The Holiday Season is upon us and it is important to ensure that the holidays are a happy and festive time for everyone, including your pets. Here are a few tips to help keep your pets out of trouble.
Oh, Christmas Tree Real Christmas trees can contain fertilizers in the water that may cause diarrhea and/or vomiting in pets. Tinsel can be especially dangerous for cats that love the sparkly decoration. If ingested, tinsel can lead to an obstruction of the digestive tract, vomiting, and dehydration. Consider investing in shatter-proof Christmas ornaments in case a decoration gets swatted by a paw or tail.
Holiday Plants Although a nice gift, real Christmas plants can be more of a threat to a pet owner. Holly, mistletoe, lilies, and poinsettias can cause irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and cardiovascular problems in both cats and dogs.
Table Scraps There are many hazards that come in the form of food and table scraps during the holidays. Fatty trimmings and bones can cause vomiting and diarrhea, fatty foods may lead to pancreatitis, and swallowed bones may cause stomach perforation and painful constipation. Cookies and candy that contain chocolate can cause agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate, and seizures. Macadamia nuts and walnuts can cause severe lethargy, hyperthermia, vomiting, tremors, and the inability to walk. Grapes, avocados, onions and garlic can cause lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. Artificial sweeteners found in treats can cause vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures, and liver failure. Alternatively, you can purchase treats, antlers and other chews that have a holiday flavor, such as turkey and cranberry, that can be used to safely celebrate the holidays with your furry family member.
Cheers to the Holidays Pets should never ingest any type of alcoholic beverage. There is no legal drinking age for our furry friends as they can not tolerate alcohol as a human does. Alcoholic drinks may cause vomiting, disorientation, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, seizures, and coma.
The Gift of Christmas Wrapping paper and ribbon can be a cheap toy for pets, but can also cause a choking hazard. If your pet likes to play with the gifts under the tree, consider hiding them until you are ready to open them on Christmas day. Have a safe and happy holiday season!
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