CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
INCLUDE HAZARDS FOR YOUR PET
The holidays are a time for giving, but that should not include sweets or turkey scraps to your pet. According to the Baring Boulevard Veterinary Hospital, holiday festivities present situations that can be hazardous to your pet's health. A little precaution will make it a happy time for everyone.
 | Some of the more common holiday hazards include: |
| Bones: the holiday turkey or ham will leave a lot of tantalizing bones, but don't feed them to your pet. Smaller bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach and intestinal tract. |
| Fats, gravies and poultry skin can cause severe gastrointestinal problems as well. |
| Holiday plants: Holly and mistletoe are extremely poisonous when eaten. Keep them out of pets' reach. |
| Electrical cords: Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. Be sure you have the cords secured and out of the way. |
| Pine needles: Check around holiday trees and decorative boughs frequently. Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet's intestines. |
| Sweets: Too much holiday candy is as bad for your pet as it is for you. A stomach ache is a mild side effect while an over-indulgence in chocolate can actually be fatal. Chocolate poisoning is caused by theobromine, a caffeine-like chemical substance found naturally in chocolate. Keep those one pound chocolate kisses well away from curious pets and don’t leave them wrapped under the tree! |
| Christmas tree: Make sure your Christmas tree is well-secured. If you have a tree-climbing cat or large dog, anchor the top of the tree to a wall, using strong cord or rope. Preservatives used in the water at the base can also cause intestinal problems, so be sure it is inaccessible. |
| Ornaments: Sharp or breakable tree ornaments, yams, ribbons, angel hair and, especially, tinsel and string should be kept out of your pet's reach. Hang these items high on the tree and make sure your packages are securely wrapped |
