Pet Safety for the Holidays

With holiday celebrations happening all this month, we figured it was a good time to remind you about some common items that can be harmful to your pets. Keeping these in mind can help to ensure a healthy and safe holiday for you and your furry loved ones.
Food Items

• Turkey/Poultry - Though some animals do well with poultry, it is one of the most common allergies and sensitivities in cats and dogs. If you're uncertain it's safer to avoid sharing and if you do decide to share, small amounts are recommended.
• Chocolate/Coffee - These contain caffeine, among other toxic ingredients, that pets do not digest well, leaving them more susceptible to the physical affects such as a sped up heart rate. These affects can make dogs and cats quite ill.
• Grapes, macadamia nuts, blue cheese - These common foods are lesser known for being toxic to dogs. Avoid sharing them with your pet.
• Citrus and Dairy - Cats, specifically, cannot have citrus as it is too acidic for them. They are also lactose intolerant so, while they would love some dairy, they won't love how they feel about it later.
• Onions/Garlic/Leeks - Anything in this family of foods is toxic to pets. Small amounts can be okay in other foods, but it should be used sparingly, if at all.

Non-Food Items

• Poinsettias and Holly - These plants are toxic to pets and anyone who has had a cat for a companion will know that plants always wind up in their mouths.
• Strong Scents - Dogs and cats have a stronger sense of smell than us and strong scents, especially fabricated, pine, or citrus, can be harsher for them than for us. Be aware of the scents in your home this holiday.

• Candles - While most pets won't try to eat candles, many tails end up in the flames which has the potential for an unpleasant end. Make sure you don't leave a burning candle unattended and keep it out of reach of pets.
• Tinsel - Both dogs and cats love to eat this stuff for some reason. The danger comes if it gets bundled up and creates a blockage in their digestive tract.

As always, keep an eye on pets during the holidays. They're curious and like to test things with their mouths a lot of the time. If you're going to have a busy house full of people, consider lodging your pet for the night to keep them safely away from the temptation of unattended food and drink. We hope you and your family, furry or otherwise, have a lovely holiday season!