The holiday season is an exciting time, filled with celebration and joy,however it can also bring hidden dangers for our pets. It’s important that we keep an eye out for possible hazards for our furry friends while we deck the halls and indulge in festive treats.
At Northside Vets, we want you to stay as well-informed as possible, so we’ve listed the top 5 Christmas hazards for your pets below…
Toxic Festive Foods
Us humans are lucky enough to be able to treat ourselves to a big Christmas ham or some tasty chocolates, but our pets aren’t quite as fortunate! Some common toxic foods include:
Chocolate
· The main toxic ingredients in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine
· Ingestion of chocolate can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to seizures and death
· The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is
Grapes and raisins
· These are commonly found in festive fruitcake and mince pies
· Grape and raisin toxicity can cause kidney disease and failure
· Even ingestion of one grape can be fatal to a dog
Onions, garlics and leeks
· These foods can cause anaemia in our pets
· Symptoms include lethargy, pale gums, vomiting, diarrhea, and reddish urine
Xylitol sweetener
· Xylitol is often found in sugar-free sweets and gums
· Symptoms can occur quite quickly (in 15-30 minutes) and can develop into liver failure and sometimes death
Wrapped Food Items
· Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and can often decide that Christmas has come early ando pen things up a little earlier!
· Be careful of ingestion of wrapping and the food items that are inside – some of these may betoxic to pets!
Make sure to keep these foods out of reach from your pets and remind any guests to not feed your pet scraps.
Christmas Trees and Decorations
As beautiful as a well-decorated Christmas tree is, our pets can sometimes view it as a fancy climbing post or yummy chew toy. Hazards include:
· Tinsels and ribbon – can cause intestinal blockages and other issues if swallowed
· Glass ornaments – if broken can cause cuts
· Tree needles – real or artificial, these can cause stomach upset or punctures if eaten
Make sure to secure your tree with a sturdy base and avoid any breakable ornaments.
Festive Plants
Many traditional holiday plants are actually toxic to pets if ingested
Lilies
· Whilst not the typical holiday plant, all parts of these plants are extremely toxic tocats and any contact with them can be fatal. Do not keep lilies in your home if you have cats.
Poinsettias and Holly
· These are mildly toxic and can irritate the mouth and stomach if ingested, causing vomiting and diarrhea
Mistletoe
· Unlike the romantic connotations with humans, these can cause drooling, vomiting, heart problems and even seizures in animals
Opt for pet-safe flowers and plants this festive season! Some pet-safe plants include:
· Orchids
· Sunflowers
· Roses
· Calatheas
· Petunias
Electric Cords and Lights
Any pet owners know that twinkling lights and cables are extremely tempting to chew on for these guys! However, they do come with many risks, including:
· Electrical burns from chewing cables
· Entanglement
· Shocks or fire risks
Try to use cord protectors, secure loose wires and unplug lights when you are not home.
Gift Wrap, Toys and other Small Objects
From bows and strings to batteries and plastic packaging, there’s a lot to chew on for a pet at Christmas time! Although all non-food and pet toy chewing should be avoided, you should especially watch out for:
· Strings,ribbons and boys – these are choking hazards and can cause intestinal blockages
· Small toys and parts – as above, these can cause blockages or choking
· Batteries – extremely dangerous if swallowed or punctured!
· Wrapping paper – although not toxic, it can cause stomach upset and blockages in larger amounts. Clean up wrapping materials promptly and supervise your pet during gift-opening.
Christmas is a time for fun and family, and that includes our furry friends too! At Northside vets, we believe that with a little awareness and preparation, you can enjoy a safe, happy festive season with your pet right by your side.
If you suspect your pet has eaten something harmful, always contact your vet or an emergency animal clinic right away.
If your pet needs emergency out-of-hours (OOH) care, please visit your nearest OOH hospital. The closest OOH veterinary clinic is Advanced Vet Care (AVC) Kew, located at 2/6 Chandler Hwy, Kew VIC 3101, phone number: (03) 90203555.
