Holiday Pet Safety – What’s Toxic?

The holiday season is a time for celebration. Don't let it turn into a medical emergency for your pets. Take a look at what's dangerous and toxic to our furry family this time of year.

Mistletoe and artificial snow are poisonous; Christmas ornament fragments can perforate the stomach; string, ribbon, and tinsel if swallowed may cause painful intestinal problems; frayed light cords cause shock or burns. Don't spoil your holiday with a medical emergency.

According to the Broadway Animal Hospital, these are some inherent dangers to pets this time of year.

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).

Highly Toxicity - - - Holiday dangers
Mistletoe (especially berries); epoxy adhesives; and antifreeze. 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, of any type, should never be given to a pet. Antifreeze deserves special mention because even a minuscule amount can be rapidly fatal to pets.

Anchor Christmas trees to the ceiling with a string to keep it from falling on 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.

Keep Rescue Remedy on hand

Rescue Remedy, a Bach flower essence available in most health food stores, is a natural stress reliever that many folks keep on hand at home and in travel kits. It can often help both people and animals recover from injury, fright, illness, travel fatigue, chocolate ingestion and irritation. Put a few drops in the dogs water bowl or portable water container. For stressed or injured animals, rub a drop on their ear or put a drop on the towel in their crate or carrier. Flower essences are free of harmful effects and can be used along with conventional medicines.

I don't know what it is about cats. When they see the Christmas tree, they get a funny look in their eyes and then whammo pretty kitty turns into a possessed kitty for the holiday season.