Pet Proof Your Holiday

The holidays are in full swing, your tree is decorated, the holiday baking has begun and you are planning for the big feast. It is important to remember during this festive time that there are many decorative items, plants and foods that may be harmful for your pets. To help you pet proof your holiday home, here are a list of items compiled from the ASPCA, pet poison helpline and the humane society to help pet proof your holiday:

Time to trim the tree:

Your kitten loves the sparkly new toy you have hanging all over the tree. She is having a ball batting at the tinsel. Although it is not poisonous, tinsel, can cause damage to the cat’s intestinal track if swallowed, causing vomiting or even possible surgery.

Speaking of trees…

Make sure your tree, whether real or artificial, is securely anchored. You don’t want your excited dog knocking the tree over on himself. If your dog or cat drinks the stagnant tree water they may experience nausea or diarrhea due to bacteria that may be present in the water. If your pet is a chewer be sure your tree lights are out of reach, you do not want Fido chewing through a live wire!

The scent of the season…

Do you use heated oils or liquid potpourri to scent your home? Who doesn’t enjoy the scent of cinnamon or pine for the holidays? Your cat or dog may like it too, so much that they lick the burning liquid which not only will cause chemical burns but could be toxic as well. 

Ribbons, bows and toys oh my…

Dogs love chew toys but is it safe to give them stuffed animals or children’s toys in place of toys made specifically for dogs? Most dogs will end up ripping up a stuffed animal which can lead to him swallowing the pieces causing all kinds of trouble for your puppy.  While your cat may enjoy playing with ribbons and yarn, like tinsel, there is a risk of these items getting stuck in their intestines if swallowed.

Pretty but poisonous plants…

Poinsettia are not as toxic as most people think. They are only mildly toxic but still can cause stomach upset in animals and children. The leaves contain sap that is irritating to the mouth and most pets will not continue to eat once they experience the terrible taste and feel of the sap. Lilies of any kind, holly and mistletoe are far more dangerous. According to Dr. Ahna Brutleg, assistant director of Pet Poison Helpline, “The ingestion of one to two leaves or flower petals (from lilies) is enough to cause sudden kidney failure in cats.” If eaten, Holly can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Same is true for Mistletoe which can also cause cardiovascular problems. Additional problems may also arise if the plants have been treated with pesticides.

Food for thought…

You probably already know that feeding your pets anything with chocolate or xylitol is a no-no but there are many other foods that may cause problems for your pet’s tummy ranging from mild stomach upset to possible death. Many of these items are also harmful to your farm pets including horses and goats. To keep guest from feeding your pet table scraps you may want to consider removing him (your pet not your guest) from the room during mealtime.

Here is a list of foods you should not feed your pets:

• ·        Alcoholic beverages
• ·        Apple seeds
• ·        Apricot pits
• ·        Avocados
• ·        Cherry pits
• ·        Candy (especially chocolate and the sweetener xylitol)
• ·        Coffee (grounds and beans)
• ·        Garlic (the small amount in natural pet food will not harm your pet)
• ·        Grapes
• ·        Gum
• ·        Hops
• ·        Macadamia nuts
• ·        Moldy food
• ·        Mushroom plants
• ·        Mustard seeds
• ·        Onions/onion powder
• ·        Peach pits
• ·        Potato leaves and stems
• ·        Raisins
• ·        Rhubarb leaves
• ·        Salt
• ·        Tea (caffeine)
• ·        Tomato leaves and stems
• ·        Walnuts
• ·        Xylitol
• ·        Yeast dough

Keep Calm and Holiday On...

If you have a skittish pet be sure to give her a room of her own away from the holiday festivities and noise. Make sure her retreat has fresh water, food and a comfy place to snuggle and hide. When it comes to your pet the best thing you can do is to become educated on common toxic household items. If you think your pet may have been poisoned contact your vet as soon as possible.

For more information visit:

http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com

http://aspca.org

http://www.humanesociety.org