Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas dinners often mean extra treats and excitement for the family pets, but Bowser and Bozo may not be thankful for the extras in the long run. Remember, pets are as goofy as toddlers about trying everything.
Treats – While most meats, sweet potatoes, and certain vegetables are actually good for dogs, that picture changes completely when seasonings and spices are added. For instance, simple black pepper can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain in dogs and cats. Salt can cause the same problems plus lethargy, tremors and even seizures, coma or death in severe cases of overeating heavily salted table scraps.
Seasoned and/or spiced table scraps including gravy, sauces, dressing, and meat or poultry fat or skin should be kept away from pets. Extra-rich holiday food can be especially hard for pets to digest and can cause pancreatitis. Bones can cause choking or intestinal blockage.
Many foods healthy for people are poisonous to pets, including onions, raisins, and grapes. Many spices, including several traditional holiday spices like nutmeg are very toxic to dogs. As a rule, keep prepared table food, spiced desserts like pumpkin pie, and seasoned gravy away from pets; and instruct everyone else to do the same.
Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. Other sweets and baked goods also should be kept out of reach. Not only are they often too rich for pets; they may contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which has been linked to liver failure and death in dogs.
Dispose of carcasses and bones – and anything used to wrap or tie the meat, such as strings, bags and packaging – in a covered, tightly secured trash bag in a closed trash container outdoors or behind a closed door.
Watch sudden behavior changes, depression, pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your pet has any of these signs, call your veterinarian immediately, or the ASPCA Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661; note that a fee may apply.
Decorating – Holiday plants, lights, candles, and other decorations can pose risky temptations. Poinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe, balsam, pine, cedar, and holly are among the common holiday plants that can be dangerous and even poisonous to pets who eat them.
Breakable ornaments can cause injuries, and if swallowed can cause intestinal blockage or illness. Keep any ornaments, including those made from salt-based dough or other food-based materials, out of reach of pets.
Candles and oil lamps are attractive to pets as well as people. Never leave a pet alone in an area with a lit candle or lamp.
Tinsel, ribbons, wreaths, and other decorative materials can be tempting playthings. These items swallowed in whole or in part can cause choking or intestinal blockage.
Consider tying your Christmas tree to the ceiling or a door frame with fishing line to secure it. Water additives for Christmas trees can be hazardous if swallowed. Avoid adding to the water for your tree if you have pets in the house.
Liquid potpourris contain essential oils and other ingredients that can severely damage your pet’s mouth, eyes and skin. Non-liquid potpourris containing flowers, leaves, bark, herbs, and/or spices could cause problems if eaten.
Gatherings – Even pets that aren’t normally shy may become nervous in the hubbub of a holiday gathering. Pets should have access to a comfortable, quiet place – a room or crate – anytime they want to get away.
Elephants, dolphins, chimpanzees, dogs and humans are considered the smartest animals on Earth, but we’re the only ones to observe an entire month of excess. Take care of your elephants, dolphins and chimps the way you do your dog and yourself, so you can do it again next year.