Having a Healthy Holiday!
Having a healthy
holiday
December is such a busy month of the
year, but while we love to get caught up in all the holiday spirit we don’t
want to forget about protecting our pets! So, here’s a few things to think
about when we are pulling out all those holiday decorations and making our
homes feel festive:
- Christmas tree water can be tempting for pets to drink, but be
careful because it can harbor harmful
bacteria which can lead to stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting.
- Electric cords can electrocute your pet if chewed on. Cover them up
or hide them the best you can so they are
not tempting your pet to nibble on them.
- Ribbon and tinsel are especially tempting to cats and kittens. However,
if ingested it can get caught up in
their intestines and cause serious problems.
- Batteries contain corrosives that can cause sores in the mouth and
gastrointestinal tract. Don’t leave batteries out where your pets can
lick or chew on them.
- Glass ornaments can break and cut your pet if they fall off the
tree. Watch your pet closely around
the tree so they are not able to knock down any ornaments.
- Candles and scented air fresheners are tempting for pets to rub up
against or lick. If your cat rubs up
against something oily and them grooms himself, the oils can be ingested and cause stomach upset. They can
also be burned if the candles or oil is hot. Keep
these things out of your pets reach.
- Plants can be harmful to your pets too. Lillies, poinsettias,
mistletoe and holly all have the
potential to cause stomach upset, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Keep these
away from your pets. You can always
check the ASPCA Poison Control Center to read more about which plants are harmful to pets. Their website is www.
Aspca.org/apcc
- Food and Drinks are tempting to share with your beloved pet, but
they too can be harmful. Never give
your pet alcohol, chocolate, or excessive amounts of fatty foods. They can cause stomach upset and possibly
death if too much is ingested.
We want
everyone to be able to enjoy the holidays without having to make any emergency
trips to see the veterinarian. If you keep these tips in mind they should help
you have a happy and safe holiday season. If by chance an accident does happen
be sure to call your veterinarian immediately.
Sully Animal Hospital is open 6 days a week, with hours from 7:30 A.M.
to 6:00 P.M. If you have an emergency
outside of those hours, there are emergency veterinary clinics we can refer you
to that are open 24 hours a day to assist you. Happy Holidays!
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