Keeping Pets Safe Through the Holidays

It’s the time of the year where families and friends get together to celebrate the coming of the new year. In the hustle and bustle of last minute preparations, you have many people to see and places to go. Let’s not make the veterinary emergency hospital be one of them. There are unexpected illnesses, sudden deterioration of chronic illnesses, etc… but more often, the below problems land more pets in the emergency room than anything else --- problems that are avoidable with a little foresight.

You may have extended families and friends visiting the next few weeks. Some of these guests may not have pets of their own and may not be familiar with the below dietary precautions. Instead of making sure that they give "acceptable" snacks, it may be better to request them to not give any at all.

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Then designate someone in the family to do the feeding. Too much of a good thing can upset Baby's stomach after the fourth person treat her with some pot roast.

When it comes to holiday feast, remember:
* Any food that your pets are not accustomed to --- too fatty, too spicy, too rich --- can lead to intestinal upset and/or pancreatitis. It is best to avoid the following:
- No fatty parts and no skin (poultry, pork)
- No bones, period. Cooked ribs, chicken or turkey bones may seem like a good holiday treat, but they can splinter and cause obstruction or serious injury to the intestines. Some people may recommend raw beef bones (knuckle bones or oxtails) which are “safer” than poultry bones. But we still see patients with intestinal upset (not necessarily intestinal obstruction) from the raw beef bones so we can’t recommend them.

Instead, treat your pet to some lowfat chicken broth over the regular dry food. Or if you want to share your dinner, add a few morsels of boneless, non-fatty meat, green beans, or potato in their food bowl. Just to be safe, stay away from onions and garlic. We don’t know if your pets are sensitive to them. Remember, these are given as treats or to add flavor to their regular diet --- they are not to replace the usual meal. Do not treat your pets to a whole “holiday meal.” You may do more harm than good.

- No chocolate for pets.
- Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, is poisonous to dogs. With the increasing popularity of diet or sugar-free baked goods and sweets, keep that basket of cookies, candies, and chewing gums away from your pets.

Other holiday hazards include:
- Tree & Decorations: Tinsel can twist up the intestines. They are especially dangerous to cats and kittens who tend to play and eat them. Ornaments, if swallowed, can cause intestinal obstruction. Ornament hooks can also get caught in pets' mouths. Use short string / yarn loops, 1 inch or shorter, to hang ornaments (like tinsel, long loops can cause obstruction if swallowed). Even the water at the base of the tree contains secretions that can cause a stomachache. Unless you are there to supervise, it is best to make the tree off-limits; use barriers or have the tree in an area where you can block off access.

- Poisonings: Ivy, holly, mistletoe, hibiscus, poinsettia, lilies and Christmas greens can all cause gastro-intestinal upset if ingested in certain amounts. Some of them can be toxic to animals. Place holiday plants high off the ground. And if you have acrobatic cats, leave the plants in a room where the cats can’t get to them.

- Guests: Boisterous friends and families can frighten pets. Stressed out Fifi may not appreciate having loud kids petting and pulling on her. Designate a quiet and secure room for your pets’ retreat. And if there’s risks of your pets taking off when the door is left open, make sure they have ID collars and/or are microchipped.

Just like us, some pets may be stressed by the holidays. Stress can manifest itself in many ways: behavioral problems, loss of appetite, and excessive grooming to name a few. The problems can lead to serious medical issues such as hepatic lipidosis or “fatty liver” in cats. Contact your veterinarian or the emergency services for advice at early signs of problems --- before they become costly and life-threatening illnesses.

We know it's important enough to warrant repeating each year, but holiday pet safety is one of our least favorite post because it seems so negative. Don't do this. Don't give that.

As we near the end of 2009, we want to leave this year in a more positive note. So here is something you can do to treat your pets, keep them safe, let them know how much you love them, get you into the cuddling holiday spirit, put the biggest grin on your face, and best of all, it costs you nothing!

Hugs! and more hugs!

Wishing you and your family a safe and joyous holiday season!