Holiday Hazards

For Pets Can Be Avoided

By Nancy K. Crevier

Like small children, a close eye must be kept on pets during the busy holiday season to ensure their safety. Electrical cords, tiny, breakable ornaments, tipping trees, and a glut of easily available, tasty treats are as much a danger to dogs, cats and other domestic pets as they are to curious toddlers.

Area veterinarians know that the holidays mean pet emergencies associated with this particular time of year. Dr Karin Harter of Berkshire Animal Hospital and Dr Brian Silverlieb of Mt Pleasant Animal Hospital in Newtown say it is important for pet owners to be watchful of their pets when households and schedules are turned topsy-turvy.

Dr Silverlieb said every year his practice sees a number of preventable holiday emergencies.

“Dogs and cats like to play with tree ornaments,” said Dr Silverlieb, “but watch out for glass ornaments.” When breakable ornaments are hung on lower branches, the tempting baubles are easily knocked down by prying paws, where broken shards can cut their feet. Pets have even ingested broken pieces of glass, he said.

Tinsel dangling from tree branches is another problem for cats, Dr Silverlieb said.

“If they swallow it, they can end up with something called ‘string obstruction,’ which is potentially life-threatening.” Ribbons can also cause obstruction if ingested.

Small ornaments, which can be swallowed, and any breakable ones should always be hung high out of reach of pets, he said, and extension cords should be covered or tucked out of sight so as not to attract pets.

“Puppies like to chew on extension cords,” resulting in shock and mouth burns, said Dr Silverlieb.

Christmas trees pose other dangers to pets beyond broken and swallowed decorations. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center and Paw-Rescue.org warn that tree water can cause distress to animals that drink it. Additives to keep the tree fresh longer can be very toxic and days-old water is full of bacteria. Using aspirin in the water to extend the tree’s life can even be deadly to dogs.

Artificial snow can be inhaled by curious pets, bubbling light ornaments contain fluid hazardous to animals, and pine needles can puncture the intestines if they are lapped up off the floor.

Nearly everyone who has owned a puppy or a kitten has a tale of the time the Christmas tree was taken down by the rambunctious adolescent pet. Not all of the stories have a happy ending, though, as small pets can easily be injured or killed by a heavy, ornament-laden tree. Paw-Rescue.org recommends anchoring Christmas trees to the ceiling with string to prevent mishaps.

Lilies, poinsettias, mistletoe and holly, plentiful during the holiday decorating season, are all toxic to dogs, cats and even birds that have freedom to explore the house. They should be placed where they will not be knocked over or tasted.

Snow globes, which contain antifreeze, are another source of toxicity for pets. Candles can burn pets as easily as they can burn humans, so place candles selectively and do not leave burning candles unattended.

Most pet owners are aware that chocolate, a popular holiday treat, is poisonous to dogs and cats, but may not realize how little it takes to cause distress.

“It actually does not take that much to cause toxicity,” said Dr Silverlieb. For a 50-pound dog, three to four ounces of bitter or dark chocolate, which is more poisonous than milk chocolate, can cause gastrointestinal distress. At higher doses, kidneys can be damaged.

While getting into the candy is usually an accident, one holiday problem Dr Silverlieb and his associates treat every year is pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas causing leakage of digestive enzymes.

People want Fido and Miss Kitty to have treats, too, so they generously slice off excess fat and skin from meats and give the greasy goodies to their furry pals. It is a very bad idea to do so, said Dr Silverlieb.

“We actually had a dog die one year from being fed the fat sliced off of a ham. Pancreatitis can be life threatening. Use lean meat for a treat, not the skin or fat,” he warned.

“Cats like to chew on poinsettias,” warned Dr Harter, who  reats animals every year for symptoms of plant poisoning. As with strings, ribbons and tinsel, said Dr Harter, when plants and foods not intended for pets are consumed it can mean a trip to the veterinarian for emergency surgery.

Other foods that can take the joy out of the holiday season for pets include poultry bones, greasy or spicy foods, grapes, onions, raisins, and the artificial sweetener Xylitol. Keep any alcoholic beverages out of reach, particularly spiked punches or nogs. Animals should be kept on a regular feeding schedule during the hectic holidays, and plenty of fresh water should be available.

“Pets don’t need treats,” said Dr Harter. “People [have a psychological] need to give treats.” It’s a psychological thing, she said, but those sad faces people attribute to their pets are a figment of imagination, by and large. Rather than handing out unnecessary snacks, people might want to give their pets a little extra attention during the holidays.

“Pets can be stressed,” she said. “They are very in tune with their families, so if the family is stressed, the pet senses it.” For example, a dog missing out on a daily walk because family members are too busy might act out by chewing or other attention grabbing behavior.

With schedules out of whack, and travel to strange places, a walk around the block or a few minutes throwing a ball can be a great stress reliever for both pet and owner. Try to squeeze in a little pet playtime, for the sake of everyone’s happiness, suggested Dr Harter.

It’s hard to believe that an animal would choose to devour foil packaging or cellophane wrappers, but they will. Crinkly candy and gift wrappers might be appealing to a pet, but they do not make safe pet toys. Make sure wrapping is picked up and out of the way of pets.

“Any toy you would give to your pet other times of the year is the best toy for the holidays,” said Dr Harter. Cats enjoy any of the bobbing, feathery toys or the chasing toys available in stores.

If foil is rolled tightly into a ball larger than a golf ball, it makes an attractive cat toy, said Dr Harter. However, she warned, if a dog shares the home, a better ball would be one of hard rubber and tennis ball-sized or larger.

“Small balls, like the super balls, are dangerous to dogs. They can swallow them and choke,” Dr Harter said.

Common sense and supervision, urge the doctors, can ensure that the holidays are safe and joyous for all members of a family — whether on two legs or four.