Christmastime can be risky for our furry family members
Wouldn’t it be great if “not a creature was stirring” right about now — even if it was just to take a short break!
I know that Christmas Eve can be just as frantic in some homes as the big day itself, so a lot more than visions of sugarplums are probably dancing through your head.
But with all this excitement going on, don’t forget about your family pet.
Because even if you give them their very own doggie or kitty stocking, it doesn’t take much for our furry family members to get into plenty of trouble with all the excitement that will be going on tomorrow.
And by just doing a few simple things, you could prevent something as simple as a tummy upset to a full-blown veterinary emergency from happening.
When we gather around the tree, unwrapping our gifts (and being amazed once again that Aunt Mary can really knit a scarf that long!), it’s easy to forget that Fido and Fluffy want to get into the act, too.
So take a moment tomorrow and check for these easy to overlook dangers: Trash the wrap: Make sure wrapping paper is in the trash and away from curious pups to rip apart and eat. Christmas paper can contain dyes, sparkle and decorations that may go down easier than they come back up.
Risky ribbons: Kittens, cats and ribbon don’t mix! It seems there’s nothing more appealing to a feline than to eat ribbon and strings. But these festive trimmings can easily cause an intestinal blockage. The idea that kitties should play with yarn was obviously invented by someone who really didn’t like cats!
If you were gifted with some holiday plants, such as holly, lilies or even mistletoe, keep it well out of reach of your pets. While poinsettia plants aren’t as toxic as we originally thought (they can, however, still cause a major tummy upset) certain kinds of lilies can be deadly to a dog or cat. And for cats, that danger goes for the pollen and even the water in the vase.
If the grandkids are visiting, watch out for small toys and parts left on the floor that Fido may decide to consume. Be especially careful not to let your pup ingest any of those little round batteries that go in so many electronic gadgets these days.
And if you’ve got a new puppy or kitten in your house, setting them up in a safe, quiet location is the best way to keep them secure until all the excitement is over.
But probably the most tempting part of the day for Buddy is Christmas dinner.
Whether your feast will be a turkey with all the trimmings, a glazed ham or your own special dish, don’t give into those plaintive brown eyes and start sharing.
Those fatty dishes they beg for can cause a potentially life-threatening condition called acute pancreatitis. While cats can come down with pancreatitis too, dogs are much more likely to be given (or steal) the high-fat foods that can bring it on.
Symptoms of pancreatitis can include vomiting, diarrhea and refusal to eat and drink. And it can put your best friend in a lot of pain.
But even stripped clean, bones can be just as dangerous. Turkey bones (actually any poultry bone) can splinter and puncture their digestive tract, as can rib and pork bones.
And finally, if your home starts to resemble Grand Central Station tomorrow with friends and relatives ringing your bell, make sure that Fido and Tabby don’t get out during the festivities.
Because by keeping your furry family safe, all will have a good night!
Sources:
“ASPCA holiday safety tips” aspca.org
