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Holiday Hazards

Holiday Hazards


               Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas preparations are underway. Patton Veterinary Hospital wants you and your pets to enjoy the season.  Here are some tips for keeping pets safe while decorating and celebrating.

  •  Ribbon, tinsel and twine can pose hazards for pets if they decide to ingest them.  String can damage the intestines if swallowed.  Cats are especially attracted to these items, but dogs, birds or ferrets could be intrigued as well.  Keep ribbons and tinsel out of reach and consider alternatives to tinsel on the tree, especially if you have cats!
  • Glass ornaments look lovely on the tree, but could be problematic if they fall off and break.  Sharp glass could become embedded in paws or noses or be ingested.  Secure trees so they cannot be knocked over by curious cats or playful pooches, block access to your tree and consider using unbreakable ornaments such as plastic or wood. 
  • Holiday foods such as chocolate, alcohol and rich table foods can wreak havoc on your pet’s digestive system and are often toxic.  To avoid problems like vomiting, diarrhea and more serious issues like pancreatitis don’t share holiday goodies with your pets and never, ever let pets have alcohol. 
  • Holiday greenery in the form of mistletoe, holly and poinsettias bring beauty to our homes, but could be toxic to our pets if the leaves are ingested. The toxicity of poinsettias has long been exaggerated, but they are really only a minor problem.  Don’t allow pets to eat them as they can cause vomiting and diarrhea, but they are not deadly so don’t panic if your pet accidentally eats a leaf or two.  Holly and mistletoe are a different story, so don’t let your pets partake of these two plants if you are using real greens for the holidays.  Mistletoe can cause vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing and weakness. Saponins in holly cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and decreased activity.

Enjoy the holiday season with your fur babies, but be mindful of these potential holiday hazards this winter. Stay safe and warm!

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

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