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Winter Holiday Pet Hazards
Mistletoe |
Food scraps |
Holly |
Ribbons |
Decorative
lights |
Poinsettias |
Small toys
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Ornaments
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Chocolate |
Pets will investigate new items by sniffing, tossing, chasing
and finally by having a taste. Holiday season adornments are attractive to all
creatures. The ornaments, foods, gifts, wrapping, ribbons, lights and plants
are all curiosities for pets. A few precautions will help you avoid the holiday
crowds at our hospital.
PLANTS
- Several decorative plants are poisonous.
- Mistletoe and holly can cause stomach upset with vomiting
and diarrhea. The berries of these plants are attractive, easily swallowed, and
potentially fatal if consumed.
- Poinsettias, like the leaves of most any plant, can also
cause stomach upset.
- Christmas Trees should be secured so that pets cannot pull
them over. Omit preservative from the tree stand water. Don't spray snow on the
tree unless it is labeled for pet consumption.
 
FOOD ITEMS
- Chocolate is poisonous to cats, dogs and birds.
- Bones can get stuck in the mouth or perforate the intestinal
tract.
- Scraps from holiday meals can cause gastrointestinal upset
and even predispose pets to life-threatening pancreatitis.
 
ORNAMENTS AND TOYS
- Ribbons, icicles and strings can damage the intestines and
are potentially fatal if consumed.
- Holiday lights and electrical wires can cause shock or burns
when chewed on.
 
TOYS
- Cats enjoy lightweight toys they can bat around. Be sure
they are at least 1 inch in diameter without bells, buttons, strings, yarn or
squeaky parts that can be detatched and swallowed.
- Dogs enjoy balls, chew toys and things they can carry
around. Beware that some dogs treat a stuffed toy like a friend while others
tear them apart. Stuffing from stuffed toys can cause intestinal blockage and
irritation. Small balls can cause choking problems along with intestinal
blockage.
If your pet gets sick, call us before giving any medications.
Many over the counter drugs, such as Tylenol, are toxic to animals.
We wish all of our patients and clients a safe and wonderful
holiday season!
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