Holiday Hazards for Pets

With the holidays approaching fast, many people are busy cooking, cleaning, decorating, and preparing for those seasonal celebrations. Your beloved pet is an important part of your family, and will be right by your side throughout this special time of year. However, the holidays do present some specific dangers for pet parents to be aware of. A Norwalk, CA vet lists some of them below.

Many popular seasonal foods are not safe for our furry pals. And while some may only give your dog or cat an upset tummy, others can cause serious medical issues. Grapes, currants, and raisins, for instance, are extremely dangerous to dogs. Even eating a single grape can cause some pups to go into organ failure! Play it safe, and don’t give your pet anything that isn’t safe for them. Some other foods to avoid include garlic, onions, scallions, and chives; nuts; pitted fruit; raw dough or yeast; chocolate; alcohol; caffeine; and anything fried or sugary. Meat on the bone is also unsafe, as is anything that contains xylitol.

Those pretty seasonal decorations can truly give your home a special glow, but many of them really aren’t safe for pets. Ribbons, tinsel, electric light strands, wreaths, and garlands can all choke or entangle frisky dogs and cats. Ornament hooks are also dangerous. We also recommend getting sturdy ornaments: the more fragile ones can shatter into dangerous shards if your furry friend knocks them down.

Toxic plants are one of the most common household hazards for pets, and the holiday season is no exception. Holly, ivy, mistletoe, lilies, and poinsettias are all toxic to Fido and Fluffy. Pine needles—both real and artificial—are also hazardous. Err on the side of caution, and keep plants away from those cute paws. If you get a real tree, you’ll also need to cover the water bowl. The water may contain residue from pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. These definitely aren’t safe for pets to drink!

Stress and anxiety can also take a toll on our furry buddies. Some pets get very nervous when there’s a lot of commotion. If your animal companion is a bit anxious, consider putting him in a quiet back room with food, toys, treats, and comfy bedding when you have guests.

Happy Holidays! Please call us, your Norwalk, CA vet clinic, anytime. We are here to help!