Christmas is a time to enjoy, celebrate together, and have fun, and as members of the family, our furry friends will usually try to get in on the activities as well. However, the holiday season also brings with it a slew of hidden dangers for our four-legged pals, ranging from hazardous foods to deadly seasonal flora. It is critical for pet parents to take precautions against the new threats that the winter poses for dogs and cats. From poisonous houseplants to hazardous Christmas decorations and toxic winter chemicals, there are many holiday dangers for pets.
Dr. Nicole recommends every pet owner make a list of seasonal plants and foods that you should keep away from your pets during the holidays, and place it where you can always see it.
Winter plants add to the holiday atmosphere and can help warm up a living space. However, since some plants are extremely dangerous to pets, particularly small ones like kittens and puppies, pet owners should be cautious when selecting plants for decoration.
Here are some of the houseplants that are extremely toxic to pets.
Plants should be kept out of reach of children as well. When you adorn your home with beautiful festive plants, make sure only you can reach them. If your pet consumes any of these deadly Christmas plants, take them to your veterinarian.
Cats in particular have a strong desire to inspect Christmas trees. Make sure your tree is securely anchored. It’s also a good idea to keep ornaments firmly tied to the tree and out of your pet's reach.
For the sake of our furry family members, if you use plants to decorate your home for the holidays, do some research before doing so, or stick to artificial plants.
Numerous holiday meals have the potential to be poisonous or dangerous to your pet's digestive system or other organs! Please pay attention to the following items that might be around your home more frequently over the holiday season.
Call Dr. Nicole at Onalaska Animal Hospital immediately if you think your pet may have consumed any of these foods. You can also use our VetTriage service to access a veterinarian for video telehealth consultation or call the pet poison helpline at (855) 764-7661 (a $59 fee may apply for the helpline).
As much as you want to treat them with something yummy off your plate, make sure to only give your furry friend their own food or treats that have been approved for pets. All chocolate and other candy treats should be out of your pets' reach. Never leave trash bags where your pets or other animals might rip them up.
With the right measures, we can keep our pets safe and have fun with them throughout the holidays. The best thing a pet owner can do during the holidays is to get acquainted with common household pollutants and pet-proof their home appropriately. Do you have any more questions regarding seasonal foods and plants that could pose a particular risk to pets? Get in touch with Onalaska Animal Hospital today; we’ll be more than happy to help.
