The holiday season is a time for celebration, including family, friends, food, and decorations. We want to ensure your season remains joyous by avoiding emergencies with your furry family members.
Here is what you need to remember to keep your holidays happy and safe for your pets.
Holiday Table:
Festive Food
Fatty, spicy foods, and bones should be kept away from your furry friends. If you must share some holiday favorites, try unseasoned white turkey meat (in moderation), fish, pure pumpkin, plain yams, green beans, or carrots.
Remember, moderation is key. Even these safe foods should be given in limited amounts to avoid upset stomachs or other complications.
Careful with Cocktails
Keep alcoholic beverages out of your pet’s reach. Ingesting alcohol can make them seriously ill.
Sweet Treats
We all love enjoying the season’s sweets but please keep the human holiday treats away from your pets this winter. Chocolate toxicity can be severe and can harm a pet’s gastrointestinal (GI), cardiac, and central nervous systems. The initial signs can be seen 2 – 4 hours after ingestion. Specific signs to look for include, but are not limited to: restlessness, panting, vomiting, urinary incontinence, and diarrhea. In severe cases, the ingestion of chocolate can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, tremors, seizures, comas, and even death.
Another culprit to consider is the common artificial sweetener Xylitol. Xylitol is found in many human treats and even in some types of peanut butter. When a pet gets into Xylitol, their system mistakes the artificial sweetener for true sugar. The result is a release of insulin, which functions to lower the blood sugar. This drop in blood sugar can cause your pet to become very sick.
If your pet does manage to sneak a dangerous treat, it’s crucial to act quickly. If you notice signs of distress—such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or difficulty breathing—contact your veterinarian or local emergency animal hospital immediately. In some cases, quick intervention can be life-saving.
Holiday Decor Dangers
Make sure your tree is securely anchored to avoid tipping. Tree water can contain fertilizer and other harmful chemicals, so keep it covered. Plants like ivy, holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias can also be toxic if your pet eats them. Keep them out of reach.
Cats love to play with shiny “toys”. Tinsel and strings can cause blockages, and broken ornaments can cause serious injury. Keep these hazards off the floor and out of paws’ reach. If your pet swallows any ornaments or glass, contact your vet immediately—don’t induce vomiting.
New Year’s Noise
The new year comes with a lot of loud noises, fireworks, poppers, parties, etc. Remember that these noises can startle or create anxiety for your pets. Give your pet their own quiet space to retreat to, complete with water and a place to snuggle. Make sure this space is also escape-proof, especially if there are fireworks nearby.
Enjoy this Holiday Season!
Remember, the holidays are best spent with loved ones and by following these tips, you can ensure a safe and happy holiday for both you and your furry companions.
