The holidays are a time for giving, but there are some things you should not share with your pet. Holiday festivities present situations which can be hazardous to your pet, so a little precaution is necessary for making this season a happy time for everyone. Some of the more common holiday hazards include:

Bones: The holiday turkey or ham will leave a lot of tantalizing bones, but don’t feed them to your pet. Smaller bones or bone chips can get lodged in the throat, stomach, and intestinal tract.

Fat: Those wonderful mashed potatoes, gravies and poultry skin can cause severe stomach upset, and possibly pancreatitis, a potentially serious GI illness that increases physiologic stress on the patient. You will not be doing your pet a favor by sharing the holiday dinner.

Sweets: Too much candy may lead to a stomachache and chocolate could be fatal to your pet. Chocolate poisoning is caused by theobromine, a caffeine-like chemical substance found naturally in chocolate. As little as 2 pieces of baking chocolate can be fatal for small dogs and cats. Keep those holiday chocolates away from curious pets –don’t leave any goodies wrapped under the tree!

Alcoholic Beverages: Unfortunately, some owners and partygoers think pets should drink alcoholic beverages to celebrate the holidays. Alcohol is not good for any pet in any form or quantity; they can potentially be toxic, even fatal. A Lab ingesting a few ounces of alcohol is like a person drinking a whole bottle.

Prescription Drugs: During this hectic time of year, make sure your pet gets the correct medication at the proper times and in the usual way. Do not give the pills in “spray cheese” type products as a treat since it is very high in sodium. Increase in sodium through treats, with the stress of the holidays, may precipitate heart problems. Also, take care to keep your medications out of your pet’s reach.

Accidental exposure to prescription drugs is a common occurrence; visitors may drop a pill in the house, which pets may find and ingest. Owners may want to ask the visitors to count the pills in the vials so if accidental ingestion of the pills and/or entire vial occurs, the total drug amount to which the pet was exposed is known.

Holiday Plants: Holly and mistletoe are extremely poisonous when eaten, and the poinsettia’s sap and leaves can cause severe stomach upset. These plants should be kept out of your pet’s reach.

Pine Needles: Check around holiday trees and boughs frequently for fallen needles. If sharp enough, ingested pine needles can puncture your pet’s intestines.

Holiday tree: Make sure your tree is well secured. If you have a tree-climbing cat or large dog with a happy tail, anchor the top of the tree to the wall using strong cord or rope. Keep garland made of popcorn and/or cranberries and tinsel away from the bottom of the tree since they are tempting to eat. Preservatives used in the water at the base can also cause intestinal problems, so be sure the base is inaccessible. Avoid sugar and aspirin additives in the water as well.

Ornaments: Sharp or breakable ornaments and holiday decor should be kept out of reach. Tinsel and ribbon can wrap around intestines or ball up in the stomach and should be safeguarded at all costs. Clean up well after the gifts are opened; some cats and dogs hide pieces of ribbon, string, or small parts of toys to play with and potentially ingest several days to weeks later.

Electrical Cords: Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. Be sure you have cords secured and out of the way.

Candles: Lighted candles left at a kitten’s eye level or within a puppy’s chewing zone can quickly become disastrous. Anchor candles securely away from curious faces and feet.

Stress and company: With everyone coming and going, watch out for open doors and make sure your pet has a collar and tags on in case of escape. Be sure to provide a special quiet place for your pet to retreat when the festivities get too stressful.

Cold weather: Be aware when your pets are outside and make sure no one forgets to let them back in the house, especially in subzero or snowy weather. Remember walking through snow takes more effort and energy and places more strain on the cardiovascular system.

Limit the amount of outdoor activity in the ice and snow, and check the pet’s paws for chemical “snow melt” before they can lick and ingest the material. Wash and wipe off the pet’s feet, as these products can cause stomach upset and possibly poisoning. If the pet must be confined to the garage, remove all dangerous things that can be eaten such as antifreeze, household cleaners, or rat poison.

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