Holiday Pet Safety Tips: Keep the Season Merry and Bright for Your Pets

The holidays bring joy, celebration, and plenty of delicious treats, but some festive traditions can pose hidden dangers for our pets. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), many common holiday items can put your pet’s health at risk. With a little extra awareness and precaution, you can keep the season safe and stress-free for the whole family.

Here’s what pet parents should watch out for this time of year:

Table Scraps and Bones

Holiday meals often leave behind tempting leftovers, but turkey and ham bones should never be given to pets. Smaller bones and bone fragments can lodge in the throat or digestive tract, causing serious medical emergencies. Rich foods like gravy, fats, and poultry skin can also trigger gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis.

Holiday Plants

Some festive plants look pretty, but they can be harmful if eaten.

• Holly and mistletoe are extremely poisonous to pets and should always be kept out of reach.

• Poinsettias are less toxic than commonly believed but may still cause mouth or stomach irritation.

Pine Needles and Christmas Trees

If you have a real tree or decorative greenery, regularly sweep up fallen pine needles. When ingested, they can puncture the intestines.Make sure your Christmas tree is securely anchored, especially if you have a playful cat or large dog.Tree water containing preservatives or additives can also cause stomach upset if pets drink it, so keep it inaccessible.

Sweets and Chocolate

Holiday candies are unhealthy for pets, but chocolate is especially dangerous. Chocolate contains theobromine, a caffeine-like compound that is toxic to pets. Signs of chocolate poisoning may include:

• Hyperexcitability

• Restlessness

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

Severe cases can be life-threatening. Keep all sweets, especially chocolate, stored safely away from your pets.

Electrical Cords

Chewing on electrical cords can cause severe burns and lead to dangerous fluid buildup in the lungs. Kittens and teething puppies are especially at risk. Secure exposed wires and consider using protective cord covers.

Ornaments, Ribbon, and Tinsel

Delicate ornaments should be hung higher on the tree, away from curious pets.Cats and kittens often see ribbon and tinsel as toys, but swallowing these items can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages requiring emergency surgery. Always supervise pets around string-like decorations.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can help ensure your pet stays healthy throughout the holiday season. If you suspect your pet has eaten something harmful or is showing signs of illness, call us immediately.

From all of us at Absecon Veterinary Hospital, we wish you and your pets a safe and joyful holiday season.