Holiday Pet Toxicity: How to Protect Your Pets!

The Holiday Season is in full swing! No matter which winter holiday you celebrate including:

• Saint Nicholas Day (Christian)

  

• Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexican)
• St. Lucia Day (Swedish)
• Hanukkah (Jewish)
• Christmas Day (Christian)
• Three Kings Day/Epiphany (Christian)
• Boxing Day (Australian, Canadian, English, Irish)
• Kwanzaa (African American)
• Omisoka (Japanese) or
• Yule (Pagan)

it IS “the Best Time of the Year!”

Holiday Pet Toxicity: Tips to Protect Your Pets!

As you enjoy the holiday celebrations, remember to protect the pets who share your home! Keep reading below to learn the tips for protecting your pets against holiday pet toxicity! (Also share this information with all family members and guests!)

Holiday Drinks

• All Alcohol including:
  • Apéritifs
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee Liqueurs
  • Cordials
  • Liquors
  • Wines

Holiday Foods

Last month, we guided you through the Thanksgiving Foods to avoid feeding your dog. This month, we will guide you through the Christmas Holiday foods your dog – and other pets – should avoid eating to effectively prevent Holiday pet toxicity and an emergency visit to the vet hospital!

• Avocado
• Bacon
• Baked goods (most baked goods today contain an artificial sweetener, xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs)
• Blue Cheese
• Butter & Oils
• Caffeinated Drinks including Coffee, Tea, Energy Drinks and Sodas
• Candy (most candy today contains an artificial sweetener, xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs)
• Casseroles
• Coffee Grounds

  

• Cheese & Spreads including Blue Cheese, Stilton & Roquefort
• Chocolate (milk, dark & white chocolates), Cocoa & Chocolate Coins (or Jewish Gelt, chocolate coins given to children at Hanukkah)
• Christmas Plum/Puddings, Mince Pies & Fruitcake
• Citrus Fruits including Lemons & Limes
• Cooked Bones
• Corn Cobs
• Desserts
• Dips & Spreads
• Dressings

  

• Eggnog
• Fatty Meats & Foods
• Fruit Juice
• Grapes, Raisins, Currants & Sultanas (dried white seedless grapes known as golden raisins)
• Gravy
• Ham
• Hops
• Latkes (Jewish Pancakes/Waffles, Cookies or Fritters)
• Meat Fat Drippings, Scraps & Skin
• Mashed Potatoes
• Milk and Cream
• Mushrooms
• Mustard & Mustard Seeds

  

• Nuts including Macadamia, Pistachios, Black Walnuts & Pecans
• Oils & Butter
• Onions, Chives, Leeks & Shallots
• Pumpkin Pie
• Raw Yeast Dough (not yet baked)
• Rugelach (Jewish pastry)
• Salty Snacks/Foods
• Sausage
• Spices including sage, baking powder/soda and nutmeg
• Stuffing
• Sufganiyot (Jewish doughnuts)
• Sugary snacks and desserts (which may contain an artificial sweetener, xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs)

Learn the “21 Christmas Staples You Shouldn’t Let Your Dog Near” (Infographic).

Christmas Trees

Real Christmas Trees:

• Pine Needles
• Potential Pesticides which can be deadly to kittens and puppies
• Tree Stand Water which may contain bacteria and chemical preservatives
• Tree Sap is also an irritant to pets

Any Christmas Tree:

• Imitation Snow or Flocking
• Garland, Tinsel & Icicles
• Ornament Hangers
• Glass Ornaments
• Salt Dough Ornaments
• Popcorn Strands
• Electrical Lights

Holiday Plants

• Amaryllis
• Christmas Cactus
• Holly & Berries
• Ivy
• Lilies (especially with cats)
• Mistletoe & Berries
• Poinsettia (while less toxic than once thought, it’s better to be safe than sorry!)

Holiday Decorations

• Electrical Wires & Extension Cords
• Lit Menorahs & Candles
• Knick-knacks
• Ribbons & Bows
• Potpourri
• Scented Oils
• Snow Globes

Other Holiday Risks to Pets

• Silica Gel Packets typically found in packaging
• Batteries (old and new)
• Small Toys & Dreidels
• Hot & Dirty Pans
• Full Garbage & Trash Cans (keep all trash securely protected from curious noses and mouths including house pets and wildlife!)
• Wrapping or Crepe Paper

AKC: “Holiday Safety for Dogs”

A Few Last (Priceless) Cautions

• Remember, it takes just a moment for your dog, cat or other pet to get into serious trouble during the busy holidays! When cooking, wrapping gifts or entertaining guests, consider putting your dog into a crate or a closed-off room to keep them protected and out of danger! Baby gates that are high enough your dog cannot jump over can include your pet in the festivities but also be safe at the same time,

  

  especially when your back is turned.

• When it comes to toxicity, smaller dogs and pets are at greater risk and faster with even small amounts of a toxic food or item! So again, keep your pet safe and contained away from any holiday hazards!
• No one expects an emergency to happen; but when it does, time is of the essence when it comes to your pet’s life! Keep the following numbers posted in case you need them:
  • Poison Control:
    • Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply)
    • Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 (a $75 fee applies)
  • Your Local Emergency Vet/Hospital

Want more tips? Click here for the “39 Xmas Tips for Pets” Infographic.