Holiday Dangers for Pets

The holidays are full of things that pets find tempting including ornaments, tinsel, candles, and lots of people food. It's important to know holiday dangers for pets to help keep them safe. We 've compiled some potential dangers for your favorite furry friends that you can keep in mind through the end of the year.

Ornamental Dangers for Pets

Once the holiday season starts, plants, including poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, lilies, and even Christmas trees can be dangerous for both cats and dogs. Avoid lilies in your home as they are highly toxic: and tempting: to cats.

Poinsettias and other plants are also mildly toxic to pets and can cause intestinal issues and skin irritation. Signs of exposure to look for include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, licking lips, and skin irritations such as swelling, redness, and itching. While Christmas trees aren't in and of themselves toxic to animals, the needles, if ingested can cause an upset stomach so keep those needles picked up.

Holiday ornaments can also pose a danger to pets if they are ingested. Some common types of dÃ�cor dangers include lights, broken ornaments, and tinsel. Tinsel can get tangled up in the intestines and pose a particular danger to cats who love the shiny strings.

Dangerous Holiday Foods for Pets

Holiday foods including candy with chocolate can be deadly to pets. Chocolate, even in small amounts can be toxic or even deadly to dogs. Baked goods containing cocoa powder are especially toxic as cocoa powder is a concentrated form of chocolate.

Sugar-free candies are also extremely toxic to pets. Both cats and dogs are affected by xylitol, a common ingredient in sugar-free foods. Even a very small amount of xylitol can lead to low blood sugar levels, seizures, liver failure and death. Keep all sugar-free foods and holiday treats out of the reach of your pets.

How to Get Help if Needed

We hope you avoid these holiday dangers for pets. But if you need, contact Cimarron Animal Hospital during the day at 316-686-4713 if you suspect your pet has ingested something dangerous. You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline 24/7 at 855-764-7661. If you know your pet has eaten something toxic, contact a local emergency veterinary hospital.

End of Year Holiday Dangers for Pets

The holidays are typically a joyous time of the year, but there are some kinds of dangers for pets that must be considered. Keeping your pet save during the holidays isn't hard to do if you know what you need to look for. Hidden dangers to your pets can cause them to get sick, injured or in some cases, can be fatal.

7 Holiday Dangers for Pets to Avoid

Decorations can be a danger to pets. Plants such as mistletoe, and holly can be especially deadly to pets causing cardiovascular problems and lilies can cause kidney failure in cats.
Tinsel is tempting to cats and can cause bowel obstructions. It's best to avoid trimming the tree with these shiny bits of potential problems.
Cats especially love Christmas trees, and while you don't need to avoid trees, you should take steps to keep your cat safe including keeping tree water fresh.
Holiday foods can also be dangerous. Be sure to keep any sweets out of the reach of your pets. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener is deadly to dogs and is used in many sugar-free products. Chocolate, of course, should also be away from dogs.
Bones from turkeys should be placed in a trash can with a secure lid and while leftovers are yummy for you, they should not be given to your pet. People food is often too rich for pets and you may feed them something that can cause issues.
Everyone loves to gift their furry friend something special during the holidays, but be careful. Make sure you are giving them treats and toys that can't be choked on or broken into small pieces. Kong toys are great for dogs, and every kitty loves a little catnip.
As we start the new year, make sure your pet is inside if there are fireworks. Fireworks can cause severe anxiety in some pets and in attempting to run away from the sound, they can escape the safety of your yard.

Many holiday dangers for your pets can be avoided with some extra planning. For more tips check out the American Veterinary Medical Association.

What Happens if You Need a Vet

If you need a vet during the holidays, contact our office. If you're looking for a new veterinarian, we'd love to meet you and your pet to establish care. From the Cimarron Animal Hospital family to yours, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!