How to Have a Safe Holiday Season with Your Pet

FOOD RELATED ITEMS
Your pet can get into some serious trouble with many of the holiday foods around at this time of year. Be aware of these food items and be sure to keep them well out of reach:

CHOCOLATE/COFFEE/TEA
Chocolate, coffee, and tea all contain a harmful substance called xanthine, which causes nervous system and/or urinary system damage and heart muscle stimulation. Chocolate, especially unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate, contains a substance called theobromine that is dangerous for your dog. [click here for more information.]

BONES
Bones from cooked fish, meat, or poultry can be dangerous if swallowed. Even small cooked bones can splinter causing tearing in your dog's intestinal tract. Be sure to keep cooked bones away from your dog. Uncooked bread dough can expand in your dog's stomach producing gas in her digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of her stomach or intestines. Meat juices on plastic or aluminum foil left out can be very tempting to your pet. If he eats the plastic or foil wrap, it can cause choking or an obstruction in his intestines. If ingested, meat-soaked strings from roasts can cause a surgical emergency called a "linear string foreign body" in the intestines.

UNCOOKED BREAD DOUGH
Uncooked bread dough can expand in your dog's stomach producing gas in her digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of her stomach or intestines.

POISONOUS PLANTS
Plants can make your home more festive for the holidays with their green leaves and bright red flowers. It's important though to be aware that many of the plants in your home during the holidays can be poisonous to your pet.

Holly - If ingested, holly (leaves and berries) causes stomach upset and can be potentially fatal to both dogs and cats.

Mistletoe - Mistletoe upsets stomachs and can cause heart collapse.

Poinsettas - Poinsettas have an irritating sap that can cause blistering in the mouth and stomach upset.

Click here for a List of Toxic Plants.

DECORATIONS AND WRAPPING
The holidays are hectic and many changes take place around your home that may create situations you aren't accustomed to watching for.

CANDLES
Be very careful with candles. Candles on end tables are well within reach of your dog's tail and can get knocked over in all the excitement and burn your dog or start a fire. Cat's can jump up and knock candles over . Never leave lit candles unattended or within reach of your pet.

POTPOURRI
Potpourri contains oils that can be toxic to your pet if eaten.

SNOW GLOBES
Snow globes often contain antifreeze, which is poisonous.

RIBBONS/YARN/STRING
Ribbons, yarn, and string can cause an intestinal obstruction in your pet and bunching of the intestine along the length of the string. These conditions require surgery and can be fatal.

ADHESIVES
Adhesives and glues can be toxic and are often attractive to pets.

GIFTS
Batteries for toys or other gifts can be toxic and cause intestinal obstruction. Be sure to keep them in a safe place until you are ready to use them. Rawhide Chews or other edible items wrapped as presents and left under the tree can be very tempting to your dog. Many companies often wrap rawhide chews and other pet gifts in ribbon. Make sure to remove ribbons or ties before you give these gifts to your dog. Perfumes and after-shaves contain ethanol (alcohol) and perfumes also contain essential oils which can be very toxic to pets if swallowed.

CHRISTMAS TREES
Be sure to place your Christmas tree in a sturdy stand, and if you have a very active pet that might knock it over, a good idea is to attach the tree securely to a window or wall with something like fish line. Tinsel can cause blockages in your pet's stomach and intestine, which often require surgery to remove. If you have a young pet that likes to get into things, it may be best to leave tinsel off the tree altogether. Angel hair, flocking, and artificial snow are mildly toxic to your pet and if eaten in larger amounts can also cause a blockage in the intestine. Chewing on electrical cords, including cords of Christmas tree lights can cause problems for your pet ranging from burned mouths, to electrical shock, to death by electrocution.

TIPS TO REDUCE STRESS FOR YOUR PET DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Reduce stress by keeping your pet's feeding and exercise routine on a consistent schedule. Extra holiday activity and travel may be stressful to your pet. Dogs typically pant more when they feel stressed. Keep fresh water available for him to drink. Holiday guests and other activity can be very stressful and even frightening to many animals. They can also trigger illness and intestinal upset. Make sure your pet has a safe place to retreat in your house. Also make sure your pet has on his I.D. tags in case he darts out the door when guests come and go.

IF YOUR PET HAS ANY PROBLEM DURINGTHE HOLIDAY, WE ARE HERE TO HELP.  NEW HAVEN CENTRAL HOSPITAL IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY EVERY DAY INCLUDING HOLIDAYS.

 IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY YOU MUST CALL (203) 865-0878.

E-MAIL IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT CHECKED ON A DAILY BASIS