Holiday time presents some situations that can be hazardous to your pet’s health. A little planning and taking extra precautions will keep the holidays a happy time for all.
Holiday food favorites can be dangerous for dogs. Watch out for “counter surfing” when food is left on counters and serving areas. Fats, gravy and poultry skin can lead to gastrointestinal upset or, worse, pancreatitis. This inflammatory condition of the pancreas often requires hospitalized care and can be fatal.
Keep trash where your pet cannot get to it. Food scraps and packaging can be delectable for your pet. Moldy food in the trash may contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that can cause muscle tremors and difficulty walking.
Alcoholic drinks, especially eggnog, are tempting along with rum cake. Cats are sensitive to ethanol and are attracted to mixed drinks containing milk, cream or ice cream. And unbaked bread dough undergoes fermentation in the stomach to produce ethanol and stomach distension.
Chocolate poisoning is a common problem, with early symptoms of anxiety, agitation or vomiting. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. One-half to 1 ounce of baking chocolate can be fatal for a toy breed, while 4-8 ounces can be toxic for a Labrador. Don’t keep wrapped boxes of chocolate under the tree – your dog will open them.
If you have to share food, give dogs canned pumpkin, raw or cooked sweet potato, or carrots or green beans without added oils. Grapes, raisins and currants are toxic for some dogs. Be careful with peanut butter, as it is high in fat and some peanut butters now have a natural sweetener called Xylitol added. Xylitol causes a dog’s blood sugar to become low and could result in liver failure.
Dangerous decorations
It doesn’t take much for a climbing cat or excited dog to knock the Christmas tree over, so make sure it is secured. A tight-fitting tree skirt can prevent your pet from drinking the tree’s water. Foil around the base can discourage cats. Double-sided cellophane tape or citronella spray at the tree base will discourage cats from climbing. Avoid ornaments made from food such as salt/dough ornaments and popcorn strings. Watch for and remove any broken ornaments.
Poinsettia is only mildly toxic; holly, mistletoe and Amaryllis are more so, causing severe stomach upset. Lilies are particularly worrisome in cats, because eating only one or two leaves or flower petals can cause kidney failure.
Potpourri liquid or scented oils simmered in a pot are attractive to cats and are poisonous due to the essential oils and cationic detergents they contain.
For some cats and dogs, the bustle of the holiday season can be stressful. Providing a comfortable, quiet place to retreat to can help and also prevent unnoticed escapes out the door.
If you suspect that your pet has been exposed to a “holiday hazard,” call your local veterinarian immediately, the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 213-6680 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Early treatment can prevent a serious or fatal condition.
Dr. Kenton Taylor is a veterinarian with Miramonte Veterinary Hospital, 1766 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View. For more information, call (650) 962-8338 or visit miramontevet.com.
