As overwhelming as winter holidays can be for people, they are potentially even more challenging for our pets. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and other holidays mean a flood of stimuli with possible risks for our beloved dogs and cats.
Nutrition No-No List
Although it might be tempting to feed your pet from the table as a holiday treat, dangers include gastrointestinal (GI) distress or, worse, potential poisoning.
“Fatty foods such as cheese, gravy, and turkey skin are hard for animals to digest and cause vomiting and diarrhea,” said Dr. Leticia Fanucci, clinical assistant professor, behavioral medicine service, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “In addition, a lot of the human foods are toxic for pets, such as onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, yeasty doughs, and artificial sweeteners.”
Table scraps such as turkey bones can be dangerous for pets even if they don’t contain toxic ingredients, said Dr. Jennifer Sperry, licensed veterinarian and medical director at Independence Pet Group. “Many candies contain chocolate and xylitol, which are hazardous for both dogs and cats,” she said. “Remind guests and children not to feed scraps or candy to pets.”
Pet owners need to make sure animals do not have access to risky foods during the holidays by putting food away and keeping pets busy with their own food and toys, said Fanucci.
Some treats are specifically safe for pets, said Dr. Gary Richter, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, but unless you are sure, it’s best to keep pets away from holiday treats and foods.
Dangerous Decorations
Outdoor and indoor holiday decorations can create problems for pets.
“If parts of decorations are ingested, they can cause GI upset or even obstructions that could lead to life-threatening complications,” said Richter. “In addition, if dogs or cats bite or chew on electrical decorations, there is a risk of electrocution.”
Pay special attention to lights and decorations that have electrical wires exposed, said Fanucci. “In addition to the risk of choking or obstruction, some materials can also be toxic to pets, so keep decorations up and out of reach. Puppies and kittens are more prone to this type of issue.”
Richter said, “Indoors, cats have a tendency to want to eat tinsel. And the pine needles and water from a Christmas tree are filled with pine sap, which is an oral and GI irritant that can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.”
Not just at holiday time, scented candles and essential-oil diffusers are also a potential hazard, said Richter. “They can be respiratory irritants and lead to coughing or airway irritation. In addition, lighted candles are a fire hazard if a dog or cat knocks them over.”
Safe Spaces
With all the stimulation during the holidays, it’s important to be mindful of your pet’s stress level, said Sperry. “Holidays can be a stressful time for pets. Try to maintain their regular routine as much as possible to minimize stress. Avoid forcing your pets to interact with guests if the animals are showing signs of anxiety such as hiding, panting, or trembling.”
Sperry recommends creating a safe space for your pet, away from the increased activity and noise.
“It’s helpful to establish a safe, quiet space where your pets can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. This could be a separate room, a crate, or a designated area with their favorite toys and blankets,” she said. “Make sure to inform guests about this safe space and ask them to avoid disturbing your pets while they are in it.”
