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Avoiding
Holiday Hazards
A
group of your friends and family, some festive decorations, and delicious food
sounds like a recipe for a great time, but can turn out to be a recipe for disaster
for your pet. Whether you are celebrating the holidays at home or away, many of
the same hazards threaten the safety of your pet. By following some basic preventative
steps, you and your family can spend your holiday time relaxing together instead
of searching for an emergency veterinarian's office in the middle of the night.
New places to
climb, shiny objects to bat at, strings to chase and chew… to little Fluffy, your
Christmas tree looks less like a tree and more like an amusement park. In order
to make your tree safe, first, anchor your tree securely to the ceiling using
a strong cord. Be sure the base of the tree is appropriate for the height and
weight of your tree and does not topple easily. With kitties in the house, it's
best not to use tinsel at all; but if you must, place it high on the tree out
of your cat's reach. When eaten, tinsel can cause a potentially deadly intestinal
obstruction. Also be wary of ornament hooks, ribbons, and sharp or breakable ornaments.
Although it may help extend the life of your tree, shy away from using any preservatives
in the water, including sugar and aspirin, as they may cause gastric upset in
your pet. Also keep in mind that Pine sap mixed with water can become a poisonous
drink for animals. In order to avoid shocks and burns, be sure to tape down all
electrical cords and unplug them before leaving home. Keep tabs on all indoor
light strings to be sure they are not hanging so low that a pet could easily become
entangled.
You
might enjoy a visit from Grandma, Aunt Jane and her three children, several of
your long lost second cousins, and your in-laws; however, Fido might become very
anxious around so many new people. Provide your pet with a safe, quiet place to
retreat to during holiday parties. Also, be sure to keep their identification
tags on them in case your pooch decides to slip out during all the commotion.
Deck
the halls with boughs of holly, but be sure to remove all the berries. Most common
holiday plants such as mistletoe and holly berries can be poisonous to pets. Although
not actually poisonous, pine needles can puncture holes in a pet's intestines.
Poinsettias are lovely to look at, but the milky white sap and leaves can cause
severe gastric distress for your pet. Also, with so many new hybrids available
each year, the safest bet is to keep poinsettias out of your pets reach.
Of
course, candles should never be left unattended, but they should also be placed
far away from curious little paws. A happily wagging tail could prove disastrous
near the open flame and hot wax of a candle. Always anchor candles securely and
place safely out of your pet's reach.
Everyone
wants to enjoy the holiday feast, and pet parents usually do not want to leave
their four legged friends out of the celebration. Too many high-fat foods such
as turkey skin can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and even pancreatitis,
a sometimes fatal inflammation of the pancreas. Another holiday favorite, chocolate
contains the heart stimulant theobromine, and in small quantities can be toxic
to both dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea,
hyperactivity, seizures, rapid and irregular heartbeats, muscle tremors, comas
and, in large quantities, even death. Remember to take all wrapped gifts that
contain food out from under the tree and out of your pet's reach. If your doggie
needs a bone to chew on, purchase one made specifically for dogs and not one from
off the holiday table. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach,
and intestinal tract of your pet. So come on, throw a dog a bone!
