Holiday Foods & Decorations That Are Harmful to Pets – We can’t keep an eye on our pets every minute of the day, but at the holidays, when our homes are filled with decorations, tempting feasts, trees, plants, lights, and guests, it’s important to be aware of things that can be harmful or hazardous to our pets.
Holiday Foods and Decorations That Are Harmful to Pets
Foods
While we’re tempted to give our pets a holiday treat, it’s best to stick to treats that are meant for pets. People food can be harmful, so if you’re compelled to give your dog or cat a morsel of food, make sure it is safe for them to eat and keep it to a minimum. However, these foods or ingredients can be especially harmful or even fatal to a pet.
- Meat Bones – Never give cooked bones to a pet. Besides a choking hazard, they can splinter and cause damage to the mouth, throat, and intestines.
- Fatty foods – Not only does fat (like in turkey skin) cause digestive problems, but can ultimately lead to pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas.
- Salt – Foods containing sodium or nitrates and nitrites (such as in ham) can be toxic, causing anything from vomiting and diarrhea to tremors, seizures, and even death.
- Onions & garlic – In any form, these can be harmful & toxic to pets resulting in anemia and, in severe cases, can lead to organ damage or failure.
- Xylitol – This artificial sweetener found in cookies, candy, gum, and baked goods can cause blood sugar to drop and eventually lead to liver failure.
- Chocolate – All forms of chocolate are toxic, but especially dark and unsweetened. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death.
- Yeast dough – If ingested, can continue to rise in the stomach, causing bloat, bowel obstruction, or even alcohol poisoning as it ferments.
- Alcohol – Affects pets as it does humans – staggering, nausea, lethargy. But in a much smaller body, even a small amount can be deadly.
Holiday Decorations
Trees, plants, ornaments, lights, and ribbons are all part of holiday traditions but at the same time, can also be hazardous to pets.
- Christmas tree (real & artificial) – Can be mildly toxic. Oils from pine needles or toxins from artificial materials can irritate the mouth and stomach.
- Tree water – It’s best to cover the dish. Water may contain bacteria, fertilizer, or additives to keep the tree fresh.
- Lights and cords – If chewed, can cause electric shock and burns; unplug when not at home.
- Glass ornaments – Broken ornaments, if ingested, can lead to mouth injury and gastrointestinal bleeding and also cut tender paws.
- Tinsel & ribbon – At a minimum, ingesting either of these can cause stomach upset, but it can also lead to damage to the intestinal tract or intestinal blockage requiring surgery.
- Holiday plants – Poinsettias can cause mouth irritation, especially in cats. Mistletoe, holly, and berries, however, are more toxic and can result in a severe upset stomach, breathing problems, and seizures.
Trash
Since a pet’s keen sense of smell can draw them to the trash bag, it’s important to remove bags containing food scraps, carcasses, bones, wrappings from meat, ribbon, and any hazardous items in anticipation that your pet will be tempted to explore.
Contact your vet’s office or an emergency center immediately if you suspect that your pet has ingested something harmful.
If you live in the Durham or Hillsborough, NC area and have any questions, concerns, or a pet emergency, contact Dr. Jim Miller at My Hometown Vet. Call either location – Durham Animal Hospital (919)620-7387 or North Churton Animal Hospital (919)644-7387.
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