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Winter Holiday Hazards For Our Pets Here are some tips for keeping your pets out of danger during the holiday season. Holiday Food Items That Could Cause Problems For Your Pet Alcoholic beverages Chocolate Coffee Moldy or spoiled foods Onions, onion powder, and garlic Fatty foods Salt Yeast dough Macadamia Nuts Nicotine Grapes & Raisins Avocado PLANTS Lilies that may be found in holiday flower arrangements could be deadly to your cat. Many types of lily, such as Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, and the Casa Blanca, can cause kidney failure in cats. Poinsettias are generally over-rated in toxicity. If ingested, poinsettias can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, and may cause mild vomiting or nausea. Mistletoe has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems. However, mistletoe ingestion usually only causes gastrointestinal upset. Both the leaves and barriers cause problems. Holly ingestion could cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy. HAZARDS AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which can also lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, if ingested. You can use aluminum foil or an old e-collar around the tree’s water base to keep the pets out. Electric cords- Avoid animal exposure to electric cords. If they were chewed, they could electrocute your pet. Cover up or hide electric cords, never let your pet chew on them. You can run electrical cords through PVC pipes to prevent chewing. Ribbons or tinsel can get caught up in the intestines and cause intestinal blockage. Batteries contain corrosives. If ingested they can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. Glass ornaments can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if ingested. OTHER WINTER HAZARDS Antifreeze has a pleasant taste to both pets and kids. Unfortunately, very small amounts can be lethal. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 10-pound dog. Thoroughly clean up any spills, store antifreeze in tightly closed containers and store in secured cabinets. Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. Propylene glycol is a safer form of antifreeze. Low Tox™ brand antifreeze contains propylene glycol and is recommended to use in pet households. Liquid potpourris are popular household fragrances commonly used during the holiday season. Pets are often exposed to liquid potpourri by direct ingestion from simmer pots or spills, or by rubbing against leaky bottles or simmer pots containing the potpourri, or from spilling the containers upon themselves. Exposure of pets to some types of liquid potpourris can result in severe mouth, skin and eye damage. Ice melting products can be irritating to the skin and mouth. Depending on the actual ingredient of the ice melt and the quantity, signs of ingestion would include excessive drooling, depression, vomiting or even electrolyte imbalances. |
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