by Julie Wenger Watson
The holidays can be joyful, but anyone who’s ever white-knuckled it through three consecutive Thanksgiving meals or endured a tense “celebratory” evening with the in-laws knows they can also be stressful. Lack of sleep, rich foods and boisterous crowds can leave people feeling worn out, but for our pets, the consequences can be dire.
As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to brush up on ways to keep our animals safe while we enjoy the festivities.
Top troubles
In addition to all of the regular health issues pet owners deal with throughout the year, the holidays can present particular challenges and dangers to our animals.
“Gastrointestinal issues are generally the biggest issue we see around the holidays,” says Dr. Hans Gann, owner of Edgewood Veterinary Hospital in Tulsa.
According to Gann, GI upset in pets, such as vomiting and diarrhea, is most often caused by pets consuming rich or fatty foods that they aren’t accustomed to eating.
Dr. Sydney Chanel Price of Neel Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma City says many of the cases she sees during the holidays are tied to family gatherings and travel. Common issues include pancreatitis or intestinal blockages from pets sneaking party food outside their normal diet; injuries from pets escaping and being hit by cars; ingestion of toxic plants or medications in homes that aren’t “pet-proofed”; and bite wounds or other injuries from encounters with unfamiliar animals.
Hazards of holiday foods
Who doesn’t love the delicious treats that fill our homes during the holidays? Unfortunately, many of the foods people enjoy can cause serious intestinal upset — or worse — if our pets get into them.
“GI upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea, is a huge part of the illness we see around the holidays due to pets eating things they are not accustomed to or ingesting toxic foods in general,” says Gann. “Illness may be mild and self-limiting, or much more severe, such as cases of pancreatitis, which are much more detrimental and life-threatening.”
Gann says that most cases aren’t about pet owner negligence, but more often the result of a pet getting into the garbage or scavenging off of plates when unsupervised.
“Foods that are common around the holidays which can cause illness include alcohol, raw dough, macadamia nuts, fat trimmings and bones,” he says. “Aside from causing GI upset or possible obstruction, turkey and chicken bones are especially problematic as they can splinter and poke the lining of the GI tract when consumed.”
According to Gann, common foods like onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, chocolate (specifically dark chocolate), caffeine, and anything containing the sugar substitute Xylitol can be toxic to pets and should be kept safely away from them.
“A good rule to keep pets safe during the holidays is ‘no table scraps,’” says Price.
Dangers of holiday décor
While most people are aware of many of the foods that may be toxic or unhealthy for their animals, pet owners often overlook the dangers of holiday decorations.
“Tinsel on trees, poinsettias, lilies, wrapping paper and plastic, ornaments — most of these cause varying degrees of intestinal upset or carry a risk for intestinal obstruction,” says Price. “Lilies are toxic to cats. All parts of the plant and the water they may be held in are toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure.”
Gann would also add mistletoe and holly to the list of plants that can cause irritation and GI upset. In addition, he points out that there are a number of potential hazards linked to Christmas trees.
“Glass ornaments can cause cuts to pads and the mouth, if chewed. Ornaments, in general, can cause a choking hazard if chewed or ingested,” he notes. “Animals can chew on Christmas tree lights, cords, etc., which can cause electrical burns or electrocution.”
In addition, Gann says that chewing on pine needles can be irritating to the stomach and cause nausea and anorexia (loss of appetite). Generally speaking, the tree water itself should be safe unless it’s been treated with chemicals.
When to take your pet to the vet
Knowing when to seek help for your pet is vital to their health. Part of that decision is knowing whether the situation calls for an emergency visit or if it can safely wait until regular office hours.
“In general, I tell people that if they are concerned, then we are concerned. If the pet has eaten something known to be toxic, then the pet should be seen immediately. If the pet is suffering from mild illness, is able to eat, drink, and keep down food and water, energy level is normal, then they are probably fine to wait until their primary care veterinarian is open,” says Gann.
“On the other hand, if the pet is lethargic or listless, is having severe vomiting and diarrhea, or is unable to keep down food and water, then they should be seen as soon as possible. Dehydration and the coinciding electrolyte imbalances are major contributors to the severity of illness.”
Price advises pet owners to seek emergency care “if your pet is hit by a car, gets into a dog fight, ingests something toxic, refuses to eat or drink along with lethargy, experiences vomiting and/or diarrhea, or experiences any excessive bleeding, defined as lasting longer than two minutes.”
Sidebar
Safety tips from the pros
- Make sure your pet’s medications are refilled before the holidays.
- Make sure your dog has proper ID — collar and updated microchip.
- Talk to your vet about anxiety medications before the holidays if your pet will need help staying calm during travel or with large gatherings.
- Keep human medications locked up and out of your pet’s reach. Ensure guest room doors are closed.
