Have a Pet-Safe Holiday
As we head toward Christmas, remember to keep your canine family members safe from potential holiday dangers. Nothing can spoil your good cheer like an unplanned emergency visit to the veterinarian. The following tips can help keep your pet safe, happy, and healthy.
Keep an Eye on Holiday Foods
In general, “people food” is not for your pets. That is especially true with rich holiday treats. Some items are particularly dangerous to dogs, such as:
- Chocolate. That box of See’s Candy is a staple for Northern California holiday tables, but be aware that chocolate is toxic to dogs. The level of toxicity varies based on the kind of chocolate, the amount consumed, and the animal’s size, but the safest bet is to consider all chocolate off-limits.
- Cookies, pies, and other baked goods. Rich desserts can lead to digestion problems for your dog, and if they happen to contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener, the problem could be even worse. The chemical has been linked to canine liver failure, which is usually fatal.
- Turkey (meat and skin). Even small amounts of turkey can cause pancreatitis in your pets, which is a potentially life-threatening condition.
- Rich table scraps. This category includes doggy favorites like meat bones, fat, and gravy. Gravy in particular often contains onions, which at certain levels can be poisonous to pets. It may be tempting to share some of the rich, fattening meals of the holidays with your dogs but this can put them at risk for pancreatitis.
- Fresh bread. If you are baking homemade bread this holiday, be aware that yeasted dough can cause digestive problems for pets, including potentially dangerous bloating.
To ensure that your dog does not help himself to tempting holiday fare, clear food from the table, serving areas, and counters when you are done, and make sure your trash receptacle is inaccessible to your pet.
Holiday Decorations
Be aware of the festive items with which you deck the halls, as some of them can be hazardous to pets.
- Christmas trees. A tall tree in a stand is prone to tipping, especially if your pets jump at the ornaments. The tree can be secured by tying it to a doorframe or ceiling hook with fishing line.
- Water additives. Do not add sugar, aspirin, or prepared plant foods to your Christmas tree water. These can be dangerous to your pets.
- Ornaments and tinsel. Though it is not as commonly used these days, tinsel is especially attractive to dogs, and if they eat it, it may cause digestive problems, including intestinal blockage. Some dogs may also chew on ornaments, and a broken ornament can cause all sorts of injuries.
- Holiday lights. Strings of electric lights could burn or electrocute your dog if he chews on the cord.
- Holiday flowers and plants. Many holiday plants are toxic to dogs. Consider skipping them or getting faux versions. The list includes:
- Balsam
- Pine
- Mistletoe
- Amaryllis
- Holly
- Cedar
- Poinsettia
- Potpourri. Potpourri should be kept out of the reach of your pets, as they may be tempted to eat the dried aromatics, which may cause belly issues. Heated liquid potpourri and scented wax melts could burn or cause damage to your dog’s skin, eyes, or mouth.
Be Prepared
It pays to prevent pet accidents, but just in case an unfortunate incident does occur, be sure to have the number for an around-the-clock emergency vet clinic readily available at all times. Think in advance about the transportation you will use and the route you will take to get there, as it is often hard to think straight when you are under stress.
Watch the YouTube video. This short video from the Humane Society has more tips for keeping your pet safe during the holidays.
Del Paso Heights Dog Bite Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Del Paso Heights dog bite lawyer. We love dogs at AutoAccident.com. We also represent victims of dog bites and dog attacks and recognize that most of the time these unfortunate injuries occur due to the negligence of the dog owner. If you have suffered dog bite injuries and would like to discuss your legal options, call to speak with one of our injury lawyers for free and friendly advice. Our local number is (916) 921-6400 and the toll-free line is (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, you may send us an electronic message.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/pets-christmas-dogs-cat-962215/
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