HOLIDAY HAZARDS

It’s here again, that time of year, the fast approaching holiday season. November brings Thanksgiving, and, of course, Christmas in December. Then New Year’s will be right around the corner. The season brings lots of fun, shopping, cooking, and get-togethers. Friends and Family will be visiting. It’s a busy time of year. But holidays can create special dangers for your family pets. Each year thousands of our furry loved ones are seriously injured or become deathly ill during this fast paced time of year. We can easily become distracted by holiday activities and put our pets on “the back burner”. Not a great idea! Mischievous pets can get into all sorts of trouble when normal routines are disrupted. For instance, Thanksgiving dinner will, of course, include turkey and all the trimmings. But remember, any poultry bones are very dangerous due to splintering that can cause internal damage. Table scraps given to your begging pooch by too many dinner guests can cause severe stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Watch those tempting hot containers or plates of food left on the coffee table or too close to the edge of the kitchen counter. Full trash cans left unattended can easily tip, getting your best pal into serious trouble that could cause a costly visit to your vet.

The Christmas season brings food, food, and more food. It seems the house is always full of tasty temptations. Be aware of dishes containing raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate, or macadamia nuts. They are all very toxic to your pet. Also be aware that baking chocolate has nine times the toxic effects as regular chocolate.

Decorations are especially dangerous to your playful kitty. Choking can occur when tinsel, ribbons, bows, bubbling lights, angel hair, artificial snow, or broken ornaments become tempting toys. Hey! No chewing on electrical cords, Pal!

Toxic plants include poinsettias and holly, also juniper, cedar, pine and fir are not good chew toys. What Christmas would be complete without mistletoe? But be careful, the berries and leaves are highly toxic if ingested by your pet. A helpful phone number to keep on hand is the Poison Control Hot Line 1-888-426-4435.

Please pay attention to lit candles as well. Also, Christmas tree water is not a healthy thirst quencher.

The loud noises of fireworks cause many pets to bolt and get lost, possibly to get hit by a car or end up in a local shelter. Not a great start to a “happy” New Year! Think ahead - secure your pet before all the celebrating starts.

If you are travelling during the holidays, it’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure that your pet is welcome at all of your stops. A pet carrier is a must. Often your pet is safest and most comfortable at home, of course, with a reliable pet sitter.