Do you think the holiday season begins with Halloween or Thanksgiving? As my wardrobe turns from shorts to sweatshirts, I tend to start planning for the holidays. This should include how my pets will react to these changes, but sadly, I am often too busy planning my family’s activities to realize how my plans ultimately affect my furry family members. Experts from the Pet Poison Helpline, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have several words of wisdom to help us navigate the most wonderful time of the year.
The AVMA (2024) advocates that you plan in advance by having the following information readily available:
- Your veterinarian’s phone number – Fox Run Animal Hospital: 810-678-8738
- 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic – Animal Emergency Center: 248-651-1788
- ASPCA Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661
The holiday season often includes food and drink not normally available during the rest of the year
Many of these are toxic to your pet. Keep people food away from pets, and let your guests know that a special “treat” may be dangerous to your pet. According to the Brutlag (2024) some of the most common offenders are chocolate, grapes, gum, candy, alcohol and meat scraps.
- Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine, a chemical highly toxic to dogs and cats. A small amount may cause vomiting and diarrhea, but large amounts can cause a seizure or heart arrhythmia.
- Grapes, raisins, and currants can cause kidney failure in dogs.
- Many gums and candies contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic and can cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
- Fatty meat scraps can produce severe inflammation of the pancreas leading to abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea in dogs. The symptoms in cats are less clear, such as a decreased appetite and weight loss (FDA, 2024).
- Alcohol poisoning in pets is more common than you think. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed in animals and can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature. Intoxicated pets may also experience seizures and respiratory failure.
The FDA (2024) also reminds pet owners to be careful with trash. Pets can upset the can and help themselves to table scraps, including bones that can injure your pet’s mouth, esophagus, and stomach, as well as causing severe internal injuries.
Decorations can also contain risks to your pet.
- Shiny, breakable ornaments are particularly enticing to puppies and kittens who will bite into them while playing (Brutlag, 2024). Food-based ornaments can cause the same type of intestinal blockage as food scraps or yeast-based alcohol poisoning (AVMA, 2024).
- Tinsel, ribbons, wreaths, etc. can also cause intestinal blockage, and trees can fall on your pet if not properly seated. Additives used in tree water may be hazardous if swallowed (ASPCA, 2024).
- Electric lights can cause burns. Never leave lights on and unattended in case your pet chews on the cord, causing burns and electrocution (FDA, 2024).
- To prevent fire, never leave a pet alone around open flames from candles, oil lamps, or potpourris. Liquid potpourris can severely damage your pet’s mouth, eyes, and skin, while non-liquid potpourris may cause problems if ingested (AVMA, 2024).
Poinsettia plants have a bad rap as highly toxic, and while they are toxic, bouquets containing lilies, holly or mistletoe are worse. Just one or two bites from a lily can cause kidney failure in cats; even the pollen and water are thought to be dangerous (Brutlag, 2024). Wreaths may also be toxic, particularly those using Japanese Yew. Ingestion of any of these plants may cause collapse, hypotension, ataxia, seizures, dizziness, abnormal heart rate, dilated pupils, coma, and/or death.
And if the above were not enough to worry about, keep those snack bags closed and safely stored. The FDA (2024) warns that mylar-type food bags are easy for dogs to sniff out. The bags are thin enough that when a dog puts his head far enough into one and breathes in, the bag can wrap around his nose and mouth, suffocating him.
The staff at Fox Run wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving full of love, laughter, and the ability to see and enjoy the wonder of the season. But most of all, safety for you and your loved ones, including the furry ones. We also remind you that because we treasure a healthy staff with a good work-life balance, we will be closed Thursday and Friday (11/28/24 and 11/29/24).
3390 S. Lapeer Road, Metamora, MI 48455
(810) 678-8738
References:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 2024. Winter Holiday Pet Safety. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/holiday-pet-safety
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 2024. Top 5 Holiday Pet Toxins. https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/top-5-holiday-pet-toxins
Brutlag, A., 2024. Holiday & Winter Toxins Newsletter. Pet Poison Helpline. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/holiday-winter-toxins/
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2024. Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe from Holiday Hazards. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/keep-your-dogs-and-cats-safe-holiday-hazards