The Holiday Season

We all know that the holiday season can be as chaotic as it is joyous, and we can’t forget to include our pets in that mayhem. From foods, to plants, to travel plans, the upcoming holidays can be a challenging time of year for our 4-legged family members.

There tends to be a lot of treats and cooking that occurs around this time, and many of our pets are quick to try to catch a bite. Be sure to keep uncooked dough, bones, fat trimmings, chocolates, and other candies out of reach. Don’t forget that foods containing raisins and macadamia nuts can be deadly. If you are unsure if what your pet just ate is toxic or not, call your veterinarian or one of the poison control numbers listed below. You may be instructed to induce vomiting or bring your pet straight to a hospital for immediate care.

Holly and mistletoe plants are poisonous when eaten. Poinsettias can cause gastric distress if chewed. While not a common flower at this time of year, it is important to remember that lilies are deadly to cats. Pine needles can be toxic and cause massive GI irritation if ingested. Pine trees themselves can also be problematic if your pets try to climb it or knock it over with their tail. Pets can also electrocute themselves or start fires if they chew the cords. Keep them away from the tree as best possible, and make sure your tree is anchored to the wall. If you have a real tree, don’t allow them to drink the water and avoid adding any sugar, soda, bleach, preservatives or aspirin to the water.  

Ornaments, tinsel, and ribbon are enticing to our pets and their curiosity can lead to ingestion. Eating these decorations can cause intestinal obstructions, which are life threatening and require surgery. Broken ornaments can also cause injuries if chewed or stepped on. Lastly, some homemade ornaments can contain toxic levels of salt and would be very dangerous if consumed.

Whether you’re traveling or having guests over, this can be a stressful time of year for pets. Be sure that they have a calm space to retreat if they prefer to be away from people and make sure that they cannot accidentally sneak out of the house in all the commotion. If you are traveling with your pets, double check that you have all their medications and medical information if needed. If your pets become particularly anxious during this time of year, plan to have the appropriate calming supplements or medications at home to help them get through it. Update their collars with your contact information in case they manage to escape and always know your closest emergency veterinarian.

Keeping these tips in mind should help your pets to enjoy a healthy, happy holiday season.

Here are some helpful resources during this time:

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/cats-plant-list
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
ASPCA Animal Poison Control 888-426-4435
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/ - Helpline 855-764-7661


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