With the colder temperatures approaching, pet owners do what they can to protect their pets from the inclement weather that occasionally comes about in these parts. Even if you don’t own a pet you might find yourself helping stray animals, as well. In the process of trying to figure out safe and warm places to house pets, one may overlook the possibility certain household chemicals, foods, and other toxins may be within close range of pets and can be extremely harmful to them.
Dr. Stephanie Collins of Chaparral Veterinary Center can’t stress enough the importance of keeping harmful substances away from pets during the holidays. She shared with us some helpful tips to keep cats and dogs safe.
“During the winter holidays we see many pets brought in as there are more potential toxins found in our homes during this time,” said Collins. “Fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, and plants are toxic to cats and dogs alike.”
A list from the ASPCA Poison Control Center specifically writes the following holiday food items should be avoided for pets:
-Alcoholic Beverages
-Chocolate (baker’s, semi-sweet, chocolate covered espresso beans)
-Moldy or Spoiled Foods
-Onions, Onion Powder
-Fatty Foods -Salt
-Yeast Dough
Making sure pets don’t ingest unhealthy things very important. Although, pet owners may not realize, Collins said that plants also prove to be dangerous for pets to come in contact with.
“Poinsettias and lilies of all kinds are toxic to cats. Pet owners might not see how allowing pets to roll around in plants like those can actually hurt them,” said Collins.
The ASPCA’s Poison Control Center further describes lilies in holiday flower arrangements can be deadly to cats as they cause kidney failure. Poinsettias bring about irritation to the mouth and stomach and cause mild vomiting or nausea.
Besides keeping pets away from holiday foods and plants, it is wise to look for potential hazards around the Christmas tree. Electrical cords, batteries, glass ornaments, ribbons, and tinsel should be placed where pets can’t reach them. Christmas tree water contains fertilizers and can be a breeding point for bacterias to form. Keep the Christmas tree water covered, if possible to avoid your pet drinking from the container. Dry or liquid potpourri with popular holiday scents are also dangerous for pets.
The winter weather might also bring a surge of rodents looking for warm places inside homes. Sometimes home owners will put out poisonous bait to kill rodents, and unfortunately some times pets ingest the poison. Leaking antifreeze from vehicles while they’re parked in a garage where pets are also kept can also be problematic and deadly to pets.
“Often times we don’t know what toxin the animal has been exposed to and sometimes we never find out,” said Collins. “If you think your pet got into something, it’s helpful to bring the packaging or label of what they came into contact with. That can be very helpful to us, as we’ll know how to treat your pet.”
Doing your part by keeping your pets safe during the winter time, can benefit you in the long run. Being mindful of possible exposure to certain chemicals, foods, and plants could save you a costly trip to a veterinary clinic.
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