Avoid these Holiday Hazards for Dogs

Holidays are a fun and festive time for your family. However, this time can be dangerous for your pet. During this busy season of constant distractions, it can be easy to overlook potential doggie dangers.

Watch Out for These Top Holiday Hazards for Pets

·         Winter Plants

Though pretty, these holiday plants can be poisonous and potentially deadly:

o    Christmas tree needles can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, and trembling if ingested.

o    Holly can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

o    Mistletoe can also cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, in addition to hallucinations, difficulty breathing, collapse, and death.

o    Poinsettias are not toxic but can cause vomiting if consumed in large quantities.

·         Holiday Ornaments

Bright, colorful ornaments often resemble favored pet toys. If your dog chews on these sharp, fragile objects their mouth, throat, and intestinals can be severly injured.

·         Tinsel

Shiny tinsel can attract curious canines. If consumed, it can cause serious injury, bunching in intestines, and requiring emergency surgery.

·         Holiday Lighting

Twinkling, dangling lights can draw in your curious canine. For those that love to chew, this can be especially dangerous, resulting in electrical shock. Keep holiday lighting and wiring well-secured and out of sight whenever possible, using them with a grounded, 3-prong extension cord for safety.

·         Candles

Pets can get serious burns from candles or knock them over, creating a fire hazard. To enjoy candles safely, keep them in hard to reach spots that are inaccessible by pets.

·         Gift Ribbon

Ribbon “collars” might look cute, but they can quickly become a choking hazard. If chewed and swallowed, they can also twist through the intestines, requiring emergency surgery. Always discard gift detritus quickly.

·         Holiday Food
Cautioning visiting friends and family members about the dangers of feeding table scraps to your pup is essential. Many favored holiday treats are dangerous for your doggie.

o    Chocolate can be deadly. (Link-What-To-Do-If-Eaten-Halloween-Candy)

o    Fat trimmings can cause painful, potentially deadly pancreatitis.

o    Bones could choke your pet.

o    Nuts in cookies and other treats can be toxic.

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This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/avoid-these-holiday-hazards-for-dogs/

Are Thanksgiving Leftovers Safe for My Dog?

During the holidays, you want your pooch to be part of the fun. Unfortunately, especially on Thanksgiving, owners tend to go a bit overboard, feeding Fido a cornucopia of (human) treats not meant for the delicate doggie digestive system.

Are You Feeding Your Dog Hazardous Foods?

These holiday treats are especially dangerous for dogs:

·         Chocolate
Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, and can be fatal in large amounts. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous. Smaller pets are especially at risk of overdose. All chocolate should be securely stashed and off-limits.

·         Sweets
No amount of candy is good for your canine, as it can cause gastrointestinal distress. However, candy made with some artificial sweeteners is worse than others. Beware of candy and gum made with the artificial sweetener Xylitol, which is highly toxic and deadly to dogs.
(Link-Halloween-Candy-Dangers-Blog)

·         Baked goods
Baked goods contain many dangerous ingredients for pets. These include spices doggies cannot digest and yeasted products that can produce painful gas and dangerous bloating.

·         Turkey products
Turkey is not toxic. However, the fat in turkey skin can give your pooch painful, potentially life-threatening pancreatitis. Spices can irritate your dog’s digestive tract, and seasonings such as onion and garlic can be toxic. Only skinned turkey, plain and unseasoned, cooked based on the guidance of your vet, deboned, and served in small amounts is safe for your four-legged friend.

·         Veggies & fruits
Many fruits and vegetables that are healthy for humans are poisonous for pets, particularly onions, macadamia nuts, raisins, and grapes.

This Thanksgiving, Keep People Food Away from Pets

If you want your pet to join in on the holiday smorgasbord, make or buy special treats specially formulated for them at your area grocer or doggie delicatessen.

Dog Dine & Dash?

At the holidays, with visitors aplenty and kids galore, your canine companion could have easier access to food. Keep a wary eye. Dogs are opportunists. If you fear your pet has been poisoned, contact the ASPCA poison control and your vet immediately. Watch carefully for signs such as behavioral changes, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain. Prompt attention saves lives.

Big dinner? Nix the worries of holiday events while still keeping your pet compassionately cared for and close-by. Schedule holiday boarding at DoGone Fun today.

This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/are-thanksgiving-leftovers-safe-for-my-dog/