It's that time of year again, when our homes are filled with edible goodies, plants and decorations.
Most of us that have dogs include them in any celebrations.
What we need to realize is that holiday decorations, plants and certain foods can be hazardous to their health.
Check your home and yard to see if you might have any of these holiday plants that could pose a hazard if your dog were to chew on them.
Ivy, mistletoe, holly berries, balsam, cedar, Jerusalem cherry, bittersweet and crown of thorns.
Many of these plants are great in the yard for the birds, but not so great for Fido.
We often hang kissing balls made of mistletoe, so make sure they stay together and don't drop all over the floor, as the most toxic of all these plants are the pearly white berries of the mistletoe.
Also, Poinsettia plants can produce vomiting and diarrhea in your pet.
Not something that you want to see any time of the year! If you have a Christmas tree, you might try decorating with wooden ornaments, fabric or pine cones.
Glass ornaments, tinsel, wire ornament hangers, bows can cause choking and serious injury if chewed on.
If there is a new puppy in your home, keep electrical cords and batteries far away.
This would apply to kittens, also.
Another point to consider about Christmas trees - the tree stand is filled with water that eventually will be contaminated with bacteria.
Some dogs and cats think it's a new watering hole.
So, try to keep it away from your pets and small children that might try to crawl up to it and perhaps drink the water.
Dogs and cats may try to play under the tree, eventually climbing on the branches.
This could cause the tree to fall with all of your lovely ornaments.
If you have glass ornaments, then you will certainly have a mess to clean up, not to mention the danger of your pets getting cut.
So, anchor the tree and try to cover the tree stand.
(But don't forget to water the tree).
Keep all holiday candles out of the path of your pets.
The last thing that you want is a house fire or a burned pet, so, NEVER leave candles burning unattended.
Even if it's just for a few minutes.
Be considerate of your pets if you are having parties or friends stopping by.
Strangers can be upsetting to any dog or cat if it's not their normal routine.
Sometimes anything out of the ordinary can be upsetting, like if you move furniture around for a large gathering.
Remember, your animal companions don't know what holidays are.
Last, but certainly not least, Do Not give your dog chocolate.
It can be toxic to your dog! Also, no meat bones that can splinter and lodge in his throat or G.
I.
tract.
No fatty meats or poultry skin as this can cause pancreatitis, which can kill your dog if not treated.
By following a few common sense rules, your holiday season will not be ruined by an expensive veterinary visit or worse yet, an untimely death or your animal companion.
Most of us that have dogs include them in any celebrations.
What we need to realize is that holiday decorations, plants and certain foods can be hazardous to their health.
Check your home and yard to see if you might have any of these holiday plants that could pose a hazard if your dog were to chew on them.
Ivy, mistletoe, holly berries, balsam, cedar, Jerusalem cherry, bittersweet and crown of thorns.
Many of these plants are great in the yard for the birds, but not so great for Fido.
We often hang kissing balls made of mistletoe, so make sure they stay together and don't drop all over the floor, as the most toxic of all these plants are the pearly white berries of the mistletoe.
Also, Poinsettia plants can produce vomiting and diarrhea in your pet.
Not something that you want to see any time of the year! If you have a Christmas tree, you might try decorating with wooden ornaments, fabric or pine cones.
Glass ornaments, tinsel, wire ornament hangers, bows can cause choking and serious injury if chewed on.
If there is a new puppy in your home, keep electrical cords and batteries far away.
This would apply to kittens, also.
Another point to consider about Christmas trees - the tree stand is filled with water that eventually will be contaminated with bacteria.
Some dogs and cats think it's a new watering hole.
So, try to keep it away from your pets and small children that might try to crawl up to it and perhaps drink the water.
Dogs and cats may try to play under the tree, eventually climbing on the branches.
This could cause the tree to fall with all of your lovely ornaments.
If you have glass ornaments, then you will certainly have a mess to clean up, not to mention the danger of your pets getting cut.
So, anchor the tree and try to cover the tree stand.
(But don't forget to water the tree).
Keep all holiday candles out of the path of your pets.
The last thing that you want is a house fire or a burned pet, so, NEVER leave candles burning unattended.
Even if it's just for a few minutes.
Be considerate of your pets if you are having parties or friends stopping by.
Strangers can be upsetting to any dog or cat if it's not their normal routine.
Sometimes anything out of the ordinary can be upsetting, like if you move furniture around for a large gathering.
Remember, your animal companions don't know what holidays are.
Last, but certainly not least, Do Not give your dog chocolate.
It can be toxic to your dog! Also, no meat bones that can splinter and lodge in his throat or G.
I.
tract.
No fatty meats or poultry skin as this can cause pancreatitis, which can kill your dog if not treated.
By following a few common sense rules, your holiday season will not be ruined by an expensive veterinary visit or worse yet, an untimely death or your animal companion.
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