It is hard to believe the holiday season is almost here. My sister, Teresa, thought it would be a good idea to warn pet owners of some of the dangers pets may face at this festive time of the year.
Gastro-intestinal issues seem to be the primary reason we see pets on emergency after big holiday get-togethers. Our pets certainly know something special is being cooked, just like we do! What could it hurt to slip your dog a yummy piece of turkey skin or playfully dangle a shiny strand of tinsel in front of your kitten to chase after? While a bit of meat probably wouldn't hurt most animals (and would really be appreciated-just look at those begging eyes!) anything that pet isn't used to, especially fatty foods like turkey skins or really spicy ones, has the potential to cause serious GI upset such as pancreatitis or gastroenteritis.
A good rule of thumb is if it isn't that great for our diet, it probably isn't for them, either. (People love to pour gravy over their dog's food...it is so yummy and of course the dog loves it, but if he or she isn't used to that kind of fat content, it can be a real problem.) Turkey and chicken bones, even really large ones, splinter quite easily so are very bad for our pets to chew on. They can cause impactions in the intestines as well as perforations, (punctures) resulting in peritonitis, a possibly deadly infection in the abdomen. Speaking of chewing, make sure those extra extension cords and packages of batteries aren't accessible to curious puppies.
Some foods like chocolate, coffee, onions, grapes and raisins, can actually be toxic to animals. A relatively new source of food toxicity (and isn't necessarily a "holiday" danger) is food artificially sweetened with xylitol. Sugar-free gums are a common culprit and have actually caused the death of numerous pets. There are some plants like mistletoe, holly and amaryllis which are toxic so keep them well away from your pets. The poinsetta has long been considered toxic to pets but really would only cause a bit of an upset stomach (if anything) so don't worry about that plant.
Your animal may become poisoned in spite of your best efforts to prevent it. You should keep telephone numbers for your veterinarian, a local emergency veterinary service, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-4 ANI-HELP) in a convenient location. If you suspect that your pet has ingested something poisonous, seek medical attention immediately. Now how about playing with that tinsel and your kitten? Cats LOVE to chase strings, ribbons, yarn (as I know from trying to knit or crochet with the "help" of my cats Spartacus and Stella!) and all things dangle-y, and many like to chew on them as well. This can be very dangerous as linear foreign bodies (ingested string-like objects) can cause intestinal blockages or bunching and may require surgery to remove. The whole Christmas tree can be a hazard for pets, so make sure it is mounted in a very secure stand to avoid being knocked over by climbing cats or curious dogs. Broken glass ornaments can cut delicate foot pads. The water in the base of the tree sometimes has chemicals for tree preservation or sap which is toxic or irritating to the gi system. Don't be too surprised if a pet becomes "unhousebroken" and urine marks the tree; why else would humans bring trees into the house????
It is never too early to get your house "critter-proofed" for the holidays. I hope we all have a safe and very happy season.
Peace,
DrReneigh
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