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The holidays can create special dangers for your pets. Here are a few tips to help keep your pets safe during this special time of year.
Things to keep in mind
Increased activity and visitors during the holiday season can upset your pet's routine. Try to keep your pet on his regular schedule for feeding and exercise and be sure he gets plenty of love.
If you are planning to take your pet with you when visiting friends and relatives during the holiday season, be sure to contact them in advance to find out if your pet is welcome. Because of the excitement during this season, it might be best for you and your pet to board your pet or hire a reputable pet sitter.
Alcoholic beverages, holiday treats such as chocolates, rich, fatty food scraps, and bones can be harmful or toxic to pets. Keep your pet on his regular diet and caution visitors against giving your pet 'special treats.'
Never put ribbons or yarn around your pet's neck and do not allow your pet to play with plastic or foil wrappings or six-pack beverage holders.
Cover or tack down electrical cords.
Food Hazards
As mentioned above, there are several foods that are harmful to pets. Some are more readily known than others. In fact, did you know that the following are all harmful if consumed in large quantities? And remember -- large quantities are relative to the size of your animal!
Alcoholic beverages
Avocado
Chocolate (baker's semi-sweet, milk)
Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
Fatty foods
Garlic and garlic powder
Grapes and raisins
Hops (used in home brewing)
Macadamia nuts
Moldy or spoiled foods
Onions and onion powder
Salt
Yeast dough
Other Hazards
Food isn't the only holiday -- or cold weather -- hazard that our pets face. Again, the list below may contain a few surprizes:
Antifreeze
Batteries
Christmas tree preservative
Electrical cords
Holiday decorations (ornament hooks, tinsel, string, etc)
Holiday foods (see above)
Holiday plants (see next section for a common holiday plant)
Ice melts
Liquid potpourris
Medications
Rodenticides
What about the Euphorbia pucherrima and pets?
Or, as it's commonly called, the Poinsettia or Christmas flower
There may be some good news concerning this holiday plant.
The plant itself is a showy shrub (ie a multiple-trunked woody plant) with long drooping branches, dark green leaves that are 3 to 6 inches ling, and red, white, pink, or variegated terminal bracts (ie modified leaves) surrounding small, yellow central flowers.
The toxic part includes the leaves, stems, and sap.
Signs of poisoning may include severe irritation of the mouth and esophagus. Coughing, choking, retching, and pawing at the mouth may also be seen. Vomiting, diarrhea, temporary blindness, renal failure, and intestinal cramping may also occur.
Note: Although this plant has long been considered highly toxic, research has failed to confirm this. Lethal toxicosis has not been produced in rats. And the Illinois Animal Poison Control Center reports that ingestion rarely causes a problem, even when entire plants are eaten.
However, while the plant may not be as deadly as has been thought, care should be taken with pets and the poinsettia -- irritation and other signs of poisoning can still occur.
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