home in case you are not able to locate your pet or help your pet escape in an emergency situation.
Christmas Trees and Gifts: Make sure your tree is anchored securely to avoid being knocked over by children or pets. Fasten all of your tree decorations securely, with the more fragile ones toward the top of the tree. Your dog might have a very hard time differentiating a glass ball from his play ball. Keeping these out of their reach will help avoid cuts to their face and mouth and ingestion of glass which may have to be surgically removed. Make sure that any gifts that contain food are out of the reach of your pets; they will smell it and tear it open! Return all gift wrapping materials to their proper storage places after use. Cats especially like to chew on ribbons and bows and this can cause a serious situation if they swallow it and the ribbon becomes an obstruction that may need to be surgically removed.
Poisoning: Place holiday plants out of reach and vacuum often around plants and Christmas trees. Poinsettias are the most commonly known poisonous plant during the holidays, and can cause drooling, mouth pain and vomiting. Surprisingly, mistletoe is very poisonous and causes vomiting, labored breathing, shock and even death from cardiovascular collapse. Christmas tree needles from real or fake trees can cause intestinal blockages. Make sure to buy only non-toxic decorating products (sprays and artificial snow) and tree water preservatives.
Weather: Make sure to bring your pets in when the temperature drops to 30 degrees, including the wind chill. Dogs and cats can get frostbitten ears, nose and feet if left outdoors. Be wary of chemicals used to melt snow and ice on the pavement. These chemicals can irritate paws and Halite, a chemical salt that melts ice, is poisonous if ingested. If your pet must walk on treated sidewalks, wipe their feet with a baby wipe or damp cloth upon returning home. Anti-freeze is a definite hazard. Highly toxic, it has a sweet taste that appeals to animals and can be deadly in doses as small as a teaspoon for a large dog. Spilled or leaking anti-freeze should be cleaned immediately and thoroughly to avoid animals access to even the smallest puddle.
Parties: Parties and out-of-town family and guests are a holiday hazard for our pets that we don’t always acknowledge. Too much excitement or stress can cause uncontrolled soiling and possible stomach upset for our smaller family members. Anticipating your guest’s arrival and confining your pet can prevent it from escaping and possibly getting into trouble or getting too stressed-out. Once the initial excitement of the arrival of everyone is over, you can slowly introduce your pet individually to each family member or party-goer. Additionally, a crate is a wonderful tool that allows your pet a safe haven to hide when things get too loud or active. The best way to reduce you pet’s stress is maintaining a regular feeding and exercise routine even in the hustle and bustle of the season.
Our pets are a blessed part of what makes our holiday season bright, and with a small amount of due-diligence, we can ensure everyone in our family a safe, happy and joyful holiday. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season from our family at MurphyRoadAnimalHospital!
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