Holidays for Pets

The holidays are exciting and hectic times for the entire family, pets

included. While your family pets will enjoy being included in the festivities, they may also encounter situations that can be hazardous. Each year, thousands of pets are taken to animal hospitals for treatment of holiday related injuries or illnesses.

Some of the more common holiday hazards include:

Bones: Turkey or ham will leave a lot of tantalizing bones – DO NOT FEED THEM TO YOUR PETS! Small bones and bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach, and intestinal tract.

Fat: Food with high fat content, such as gravies and poultry skin, can cause severe stomach upset. You don’t do your pet any favors by sharing the holiday food.

Sweets: Too much candy can lead to stomach upset, and CHOCOLATE CAN BE FATAL! Keep holiday sweets out of reach of your pets.

Plants: Holly and mistletoe are poisonous when eaten, and the sap and leaves poinsettias cause severe stomach upset. Keep plants out of reach of pets.

Holiday trees: Anchor your tree securely: a tree climing cat or a big dog with a wagging tail could topple a tree. Preservatives in the tree water can cause intestinal problems, especially if you add sugar or aspirin to the water, so make sure the base of water is inaccessible to pets.

Ornaments: Sharp or breakable ornaments, small dreidels, tinsel, and ribbon can injure your pets. Safeguard them at all costs.

Stress and Strangers: With visitors coming and going, keep an eye out for open doors. Make sure your pets have identification in case they slip out. Provide a quiet, special place for your pets to retreat to when festivities become overwhelming.