It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But, it can also be the most dangerous time for our furry friends. With all of the wonderful holiday decor, food, and parties, there is a lot of hazards to watch out for. If your pet gets into any of the following or you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Fire/burn Hazards
- A curious pet could knock over a burning candle, causing a fire, or could stick her nose near one and burn herself.
- Prevent your pet from chewing a toy with a battery in it—punctured batteries can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus.
- Those tempting wires might look like a tasty or interesting treat to your pet, but they could deliver a potentially deadly electric shock when chewed.
Choking Hazards
- Cats love tinsel, but tinsel does not love cats. Swallowing tinsel and other stringy items, like yarn and ribbon, can lead to a bowel obstruction, vomiting, dehydration, and even death.
- Those shiny ornaments might look appetizing to your pet, but the broken pieces can damage her digestive tract.
- Give your pup a new ball that’s too big for him to swallow. Regular-size tennis balls can get lodged in the throat and block the airway.
Stress
- Give your pets a quiet, calm space away from the craziness and noise of holiday gatherings.
- Use calming pheromone products, like Adaptil (for dogs) and Feliway (for cats) to mitigate anxiety. These products are available as plug-in diffusers, collars, or sprays.
Toxic Substances
- Christmas tree water could contain fertilizers and bacteria that can cause nausea, upset stomach, or diarrhea if ingested.
- Chocolate, artificial sweeteners (like xylitol), fatty or spicy foods, alcohol, grapes, and other human foods can, at best, cause an upset stomach, and, at worst, be fatal, if pets consume them. Keep the human food on the human table, and give your pets some special animal-friendly holiday treats instead.
- If holly or mistletoe are ingested, your pet could suffer gastrointestinal upset. Mistletoe can also cause cardiovascular problems.
- Many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats.
- Human medications should be secured so pets can’t unknowingly get into them.
Questions about common holiday hazards? We’d be happy to chat with you about them! Contact Harbor View Veterinary Hospital today with any questions you may have.