Holiday Pet Safety – What’s Toxic?

Time for a refresher on what's dangerous and toxic to our furry family this time of year.

Fido and kitty are excited about the holidays too. Fideo will have his nose to the ground trying to taste everything possible. Meanwhile, pretty kitty turns into the possessed kitty when the Christmas tree goes up.

Mistletoe and artificial snow are poisonous; Christmas ornament fragments can slit the stomach; string, ribbon, and tinsel if swallowed may cause painful intestinal problems; frayed light cords cause shock or burns.

Low Toxicity Holiday dangers
Poinsettia leaves/stems; balsam/pine/cedar/fir; angel hair (spun glass); Christmas tree preservatives; snow sprays/snow flock; tree ornaments; super glue; Styrofoam; icicles (tinsel); and crayons/paints.

Moderate Toxicity Holiday dangers
Certain fireplace colors/salts; plastic model cement may be harmful. Moderate to high toxicity holly berries and leaves; bubbling lights (methylene chloride); snow scenes (may contain salmonella); aftershaves/perfumes/alcoholic beverages; and chocolate (dark is more toxic than milk). Sidewalk salt can not only make pets ill but burn their paws as well. Pet safe versions are a better choice.

Highly Toxicity Holiday dangers
Mistletoe (especially berries); epoxy adhesives (1 drop of Gorilla Glue can kill your pet) antifreeze, and potpourri. Please note that some items have particular problems. For example, whereas angel hair is usually considered to be of low toxicity, it can irritate eyes, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract; the content of Christmas tree preservatives varies, and often effects depend upon the amount ingested. Chocolate, onions, and garlic, should never be given to a pet. Antifreeze deserves special mention because even a minuscule amount can be rapidly fatal to pets.

Critical: do not put aspirin in the water (some folks do this thinking it will keep the tree or plant more vigorous). If a pet ingests the aspirin-laced water, his health or even life can be at risk.

[Information from petmd.com]

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