Happy Holidays! Don't let this year turn into your pet's Christmas nightmare.

 

 

Everybody loves holidays and pets are no exception. But because there are many changes in our household routines, there's potential for danger—and pets can't think ahead like we can. Keep these ideas in mind to help everyone—including pets—enjoy a happy, healthy holiday season!

• Avoid glass holiday ornaments—on trees or elsewhere—that can break and cut paws.
• Dangling electric cords can be very enticing. Chewed electric cords can electrocute a pet, so keep them out of reach.
• Keep batteries out of reach. They contain acids that can cause chemical burns.

Foods are a temptation to people and animals alike and we all have to take care to eat food that are healthy—in moderate portions. Dogs are known for their big appetites, so help them by watching these special items:

• Rich and fatty table foods can trigger pancreatitis in pets—inflammation of the pancreas.
• Chocolate can increase heart rate, cause tremors and excitation and serious illness and death, depending on the quantity eaten.
• Uncooked bread dough can be fatal to a dog. The animal's body heat can cause the dough to rise in the stomach and cause severe pain and bloat. The dough can expand several times its original size.
• Some types of foods cause sickness in dogs. These include grapes, raisins, coffee grounds, onions, alcoholic beverages and some holiday plants like poinsettias.

Published 12/07/07