Duncan wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!
Holiday pet-health hazards and how to avoid them
Emergency room visits skyrocket over the holidays. Emergency pet hospitals see a 372% increase in emergency visits every Christmas Eve over other days of the year, and that’s just the pets who got into the holiday chocolate not the many other holiday hazards! Be especially vigilant about:
Breakable ornaments: Pets love low-hanging Christmas ornaments. Don’t place glass or ceramic ornaments on low branches within easy reach of a dog’s wagging tail or a cat’s darting paw.
Homemade dough ornaments: Salt dough ornaments are a staple of preschool holiday craft projects. Children bring them home, but they’re potentially deadly to hungry dogs who may see them as a tempting snack.
Tinsel: Although less common than it used to be, cats love to play with it—and sometimes eat it—with potentially deadly consequences.
Christmas tree water: The water in Christmas tree stands may contain dangerous bacteria, algae, or fertilizers, and can sicken pets who drink it. Keep tree stands covered.
Electric cords: Puppies and kittens love to chew things, including electrical cords, which can burn or electrocute them if they manage to bite through the rubber coating so keep them tucked safely out of reach.
Chocolate: Chocolate contains toxins that can cause gastrointestinal, cardiac, and neurologic problems. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain the highest concentrations of toxins, although milk chocolate can also cause toxicity if large amounts are eaten.
Toxic plants: Many plants used in holiday arrangements, such as mistletoe, holly, and lilies, are toxic to pets when ingested.
Medications: Human prescription and over-the-counter medications are the most common causes of pet toxicities. Overnight visitors should keep the guest room door closed and all medications tucked safely away.
Miscellaneous snacks: Other human food items popular during the holidays are also toxic to pets, such as grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, garlic, onions, and xylitol (found in some peanut butter, sugar-free candy and gum), so stick to pet food and pet-safe treats.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact VCA Neshaminy Animal Hospital at 215-355-1116.