Kansas State University
Keep the holiday season cheerful by protecting pets from potential hazards.
Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian at the Kansas State University Hill's Pet Health and Nutrition Center, cautions pet owners about the unexpected dangers that celebrations of the season can present to curious animals.
"Homes are often decked for the holidays, and many decorations and wrapping items have the potential to cause harm if ingested, bitten or knocked over," Nelson said. "These include items such as ribbons, tinsel, hooks, electrical cords, candles, oil lamps, potpourri, ornaments and wreaths."
If pets ingest holiday plants, it can cause anything from minor gastrointestinal irritation to life-threatening toxicity. Nelson says to keep mistletoe, holly, amaryllis, balsam, pine and cedar out of reach.
Certain water additives for Christmas trees can also be toxic to pets.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provides a list of plants toxic to dogs and cats on its website.
Holiday festivities might be fun for people, but Nelson said they can be stressful for pets. Strangers and crowds can make animals anxious, so Nelson advises keeping them in a comfortable, quiet place away from the commotion with a favorite toy or treat. Even if pets enjoy company, they should still have access to a room or crate in a calm area where guests won't disturb them.
For pets that are stressed by visitors, Nelson recommends consulting with a veterinarian about prescribing anxiolytics to help decrease the pet's anxiety until the visitors are gone.
"It's important to make sure pets have identification, like a collar with tags or a microchip," Nelson added. "That way, if they slip through the door and run away as guests enter or leave, the pet can be returned. It's critical for tags and microchips to have the most up-to-date contact information to help with reunification."
Many animal-related emergency visits during the holidays are due to pets eating something inappropriate, whether intentionally given to them or accidentally ingested.
"Fatty foods can lead to life-threatening pancreatitis," Nelson said. "This includes things like ham, gravy, fat trimmings from meat, turkey skin and dark meat, butter-laden potatoes, and other buttered vegetables."
Meat bones can cause life-threatening perforations of the gastrointestinal tract, especially poultry bones, which tend to splinter when chewed. Several small pieces can also lead to obstructions or tooth breakage.
Nelson encourages pet owners to exercise caution with foods and beverages that can be harmful to animals. Items to avoid that can pose serious health risks include chocolate, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, raw yeast dough, salty snacks, foods seasoned with garlic or onion powder, citrus stems, leaves, peels, fruits and seeds, dairy products, desserts or candies sweetened with xylitol, and alcoholic beverages.
"Securing all food items behind a pet-proof door and making sure trash cans are properly closed can help keep pets safe," Nelson said. "Strings, foil wrappers, stainless steel scrub pads, skewers and other items smell like the food they were used on and can be tempting for pets to ingest. These can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation."
If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, immediately call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 for guidance.