Pet Talk: Holiday Safety

The holidays are a time when friends and family come together to celebrate.  This gathering of people often unites other members of the family, those of the dog and cat variety.  The holidays are a wonderful time to bond with family, but during this time pet owners need to pay special attention to their pet’s activities. 

 

In November and December, the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Texas A&M University sees a dramatic increase in patients due to injuries that are attained during the holiday havoc.  Dr. Mark Stickney, a

veterinarian at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, suggests a few tips to keep animals in ship shape over the holidays and everyday.

 

According to Stickney, the most common injuries in pets are poisonings, foreign body ingestion and trauma.

A pet being poisoned is usually caused by the pet eating medications meant for humans or getting into a poison that is laid for vermin.  Unfortunately, around the holidays, many pets run into new things that may cause illness. 

 

“A rule of thumb is: never give a dog or cat chocolate,” states Stickney.  Dogs and cats eliminate the more complex ingredients in chocolate, such as caffeine, more slowly than people.  As a result, these chemicals have longer to act on the body.  Ingestion of chocolate may cause the pet to vomit, develop irregular heart beats, and seizures.  Meats with a large amount of fat should not be given to dogs or cats.  These table scraps are too high in fat for a pet’s digestive system, which can also lead to vomiting, and in severe cases pancreatitis.  Stickney suggests bones that come from your holiday turkey or steak not be given to pet’s.  If a pet chews through the bone it may splinter, and the splintered piece may be ingested. These can cause stomach problems that will not leave Fido very happy.  Hard bones can also damage the teeth.

 

If a pet ingests any of these substances and begins vomiting, the pet owner should immediately contact their local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic. 

 

“If a veterinarian can look at the sick pet sooner rather than later, potential damage to the pet can be avoided,” states Stickney. 

 

Stickney also advises speaking with your local veterinarian about the use of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in animals.  If a pet owner lives a large distance from a veterinarian and immediate assistance is not available, hydrogen peroxide can induce vomiting to release the foreign substance from the animals’ stomach. The amount of hydrogen peroxide that should be given differs based on the animal’s size; it is very important to ask a veterinarian under what circumstances this is appropriate and the amount that should be

given to the animal. 

 

Around the holidays many foreign objects can be accidentally ingested by eaten by pets. Stickney believes that tinsel and ribbon should be kept out of reach of cats.  Cats find it amusing to play with these objects and often swallow them.  These objects will become lodged in the animal’s intestinal tract and may cause injury. 

 

Animal trauma is usually associated with new visitors coming into the household.  Trauma may be caused by a pet being accidentally stepped on by a guest that is not aware of its presence in the home or small children [and adults] playing too rough.  Stickney also advises that electric cables for holiday lights and other festive décor be kept away from any pets in the house.  If a pet gnaws on the electric cord it could be electrocuted. Another precaution that Stickney suggests is alerting all guests of the pets’ presence.  This can keep the pet from accidentally being stepped on or hit by a car. Keeping the pet in a designated area of the home can also reduce the occurrence of injury and prevent the “indoor-only” cat from getting lost outside.

 

The holidays are a joyful time that should be spent with the ones that are most important.  To ensure a safe and happy holiday season for all living things in a household, try and take all precautions necessary to ensure safety for all pets.