Holiday Hazards
The holidays are a joyous time for everyone, and your pets want to get involved in the fun too! Pets love to receive presents, just like people, and the excitement of the holiday season can be contagious. However, the holidays are ripe with hidden hazards. Burning candles, Christmas trees, and chocolates are all potentially harmful to your pets. If your pet gets injured it will cause unnecessary stress and heartache during this happy time. By being aware of these potential hazards and eliminating them, you can avoid the potential consequences and enjoy the full holiday season.
Chocolate contains a toxic substance, theobromide, that is potentially fatal to dogs and cats. Smaller pets can have a fatal reaction after ingesting only a few ounces of unsweetened baking chocolate. Milk chocolate is not quite as poisonous because it does not contain as much theobromide, but it is never recommended to feed chocolates to your dog or cat! Be sure not to leave any sort of chocolate out where your pet has access to it. This can be a very dangerous situation because your dog or cat may have ingested a toxic amount of chocolate while you were gone; however, you will not know it until he starts showing signs of toxicity. These signs may include vomiting, diarrhea, a fast heart rate, rapid breathing, seizures and coma. If you see your pet ingesting chocolate, take note of the type and amount and call your veterinarian right away.
During the holiday season, many people burn candles, whether in a Hanukah menorah, Christmas candles, or a Kwanzaa celebration. Do not leave burning candles unattended. Pets, cats especially, may be interested in the burning candle and can singe and burn their whiskers or face if they get to close to the flame. If your pet knocks over burning candles with a wagging tail or paw it can lead to a real disaster. Just be sure that the candles are safely out of your pet's reach and you will not have to worry!
Many people set up Christmas trees during the holiday season. Your pets will be very interested in the tree, but many problems can occur if they decide to investigate too closely. It is recommended to try to prevent your pets from having easy access to the tree. You may be able to use a baby gate to block access to the room where the tree is set up. Tinsel can be very hazardous to your pets. If they try to eat it, the sharp edges can cut their mouths and it can get caught in their digestive system, leading to an intestinal blockage. This may require abdominal surgery. The needles of the tree (both real and artificial) are also dangerous because they are indigestible. This can lead to abdominal upset and again potential intestinal blockage. The small metal hooks used to hang ornaments can also be quite dangerous if swallowed. Keep all ornaments (especially breakable ones) well out of reach of prying paws and mouths. Be sure that all electrical cords and strings of lights are kept out of reach. Chewing on electrical cords can cause shock and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) which will require veterinary attention. The lights can be extremely hot and may burn your pet's mouth or tongue. Many cats enjoy climbing on the Christmas tree. If this is the case in your house, be sure to secure the tree so it will not be knocked over!
Some of the decorative holiday plants that people chose to display in their homes during this time may be toxic to pets. Holly and mistletoe are probably the most common ones that will cause severe problems. Ingestion of these plants can lead to severe vomiting and diarrhea. Numerous other plants, including poinsettias, may cause irritation of the mouth, gums and intestinal track. If you chose to display these plants in your home, keep them out of reach of your pets.
During the holiday season, we often enjoy lavish meals and we don't want our pets to miss out. Feeding your pets rich, fatty table scraps that they are not used to can lead to severe intestinal problems and abdominal upset. In fact, fatty foods are a common cause of pancreatitis, a very painful disorder that can affect both dogs and cats. Even though your dog may love to chew that turkey bone at the end of the meal, it can be a very dangerous proposition. Small pieces of the bone may splinter off and perforate an intestine, or cause intestinal blockage. If you really want your pet to enjoy a holiday meal, fix him a bowl of his favorite dog or cat treats along with his regular food.
The holidays are a wonderful time for people and pets alike. Just be sure to leave all of the potential hazards out of reach of your pets and you should have no problems. Well, except of course, what to buy for them!