Holiday Season Safety Tips for Your Pet
December 2nd, 2009 Posted in Uncategorized
This is the time of year that many people get together. With all of the delicious smells and exciting new people, Fido may beg for treats and Fluffy may snack from an unattended plate. It is tempting to share with our pets, but there are a few foods that should be avoided. These foods include:
Excessively salty foods.
Sweets and chocolate.
Foods with onion or onion powder.
Fatty foods.
Grapes and raisins.
Poultry bones.
Alcohol or eggnog.
Chocolate is a well-known toxin for dogs. Keep in mind that baking chocolate and the semi-sweet varieties are much more dangerous than milk chocolate because they contain more of the ingredient that makes pets sick. Chocolate toxicity can result in heart problems, vomiting, convulsions and even death. Luckily for one of my patients, Taz, his owners knew the hazards of chocolate ingestion. His “Mommy” called as soon as she realized he had taken three truffles used to decorate presents. She had only turned her back for a moment when he gobbled them down. Taz even ate the foil! The lethal dose for him would have been six truffles; eating three meant he was at high risk of getting very sick. Taz was given emergency treatment before he was showing any signs, so all turned out well. Please don’t wait until it is too late if your dog or cat eats chocolate. It’s better not to take a chance; phone your vet right away. Better yet, avoid having to make that call by keeping treats away from your pets.
Candies, gum and foods that are artificially sweetened with the ingredient xylitol can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar of dogs and maybe even liver failure. Watch out for these ones!
Pets should never be given an alcoholic beverage. It’s not funny to see a drunken animal, and it’s potentially dangerous, too. Talk to your friends about this at the beginning of your party.
Plants make great seasonal decorations. There are several, however, that are poisonous to animals. Almost any member of the lily family can be deadly to cats. Other holiday foliage, such as mistletoe and holly, can cause severe stomach upset. Interestingly, poinsettias are actually over-rated with respect to toxicity. Most pets that nibble on a poinsettia leaf only get mild irritation of the mouth and/or stomach. I do recommend you keep these out of reach anyway.
Artificial decorations can also be hazardous. To a cat, a ribbon or strand of tinsel can be too much of a temptation. They can be swallowed, with resulting irritation to the stomach and intestines, or worse yet, obstruction. Electric cords can cause electrocution or severe burns if chewed upon. Many glass ornaments or lights can be easily broken and can cut your pet’s feet or mouth.
Beyond the dangers indoors, the outdoor world may be just as bad. One of the most common poisonings of pets during the winter months is car anti-freeze. Its sweet taste masks a deadly poison that can kill with very small amounts. If you even suspect that your pet has consumed antifreeze, you need to immediately contact your veterinarian or the Veterinary Emergency Clinic at 519-650-1617.
Pets can suffer the effects of frostbite and hypothermia just as easily as their owners. Household pets should stay indoors in very cold temperatures. But if Rambo must stay outdoors, be sure to provide him shelter from the wind, snow and rain. As for dog houses, bigger is not better. A small dog house will help trap body heat more effectively than a large one. Use heated water bowls and replenish several times a day.
Knowing your pet’s limitations will be very important during these months. An older dog may not be as sure-footed on the ice and young puppies may not have enough body fat to keep them warm for extended periods in the snow. Short-haired dogs will feel the cold more than long-haired dogs. Monitor your pets when they go out for exercise or for their “bathroom breaks.”
During the holidays, the added excitement and presence of strangers in the house may be too much for some excitable pets. Find a quiet room for Fluffy or Fido to escape from it all, if necessary.
Wintertime can be glorious and full of family fun. It does not have to involve a visit to the animal emergency clinic if a few simple precautions are taken. Talk to your family veterinarian about a winter “check-up” for your pet and to get more information on avoiding winter’s hazards.
