Holiday Hazards for Pets

The holidays are just around the corner. The time between Halloween and New Years is very busy. Along with all the food, friends and family come many hazards for your pets. A little planning and prevention can help make this a festive and happy time for everybody, rather than a time of stress and heartache.

I think the most frequent problems seen with dogs and cats are vomiting and diarrhea. Usually, this is because all the wonderful foods are very rich and extremely tempting. When the pet is not used to this type of food, the digestive system often rebels. The vomiting and diarrhea can be very severe and may require hospitalization.

The best plan of action is to allow your pet access only to its regular food. Advise guests not to feed your pets even small amounts of people food. Keep your pet out of the kitchen and dining areas while food is out.

There are many hazards during the holidays. These include:

Foods: Many foods that are great treats for people are toxic to dogs and cats.

• Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages are a common part of many family traditions. For dogs and cats, even small amounts can cause intoxication due to their relatively small size. It is easy for them to consume enough to get alcohol poisoning, go into a coma and possibly die from respiratory failure. The best course of action is to keep all unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot reach them.
• Chocolate and coffee: These items contain caffeine and theobromine, types of compounds known as methylxanthines. As with people, these act as stimulants in dogs and cats. However, pets are not able to metabolize these compounds as well as humans can. This means that a relatively small amount may cause severe problems. Signs are usually seen within 1 to 4 hours after ingestion. Symptoms can include: vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, diuresis, muscle tremors, arrhythmias, hyperthermia, seizures, coma and death. There is no specific antidote. Treatment is aimed at removing the compound from the body and supportive care as needed. Only one half ounce of unsweetened chocolate is toxic to a 5 pound dog.
• Grapes and raisins: These are often present in treats and in things like fruitcake and cookies. The toxic mechanism is not yet known, but some dogs only need very small amounts of grapes or raisins to develop symptoms. Most dogs with grape/raisin toxicity show symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea within 6 – 12 hours of ingestion. Symptoms progress to include depression, anorexia, colic, dehydration, decreased urination, and death. The toxin appears to cause the death of kidney cells.
• Sweets: Xylitol is a sweetener found in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and toothpastes. In the dog, xylitol causes massive insulin release leading to severely low blood sugar. The compound also causes liver failure in dogs. Xylitol toxicity is a relatively recent observation and not a lot is yet known. Three to four pieces of some gum products can contain 1 gram of xylitol, enough to be toxic to a 22-pound dog. Keep candy away from your pets.
• Fatty Foods: Because most pets are fed a prepared commercial food, their digestive system is not accustomed to consuming the rich foods around during the holidays. It is common for them to develop vomiting and diarrhea after eating something unusual. Regularly, a problem called pancreatitis results from this dietary indiscretion. Usually hospitalization and moderately aggressive care is required.
• Garbage: Dogs especially like to get into the garbage or compost pile to scavenge some extra treats. Often the food they ingest is spoiled. Food poisoning is a frequent problem after this dietary indiscretion. If the pet is lucky, that is all they will get. Often, the food is on other, indigestible objects that are also consumed. These often cause problems like intestinal obstructions for which only surgery can be curative.
• Bones: Feeding your pet raw (or cooked) bones may seem like a good treat and a natural option. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, that might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.
• Salt: Ingestions of large amounts of salt can cause dehydration, increased thirst, and life threatening electrolyte imbalances.
• Garlic and onions: These common foods contain a compound which denatures hemoglobin and causes red blood cells to break apart in dogs and cats.
• Macadamia nuts: These nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.
• Yeast dough: Baking is common around the holidays. Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Keep your pet from consuming uncooked yeast dough.

Toxic plants and flowers: Many plants and flowers decorate our homes during the holidays. Some are extremely toxic, others are not. The best plan is to keep your pets from eating any of the plants.

• Poinsettia: Historically, this plant has been considered highly toxic. However, poinsettia is not likely to cause serious problems. Gastrointestinal (GI) upset is expected.
• Christmas cactus: For most animals, ingesting this plant will cause GI upset and discomfort. However, older pets and those with other medical problems may have effects that are more serious.
• Mistletoe: Because mistletoe is a semi parasitic vine, it can take on some of the toxic properties of its host plant. Symptoms of depression and vomiting are most common. However, depending on the type of mistletoe and its host plant, more serious problems such as low blood pressure and cardiovascular collapse are possible.
• American holly: This plant contains methylxanthines of the same type that are in chocolate along with other toxins. GI upset and depression are more common due to the other toxins noted above. Large amounts of this plant would need to be ingested for the methylxanthine toxicity to occur.
• Lilies: All varieties can cause kidney failure in cats. Depression, vomiting and diarrhea are also seen.
• Bulbs: Many plant bulbs, such as tulips, Lily of the valley, oleander, kalanchoe and azaleas are spring and summer plants that can be deadly to pets if ingested in large enough quantities

Candles: Candles can be very dangerous with pets around. It is easy for dogs and cats to knock a candle over and start a fire in the house. It takes only minutes for a fire to consume your home. Usually cats are more curious than dogs and more likely to be burned directly by a candle. It is common for a cat to have singed whiskers or fur from sniffing a candle. However, it is also common for them to get burned. Use common sense with candles. Position them so pets cannot gain access to them. Never leave a candle unattended.

Guests: Most households will have guests during the holidays. Your guests will not be used to having your pet around and the security measures needed to keep your pet safe. Train and supervise your guests while at your house.

• Watch your pets around the doors. Pets often escape and then are hit by vehicles when people are not used to normal door etiquette with your pet. Make sure your pet has proper identification on it with current information. It is recommended to have 2 forms of identification; a tag and a microchip will help your pet be returned if it escapes.
• Many pets can become nervous around visitors, especially excited, small children. Supervise your pet closely. If it is not doing well around the guests, it should be removed from the situation so it does not bite a person (children are at highest risk). This will help avoid a trip to the emergency room for a person. By the way, do not forget to think about the emotional and liability problems a dog or cat bite can cause. Be prepared to remove your pet from company before a problem occurs. When this happens, guests should not be able to get to the pet either.
• Provide your pet a special quiet place to retreat to if it wants.
• Many medications are around due to normal prescriptions, cold and flu medications, and other over the counter medications. If these medications are not properly secured, a pet may consume them and have serious to life threatening complications. For example, a single dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) can easily kill a cat in a very short time. This is a common scenario for veterinary clinics.
• Discuss with your guests not to feed your pets at all. The rich foods are a common cause of GI upset, not to mention the extra calories that your pet should not have. Additionally, many people foods can be very toxic to pets.

Decorations: Many holiday decorations are potential hazards for pets.

• Most sharp or breakable ornaments can cut pets when stepped or chewed on. If these objects are eaten, direct puncture of the GI tract is possible.
• Many objects are of a size that can become lodged in the throat, stomach or intestines and require surgical care.
• Some decorations like ribbons and tinsel are of special concern. These long thin objects are often eaten. It is common for them to ball up in the stomach, get lodged under the tongue, and/or cause an intestinal obstruction and at times, catastrophic trauma to the intestines.
• Liquid potpourris: These oils can provide wonderful holiday aromas, but can also be toxic. Ingestion can cause ulcerations in the mouth and esophgus. Skin exposure can be very irritating and cause oral exposure secondary to grooming.

Travel: Plan ahead when traveling with pets.

• Make sure your pet has proper identification in the form of tags and a microchip.
• Make sure to have proper safety restraints (such as leashes, collars, seat belts, kennels, muzzles) available as needed for your travel arrangements.
• Make sure all the required vaccines are current.
• Make sure you have an extra supply of any required medications. Travel delays are very common.
• When flying, an interstate health certificate is required along with proof of vaccinations.
• Each airline handles pets differently. Airlines often have specific requirements such as temperature acclimation. Some may have a restriction of the number allowed on a flight. Check with the airline for their requirements.

Christmas trees: Christmas trees and similar decorations hold hazards we do not often think about.

• Christmas tree fertilizers added to the water can cause GI upset. Make sure the water container is not accessible to pets if these products are used.
• The pine needles are very sharp. If a pet ingests them, they could puncture the gastrointestinal organs.
• Electric cords: Curious dogs and cats often chew electric cords in the tree and around the house. This can cause severe electrical burns, electrocution, and fire. (The scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation comes to mind.) All temporary electric cords should be kept inaccessible to pets for the safety of the pet and of the people in the house. Cords should be unplugged at the wall if possible when the area is not supervised. Monitor the condition of the cords every time they are used.
• Keep the trees secured to the wall. Trees are often knocked down with a climbing cat or dog or a happy big dog tail. Wires attaching the top of the tree to the wall or ceiling can save many headaches with pets around.

Remember that even the most mild mannered pet may bite when nervous, scared or injured. Take appropriate precautions to keep you and other people safe.

The list of possible risks is almost endless. It is best to try to anticipate the risks so these can be minimized or eliminated. A small amount of prevention will help your family avoid tragedy during this festive time of year. Look around your house for areas of specific concern.

Also, remember that cold weather hazards are increasing during this same season. Toxins such as antifreeze, ice melts/road salt and mouse/rat baits are usually more prevalent, so patrolling the normal environment must not be overlooked.

More information on the toxicity problems listed here, as well as many others, can be found at ASPCA Pet Poison Control

All of us at Bobtown Pet Clinic wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

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