Holiday Dangers and Your Pet
Thanksgiving marked the official start of the holiday season. Unfortunately, everyone’s favorite time of the year has many hidden dangers for our pets.
Table scraps
Whether you give your dog table scraps or he helps himself to the trash after Thanksgiving dinner, fatty meats or bones can cause serious gastrointestinal upset. Keep treats to a minimum and stick to lean meats or vegetables such as carrots or green beans if you must sneak him something under the table.
Holiday Guests
With a house full of family or friends your pet may have access to substances that aren’t normally around. Many over the counter and prescription drugs are toxic to dogs and cats. Sugar-free gum made with Xylitol can cause liver disease, low blood sugar, and seizures. Make sure house guests keep these safely out of reach. You should also keep this in mind when you reach for the Advil or Tylenol after one too many eggnogs at the company holiday party.
Christmas Tree 
The Christmas tree itself is not really a problem but how we decorate it can be deadly to dogs and cats. Tinsel and ribbon on presents are a favorite for kitties to chew on and if ingested can create what is called a linear foreign body. This occurrence is usually considered a surgical emergency as the intestines can perforate rapidly causing a systemic bacterial infection and possibly death. It can also be dangerous if your curious dog or cat chews on the cord of the Christmas tree lights resulting in an electric burn or nasty shock. Ornaments are an enticing, dangling foreign body just waiting to happen. It is common to use chemicals in the tree water to preserve the life of the tree. If you have pets in the house it is usually best to stick to sugar water and try to prevent them from drinking it.
Lilies and other plants
Lilies of any kind are extremely dangerous for cats as even a tiny amount of a leaf or petal can quickly result in kidney failure. Other common holiday plants such as Christmas cactus, English Holly, Paper Whites or Amaryllis are also toxic so please be careful. Poinsettias and American Mistletoe can cause stomach upset but are not considered deadly if ingested. If you receive a plant as a gift or plan on giving something to a cat owner please visit the ASPCA Poison Control website and make sure it is not toxic to cats.
Fruit cake
I’m not sure if anyone actually gives out fruit cake anymore but this or any other holiday treat with raisins or currents may cause kidney failure if ingested by a dog.
Chocolate
A few years ago I had a client bring in her Labrador after he ate all the chocolates she had left in her children’s shoes as a traditional gift for Saint Nicholas. Chocolate candy and baking with chocolate are everywhere this time of year. Keep an eye on your dog and make sure he doesn’t enjoy these treats with you. Dark, bittersweet or bakers chocolate are the most dangerous and always warrant a trip to the veterinarian.
I hope these tips help you and your pets enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season.
Dr. Ashley Gallagher graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and completed an internship at Friendship. She’s been on staff ever since and works on both our primary care and surgery services. Dr. Gallagher has her hands full at home with four dogs and three cats, who always keep things interesting.
*Featured image courtesy of pinterest.com.
