We love the holidays for celebrating some of life’s happiest moments and making memories with loved ones.
Dogs and cats love the holidays, too – especially when their owners and guests share extra time and pet treats with them. But all the interesting foods and decorations in our homes during the holidays can be irresistible to pets, sometimes landing them in emergency pet hospitals after tasting or eating them.
Below are a few “safety” facts we put together for you, with information from PetPoisonHelpline.com.
Dog Dangers
1. Chocolate. The extra hustle and bustle of the holiday season combined with bowls of chocolates around the house; extra baking for parties and gatherings; and decadent treats being wrapped and left under the tree seems to contribute to our furry friends indulging in more chocolate than usual.
While the occasional chocolate chip within one cookie may not be an issue, we worry about certain types of chocolate, the less sweet and the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your dog. Baker’s chocolate and dark chocolate pose the biggest problem. This chemical toxicity results in vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, inflammation of the pancreas (i.e., pancreatitis), an abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and rarely, even death.
2. Fruitcake. Fruitcake can pack a major toxic punch if ingested by our pets! Chock-full of dried fruits they often contain raisins and/or currants which can cause kidney failure in dogs (and possibly cats). If soaked in rum there is also risk for alcohol toxicity!
3. Grapes and Raisins. First and foremost, we just know that they can cause renal failure. Because of the seriousness of acute renal failure, they are potentially life-threatening. The second frustrating fact about raisins and grapes is that they do not seem to affect every dog and we cannot predict which dog will be affected. Consequently, every exposure is considered potentially life threatening. Thirdly, it is another one of those ingredients that are showing up in unusual places. The key here is that no matter the quantity, if your dog is the dog that will be affected by raisins or grapes, this is life-threatening.
4. Xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener that is expanding its scope almost daily. It is very popular because it promotes dental health in sugar-free products. Originally, this consisted of gums, mints, and dental products. Now we are finding it in vitamins, food, candy, and prescription and non-prescription medications, and a whole lot more – BEWARE! Even small amounts ingested can result in a life-threatening drop in blood sugar, or with large amounts of ingestion, liver failure. Signs of a low blood sugar include vomiting, weakness, difficulty walking, tremoring, or even seizing.
5. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen. Some of these exposures are accidental and some are not. Please check with your veterinarian before you give your dog any medication! A dog is not a small person and they are not tolerant to some of the medications that we tolerate well.
6. Grandma’s baggie of assorted medications. In preparation for their travels, folks might mix multiple medications into a single baggie without knowing the amount that was packed. Sometimes the name and dose of the medications are unknown as well. If a pet in the home gets into this baggie it can spell all sorts of trouble and can be a very difficult situation for your veterinarian to assess. It is always best to keep medications in their original bottles when possible
Cat Catastrophes
1. The Tree. Try getting an artificial tree so your cat can’t ingest sap, tree water or pine needles, which can cause nausea, vomiting, skin irritation or injury to the stomach. Be sure to secure your tree to prevent it from falling during curious feline exploration. If you get a live tree, don’t give your cat access to the water basin at the bottom since cats are very sensitive to the pine oils and chronic ingestions could cause problems. If you see or feel sap on their fur wash it away immediately, if you don’t – they will and for a cat that means eating the sap.
2. Tinsel. This is a common cause of feline bowel obstruction. After a cat ingests the tinsel they are unable to pass it through their intestines. Once stuck, the cat tries to vomit it out but cannot and will need surgery to remove the blockage.
3. Ribbon. Ribbon ingestion commonly causes a linear or sting foreign body obstruction. This is a particularly dangerous type of obstruction because once stuck, the ribbon becomes taught and acts like a saw against the side of the intestine. Cats with this type of obstruction are good at hiding their illness and may continue to eat and drink for some time. Keep your presents stored away until the big day or shy away from wrapping with long ribbons or wire edged ribbons.
4. Lights. Cats will occasionally chew through light strands, which can cause electrocution. Cats who have been electrocuted will often have difficulty breathing and have burns in their mouth, seek veterinarian assistance immediately.
5. Glow Sticks. These are not terribly toxic but they really do seem to be a cat magnet. Cats chew them and the liquid leaks out causing some very dramatic foaming and drooling.
And finally… you might want to deck the halls with holiday plants, but are they toxic?
1. Poinsettia. It is a myth that poinsettias are a highly toxic plant. Poinsettias contain a milky white sap that can cause mild vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea when ingested by pets, but more serious toxicity is not expected.
2. Mistletoe. There are several species of mistletoe, and store-bought mistletoe plants will commonly have the berries replaced with plastic berries. In most cases when a small amount of mistletoe is ingested, only mild vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea develop. Ingestion of plastic berries potentially could cause intestinal obstruction.
3. Christmas Cactus. Christmas cactus is considered a non-toxic plant, however, mild vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea can occur with ingestion, but serious toxicity is not expected.
4. Amaryllis. Many people enjoy growing showy amaryllis blooms from bulbs during the Christmas season. When pets ingest the plant’s flowers and leaves, vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea most commonly occur. The bulb is more toxic and ingestion of the bulb, especially in large amounts, can possibly result in weakness, tremors, seizures, and changes in blood pressure.
5. Holly. Ingestion of holly can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and lethargy in your pets. All parts of the plant can cause GI upset if ingested.
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a potential toxin, contact your veterinarian or call Pet Poison Helpline right away at 1-800-213-6680. Treatment in some of these cases is very time dependent.