Holiday Hazards
With the holidays right around the corner, there are a number of common sense things every pet owner should be mindful of to avoid making unexpected holiday 'presents' to their veterinarian:
Most holiday plants ( Poinsettia, Mistletoe, Holly, etc.) are toxic to animals. Keep them out of reach
Tinsel and garland can do major intestinal damage if swallowed...skip using these entirely or
monitor your pets around the tree
Keep wires out of sight to avoid the temptation to chew
Use yarn instead of hooks to hang ornaments. Hooks can be swallowed or get stuck in paws or mouths -Don't put chemicals in tree water that pets can get into, and keep the base covered to avoid temptation
Don't use ornaments that will shatter into glass/metallic shards when knocked over by a wagging tail or climbing cat. Also avoid small ornaments which can be eaten and cause blockages
Some kinds of gift wrap contain small amounts of lead in the ink; avoid letting your pet consume these
Watch the table scraps and treats: don't overindulge your pet. Too many different kinds of food will give your dog an upset stomach and diarrhea; too much food will cause obesity
When clearing snow, make sure to use pet-safe granules to melt ice, NOT rock salt, etc. as these can cause burns on paws and skin
And NEVER give your pet chocolate or alcohol-both are toxic!
Enjoy the holidays, but take some precautions to be sure it's a safe one for everyone!
