Beware: Holiday Hazards

We all enjoy this time of year, celebrating the holidays - Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa - and being with our loved ones, both human and four-legged. But holidays can also be hazardous to your pet's health, so here are a few reminders:

Poinsettias, Holly and Miseltoe are poisonous to pets and if you do have a pet it is recommended that you keep these out of your home, or at the very minimum out of reach.

Turkey is fine for dogs, in moderation. Do not feed turkey skin, fat or bones, especially cooked bones which can be deadly. Turkey fat and skin can cause a pancreatic attack because they are so rich.

Ribbon, tinsel, and gift wrap if consumed, can cause intestinal blockages. String-like decorations are particularly dangerous, as they can get wrapped around the intestine and require surgerical removal.

Chocolate can cause theobromine poisoning, which is an over-stimulation of the nervous system, and may be fatal. Keep all boxes of chocolates etc out of your pet's reach!

Alcoholic beverages - can cause alcohol poisoning or coma - so keep them out of reach.

Ornaments. Use ornaments your dog finds uninteresting. Easily-broken glass ornaments can cut your dog's paw or mouth. Instead of hooks, use decorative ribbon. In general, don't place decorations within your dog's reach or where it can climb or jump up to them.

Potpourri, aerosol fragrance, incense and simmer pots can cause nasal or respiratory irritation and burns. Use these only when your dog is not in the room. Potpourri can also lead to stomach upsets.

Decorative lights - Dogs can become tangled in the strands, leading to burns and cuts.

Christmas trees pose various hazards. Clean up pine needles frequently. They can be toxic when eaten by your pet. Anchor trees securely. Climbing cats and dogs with wagging tails can knock over your tree. Prevent your pet from drinking water in the tree stand if you have added preservative chemicals. These can be poisonous to pets. Also, stagnant water can contain bacteria, which may lead to vomiting and diarrhea if ingested.

Guests add to the noise, confusion and stress for your pets. Dogs can be stepped on, or unsupervised children can injure them. Pets can escape when visitors come and go. Guests are more likely to feed dogs than owners. Multiple guests each feeding 'just a little bite' adds up to quite a lot of food. Ask your guests not to feed your dog.

Wishing all Swanky Pup readers and their pets a very blessed and safe holiday!

(Sources for this article: Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue; American Humane; The Boxer Map)