Christmas is a joyous time with our loved ones, including our pets. However, this may pose risks to them due to Christmas gifts and items. Veterinarians often see an increase in cases during the holiday season. To keep your pets safe, inform everyone in the home animal-friendly practices. However, prevention remains the best approach.
Protect your pet friends this holiday season by staying alert for potential dangers:
Poinsettias
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These vibrant Christmas plants, including poinsettias, can potentially cause mild oral irritation and gastrointestinal upset in pets. Keep an eye out for symptoms such as drooling, lip licking, vomiting and diarrhea.
Although medical treatment is rarely necessary, it is wise to place poinsettias out of reach of cats and dogs to minimize the risk of ingestion.
Lilies
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Some varieties of lilies used as Christmas items can be dangerous, even in small quantities, as they are known to cause kidney failure in cats. Dogs exposed to lilies may experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Notably, tiger lilies, daylilies, Asiatic lilies, Easter lilies, and Japanese lilies pose a particularly high risk to cats. Be careful and keep these flowers away from your pets to avoid health problems.
holly
When your pets eat holly plants, it can cause more than just an upset stomach in your pets; this can lead to injury to their spiny leaves, causing excessive drooling, lip-smacking, and head shaking. To avoid such problems, make sure holly plants are placed in areas inaccessible to your cats and dogs.
Mistletoe
While mistletoe adds a festive touch to your decorations, it can pose risks to your pets. Ingestion can cause stomach problems, and in severe cases, large amounts can cause hypotension, seizures, and even death.
Keep your pet safe by opting for artificial mistletoe or strategically placing it out of reach during holiday festivities. Always be aware of your pet’s surroundings and consider consulting your veterinarian for more personalized advice on pet safety on vacation.
Candles
Whether setting the mood for a cozy dinner or celebrating Hanukkah with a menorah, remember to keep pets away from open flames. Avoid potential accidents, like tails catching fire, by ensuring that curious cats or playful puppies can’t reach the flickering flames.
Christmas trees
Transform your home into a winter wonderland with a Christmas tree? Your pets might treat it as a new playground. Protect your tree with a suitable anchor to prevent curious cats from attempting to climb.
Use caution with real trees, as the water reservoir can be harmful if ingested, especially if fertilizers are used.
Ornaments and snow globes
Beyond twinkling lights, ornaments can pose risks. As a result, glass ornaments may break, causing injury to pets. Be wary of snow globes and bubble lights, which may contain harmful chemicals leading to kidney failure if ingested by pets.
Garlands, strings and ribbons
Although tinsel can add sparkle to your tree, it poses a serious threat to pets. It is suggested to avoid it due to its potential to cut off the cat’s digestive tract. Likewise, be careful with popcorn strings, cranberries and ribbons on gifts, as they can cause problems if ingested by your four-legged friends.
Electrical cords
The holiday season often brings a multitude of decorations and lights, accompanied by an increased presence of electrical cords. The dangers of live cords can cause mouth burns, seizures and even death if chewed by pets.
Keep cords unplugged and out of reach when pets are left unattended to ensure a safe and happy celebration.
Wrapping or crepe paper
Eating wrapping paper or crepe paper can leave colored stains around your dog’s mouth. Although both are low-toxic and generally non-toxic, consuming a large amount could cause a dangerous intestinal blockage. Keep an eye on your pet to avoid excessive paper ingestion.
Improve your dog’s health this Christmas!
If you think your dog has come into contact with harmful substances, consult your veterinarian immediately. Avoid trying to induce vomiting, as this can cause additional complications. Especially during the holiday season, when our celebrations can pose risks to our four-legged friends, remaining vigilant and proactive is essential to ensuring a safe and happy holiday for you and your dog.
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