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Holiday Safety For Pets

November 1, 2024

Season’s Greetings! The holidays are ramping up into full swing now. This is a very special time of year. It’s important for us to take time to slow down and reconnect with our loved ones. That includes our pets! Fido and Fluffy really do make those cozy holiday scenes complete. However, you will want to take a few precautions to keep your furry friend safe. A local Clarkesville, GA veterinarian discusses pet safety in this article.

Holiday Pet Toxins

No matter what time of year it is, poison is always a major threat to your furry pal. Some things pose a threat all year round. Many household items, for instance, are toxic to pets. That list would include things like household cleaners, automotive products, pesticides, lawn/garden products, and medicines. There are also things that are mostly an issue during certain seasons. Antifreeze is one big concern. It is extremely poisonous to pets. Unfortunately. Many animals like the taste. Opt for a pet-friendly brand. It’s also best to just play it safe and mop up any spills.

Safe And Unsafe Foods

Food is another concern. We all love those scrumptious holiday meals. Fido and Fluffy are also pretty good at getting us to share tidbits with them. While some things are safe, others could make your furry best friend very sick, and some are even fatal.

Here are some of the dangerous foods:

Sweets

Anything high in sugar is generally not going to be suitable for your pet. However, some things are more dangerous than others. Xylitol is one of the big concerns. Also labeled as birch sugar, it can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in pets. Warning signs include weakness, lethargy, and vomiting. More serious signs may include seizures, and black and/or tarry stool. Unfortunately, ingestion can also lead to liver failure, coma, or even death.

Chocolate/Caffeine

Chocolate is often at the top of the list of unsafe foods for dogs and cats, and with good reason. It contains something called theobromine, which pets can’t metabolize. In small doses, it may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Larger qualities may lead to seizures, heart trouble, coma, or death. Even worse: the fatal dose is sometimes just one ounce per pound of a pet’s body weight.

Grapes, Currants, Raisins

These tiny fruits are healthy for humans but are extremely toxic to pets. In fact, dogs can go into organ failure after eating just one. The issue here is tartaric acid, which causes severe—and possibly life-threatening—damage to dogs’ kidneys.

Meat On The Bone 

Fido and Fluffy will definitely take notice of those delicious main courses. You can share meat, fish, and poultry with your furry friend, but only offer cooked, unseasoned meat, without skin bones, and fat. Bones become extremely dangerous when cooked. They get quite brittle, and can break into sharp shards. These are huge choking risks, and can also cause serious internal damage if ingested.

Other dangerous foods include garlic, onion, and chives; avocado; raw dough; caffeine; macadamia nuts; and anything that contains a lot of salt, sugar, or fat. Be sure to ask your Clarkesville, GA vet about safe and unsafe foods. 

Be Cautious With Plants

Decorate carefully! Those holiday decorations can also pose a risk to playful pets. Many of those seasonal favorites are actually toxic to our furry friends. Here is a breakdown of some of the ones to be careful of. 

  • Holly: Holly contains methylxanthines, saponins, and cyanogens. If ingested, these can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other issues.
  • Poinsettias: Poinsettias can cause gastrointestinal issues. In fact, the leaves can be fatal if enough is consumed. 
  • Lilies: Lilies are one of the most dangerous plants for cats. In fact, just nibbling a bit of the leaves or drinking a bit of the water can cause fatal organ damage to cats. 
  • Ivy: Ivy contains triterpenoid saponins, which are toxic to pets. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting,  diarrhea, and drooling.
  • Mistletoe: Mistletoe produces a cytotoxin called viscumin, which is toxic to dogs. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, and heart problems. 

Stick with plants that you know are safe for pets. If you do choose to get real plants, be very careful, and keep them well away from those cute paws! Keep in mind that even safe plants can become unsafe if they are covered in glitter or decorated with small items. Ask your Cornelia, GA vet for more information on safe and unsafe plants. 

Pets And The Tree

Those beautiful trees make stunning centerpieces for your holiday scene. However, to pets—particularly cats—they are basically giant cat towers covered in shiny ornaments. We unfortunately don’t have any foolproof ways to keep Fluffy from climbing the tree, but we do have some pointers. 

  • Decorate Carefully: When decorating, put only dull, unbreakable objects on the bottom branches. Keep the more fragile ornaments, as well as the majority of the lights and tinsel, on the top parts. That way if your pet knocks something off, it isn’t as likely to break. 
  • Choose The Right Location: If you put the tree right next to a convenient kitty launchpad, like a desk, chair, or sofa you’re pretty much giving Fluffy free rein to wreak havoc. If possible, put the tree in a corner. 
  • Cover The Water: If you get a real tree, you’ll have to be cautious about the water. It may contain residues of pesticides, fire retardants, and other toxins. 
  • Keep Things Picked Up: Fallen needles, ornament hooks, and tinsel strands are all dangerous to pets if ingested. 
  • Keep An Eye On Gifts: While some pets won’t really pay attention to gifts, others will be quite curious about them. Things like bows, ribbons, and strings are all dangerous to your furry pal. 

Of course, there’s also the issue of keeping the tree safe from your pet … particularly Fluffy. One thing that may help? Bribery! Try giving your feline pal some of her toys early, and let her tire herself out with fun play sessions. Hopefully, your feline pal will burn off her zoomies, and will turn her attention to napping under the tree … with the rest of the gifts.

Be Very Careful With Flames And Fire

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire may be a classic image, but you’ll need to be careful to keep any fire or flames contained. If you have a fireplace that uses logs, put a grate in front of it. This is just a good common safety measure anyway. Candles should also be kept in high places. Be careful with potpourri burners, too! 

Be Aware Of Stress

Holiday stress is a thing: for both people and pets! Pets are very much creatures of habit. Things like schedule changes, visitors, travel, and even changes to the environment can all upset your furry friend. 

  • Try to keep your pet on their usual routine as much as possible. 
  • Pay some extra attention to Fluffy and Fido!
  • If you are having guests, offer pets a safe, quiet place to relax, away from all of the commotion. 
  • If your pet is extremely nervous, ask your vet about pet-calming products. There are many different ones available, such as treats, sprays, and collars. Just be sure to follow the package directions to the letter. 
  • Some pets may be frightened of decorations. If your furry pal is extremely anxious, you may want to rethink putting up that giant inflatable reindeer or the singing snowman. 

Be sure to ask your Cornelia, GA vet for more information. 

Make An Appointment At Our Clarkesville, GA Pet Hospital

We all want to wish you a wonderful holiday season. Please feel free to contact us for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. As your Clarkesville, GA veterinarians, we are here to help!

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