Well it’s that time of year again. Stockings are being hung, Christmas trees are being lit. We’re all getting ready to celebrate with friends and family. In all the excitement, let’s not forget our furry friends. Holidays pose many potential challenges.
The tree. While so beautiful, trees can be potentially dangerous for our pets. The pine needles can be very sharp and cause irritation to the GI tract or even worse could get stuck in the intestines (an obstruction) requiring surgery. The stagnant tree water can be a source of bacteria that can also cause vomiting and diarrhea or other infections. Anchor your tree well. Christmas trees can be very inviting for our pets to explore.
Mistletoe, Holly, Tinsel. These features of the holidays make our homes so beautiful but reconsider having them in your home with your pets. Holly ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea. Mistletoe can cause GI upset and blood pressure problems. Shiny tinsel can be very tempting to cats, but ingestion can easily lead to obstruction (and the need for a holiday surgery).
Lights shining so bright. No, we’re not talking about Rudolph’s nose here. The lights around our homes can be potential hazards if our pets chew on them causing electric shock and mouth ulcers. Candles can be another concern. Even the battery operated candles aren’t safe from mention. The batteries that keep them so beautifully lit can cause severe ulceration if chewed or ingested due to their corrosive nature. Liquid potpourri and sachets can cause skin or oral damage, muscle tremors, weakness, difficulty breathing and in most extreme circumstances death.
Cookies, cocktails and more. Keep your lid secure on your garbage, cocktails should not left unattended, and skip giving your pets leftovers. Fatty foods (even worse are those with bones) can cause severe pancreatitis (more vomiting and diarrhea) and sometimes even require hospitalization. Alcohol ingestion can make pets weak, sometimes even lead to comas if enough is consumed.
What about guests? The holidays wouldn’t be complete without friends and family, but a word of caution. Ask your guests to secure and put away purses and luggage so they are out of reach for our furry ones (watch those sugar free gums and human medications too). And if you’re taking your pet to someone else’s home spend a few minutes “pet proofing” the house. Be aware that while out of town guests are a treat for us they might be stressful for our pets. Ensuring that your pet has a quiet, safe spot away from the commotion, with toys, food and water is essential. For our cats, make sure there is a clean litterbox in that space too.
A word of caution on adding a new pet to your family for the holidays. There is nothing quite like a new puppy or kitten for Christmas. But make sure your family is ready for a new addition. Educate your family on what new puppy/kitten care will entail (costs too). Talking to your veterinarian beforehand can be helpful to decide if it’s the right time to bring someone new into the family. You are preparing for a pet for the rest of its life (10-20 years if you are lucky). If you’re not ready for a new pet, consider donating to your local shelter or even donating treats and toys for homeless pets this season.
Making it fun for our pets. Safe, indestructible toys are great for that special present. Treats specially formulated for dogs and cats that your pets can tolerate can be nice addition too. Taking our pets for an extra walk is a great way to make sure they are getting the time this holiday to do the things they like to do. Enjoy some of those extra snuggles by the fire.
Even in the best of circumstances, accidents happen. We are here to help should something go awry. If your pet is in need of emergency care when we are not available, the Animal Emergency Clinic of Cary is a great place for you to turn.
Enjoy your holidays! Be safe and merry, all in good cheer.
Dr. Traficanti
