Be Cautious This Holiday Season: Potential Holiday Hazards for Pets

Holiday Hazards 2016:  A Musical Reminder

                Christmas is fast approaching and I don’t know about you but I am NOT ready yet!  Anyway, the holidays will be over before we know it, but there are a few weeks of celebration and decoration left so, it’s time once again to mention some things that could be harmful to your pets this holiday.  I know, I know, we read these every year, but, it never hurts to repeat helpful information, so, here are some music-themed reminders of things to avoid so you can keep your pets safe and healthy this Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year!

                O Christmas Tree:  Lots of potential hazards here.  Don’t use tinsel if you have cats—many will try to eat it and it can get stuck in their intestines causing serious problems.  Watch out for strings of lights as well—cats or dogs who chew on the light strands or electrical cords could get electrical burns or suffer from electrical shock.  Keep ornaments pet-friendly as well--glass ornaments may get broken and can cause cut paws or lacerations in the mouth and GI tract if ingested.  Finally, make sure your tree is secured somehow or is sturdy enough that it won’t topple over if your cat decides to try out her climbing skills or your dogs decide to roughhouse beneath the tannenbaum.  Make sure to keep pets out of the tree water if you have a live tree, especially if it is treated to extend the life of your tree.  And finally, make sure pets don’t eat ribbons or paper on packages under the tree. 

                Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire:  Open flames from candles, menorahs or fireplaces and woodstoves can cause serious burns or, even worse, start a fire in your home.  Pets and fire don’t mix!  Never leave pets unsupervised around burning candles or lit fireplaces.  Be cautious with liquid potpourri or wax melt warmers, too.  We don’t want to any burned paws or singed whiskers this holiday!

                Oh, by Gosh by Golly, It’s Time for Mistletoe and Holly:  While I’ve always liked this song, mistletoe and holly are definite no-nos for pets.  Both can be toxic causing vomiting, diarrhea and potentially heart arrhythmias in both dogs and cats.  Pine needles, poinsettias and Christmas cactus are not deadly, but might make your pets sick with stomach upset, so try to prevent pets from eating these as well. 

                I Sure Do Like Those Christmas Cookies, Sugar:  Another cute song by George Strait but keep pets out of Christmas sweets—chocolate, cookies, and other holiday foods can cause vomiting, diarrhea and more serious problems like pancreatitis.  Raisins in cookies or trying the Spanish tradition of fitting twelve grapes in your mouth on New Year’s Eve for luck could cause kidney failure in dogs if you share with your favorite pooch.  Bones from turkey and ham should NEVER be given to dogs or cats.  Bones can break teeth, cause a bowel obstruction or just lead to some nasty vomiting and diarrhea that I guarantee you do NOT want to be cleaning up at 3 AM the day after Christmas!  Limit or avoid feeding table food to pets this holiday season. 

                Who Spiked the Eggnog?:  So, it should be a no-brainer, but don’t share ANY alcoholic beverages with your pets!  Alcohol poisoning and liver damage can be the result of pets sampling mulled wine, rum-infused eggnog or whatever your favorite mug of Christmas cheer contains.  Keep those drinks away from your four-legged family members!

I hope this was a fun reminder and Patton Veterinary Hospital wishes you and your pets a safe and healthy holiday season!

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