The winter can be such a fun time of the year for the whole family, including pets. But, there are a few things to be aware of during the cold weather and holiday festivities—the simplest thing can quickly turn into an emergency for pets. Here are a few hints to keep your pets protected over the holidays.
Household holiday plants: Holly and mistletoe are extremely poisonous when eaten. The lovely red leaves of the poinsettia may not be truly poisonous, but its milky white sap and leaves can certainly cause severe gastric distress. With so many hybrid varieties available each year, the best approach is to keep the plants out of your pet’s reach.
Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, a naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean. While amounts vary by type of chocolate, it’s the theobromine that is poisonous to dogs. You can recognize that your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate from the symptoms. Within the first few hours, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. As time passes, increased absorption of the toxic substance, will cause an increase in the dog’s heart rate, which can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting. This can lead to hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures, coma, and even death.
Sugar: Although tasty, it is not good for dogs, since they can’t digest it properly. Many dog treats contain honey, which is a sweet alternative to processed sugar for them. Avoid sharing your holiday sweets with your dogs.
Bones: The holiday turkey or chicken will leave a lot of tantalizing bones, but don’t feed them to your pet. Beware of steak bones, too—they can be broken. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach, and intestinal tract.
Live Christmas trees: Make sure your tree is well secured. If you have a tree-climbing cat or large dog with a happy tail, anchor the top of the tree to the wall, using strong cord or rope. Clean up fallen pine needles that can be sharp enough to puncture your pet’s intestines. Beware of preservatives often used in tree-stand water that can cause gastric upsets. Avoid adding sugar or aspirin to the water. A baby gate may be an effective way to separate your dog from the tree.
Holiday decorations: Make sure electrical cords are secure so they don’t get chewed up . Beware of tinsel and glass or mirrored decorations for the tree. String objects, especially tinsel and ribbons, should be safeguarded at all costs. If a pet swallows one of these, it can block intestines, causing decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness, and weight loss. Treatment may involve surgery. Use unbreakable bulbs. You may also want to keep the lower branches bare, if they are within reach of your dog. Avoid edible and fragile ornaments. Avoid wire ornament hooks that can easily snag an ear or a tail, or, if swallowed, can lodge in the throat or intestines. They are thin and sharp and can wrap around intestines or ball up in the stomach. These are all very attractive to pets so be sure to either avoid them or put them at the top half of the tree and out of reach.
Gifts: Dogs can chew on, or swallow, small parts; plastic items can be easily broken and swallowed, too. Gift-wrappings can be dangerous to a pet’s health: string and ribbon can cause obstruction of the small bowel if swallowed.
Fire: Take special care with candles, fireplaces, space heaters, wood-burning stoves, and fireplaces, which can cause burns if animals get too close. Candles are a great attraction for pets, so don’t leave them alone in a room with a menorah or candelabra blazing—the swish of a tail can be disastrous.
Cold temperatures: Be aware of the outside temperature when your dog goes out; coats are made for dogs with little or short hair that cannot tolerate the cold.
Ice: Dogs have trouble walking on ice just like we do. Put some sand down and clear a path for your dog. It is not safe for pets to walk on salted walks or streets that have road salt on them, as it burns their footpads. Apply petroleum jelly to your dog’s footpads before going out for a walk, or consider doggie boots. (They really work for some dogs!) After a walk with your bare-footed friend, be sure to wash off his paws to prevent him from licking them and ingesting the salt, which is a toxic chemical. If you prefer to salt your walks and driveways, there is a pet-safe salt available called “Paw Safe,” and similar products are coming to the marketplace.
Stress: If you have company coming over, beware of open doors and sneaky pets. Make sure they have collars and tags on in case of escape. Ask guests to keep an eye out for your pets under foot and remind them that your normally friendly dog or cat may be less than willing to deal with enthusiastic children and rooms full of unfamiliar people. Provide a quiet retreat with a blanket and fresh water where your pets can relax when the festivities get too stressful.
Finally, before you decide a dog is the perfect Christmas gift, think it over carefully and do not make an impulsive decision. Pets are a 10- to 20-year commitment. They are not toys that can be put in the corner when the thrill is gone. Every year countless pets end up in shelters because their owners were not prepared to adopt them in the first place. This is a big commitment. Take your time and do your homework before choosing a pet, and then choose a shelter or breeder that is reputable.
If you are looking to make a difference in the lives of animals this year, there are shelters, rescues, and animal hospitals which take in orphaned pets and are in great need of donations. Sadly, millions of pets each year are dropped off at these places and the staff and volunteers always make sure they get what they need. They often work with little or no funding so donations of money and supplies are greatly appreciated.
Karen Newsham is owner of Happy Tails Pet Care Services and has more than 20 years of experience with domestic animals. For response to reader questions or comments, e-mail karennewsham@comcast.net.