Toxic Christmas Tree Water and Other Holiday Pet Dangers You Never Knew About
Whether you’re hosting a big Christmas dinner or planning to spend New Year’s Eve snuggling up together, your home is likely to be the setting for at least some of your holiday plans. You may be thinking about how to maximize your hosting capabilities to delight the people entering your space, but you shouldn’t forget about your pets this season either. Their comfort and safety are important, but the holiday season can be tough on them. Here are some seasonal pet safety tips beyond the ones you already know, like keeping them away from burning candles.
Holiday decor can be dangerous for pets
The first thing to do is make sure your tree is securely secured so that it won’t topple over if your cat decides to climb it or your dog gets a night zoom and bumps into it. If this seems like a given, it’s not: keep pets away from the water base to keep your tree fresh. It may contain fertilizers or chemicals that could be harmful if your pet drinks it. Tree water can also harbor bacteria that can cause nausea or diarrhea in your pet. Neither your pet nor your guests will like it. Make sure there are alternative water sources nearby for your pets.
Tinsel is also dangerous, especially for cats who like to chew on it and shake it. Ingestion of tinsel can lead to gastrointestinal blockage, vomiting, dehydration, or possibly even surgery. The same goes for glass jewelry. If your pet can’t climb but still shows interest in your decorations, place these items close to the top of the tree.
Keep light cords out of the reach of pets as they may shock any animal that chews on them. If you don’t prefer plug-in batteries, be aware that punctured batteries can burn your mouth and esophagus. To protect animals from themselves and keep all cords working, try cord repellents during the holidays and year-round. I have always used CritterCord ($16.99 for 10 feet) and have found that it works great. Not only is it thick to protect the cords from teeth, but it also has a bitter taste that prevents the animal from even continuing to try to bite through it.
Finally, if you have a fireplace and a dog, beware of fire logs, says the Humane Society . They may contain sawdust and paraffin, which, if eaten, can irritate your dog’s stomach or even cause an intestinal blockage. Here’s a helpful guide to finding good firewood that’s safe for pets .
Holiday Foods Your Pets Shouldn’t Eat
You’re probably already trying to curb your dog’s begging at dinnertime, but the holiday season means a lot of food, most of which you don’t get all year round, let alone your hungry dog. However, resist the urge to throw the dog a bone from the holiday ham or turkey. This may seem harmless, but chewing can cause bones to splinter, putting your pet at risk of choking or intestinal injury. Obviously, your dog should never eat chocolate. Here are a few other holiday foods you may not know your dog shouldn’t eat:
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Chives
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Anything containing citric acid
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Anything with a hole
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Raw eggs
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Fish
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Garlic
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Leaves and stems
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Nuts (safe in small quantities)
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Onion (including flakes and powder)
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Anything too salty
Holiday Plants That Are Harmful to Animals
Gnawing on a Christmas tree may be a bad idea for a pet, as it may eat the needles, which can cause an intestinal obstruction. The needles can puncture the intestinal lining or bunch up there and cause a blockage, neither of which are pleasant, but both can be dangerous. You can avoid this risk by purchasing an artificial tree or keeping your pet away from your real one, especially if it is young and/or known to be a rodent.
The ASPCA also notes that if your pet eats holly, they may experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Mistletoe can lead to gastrointestinal distress or even cardiovascular problems, and lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Finally, poinsettias are mildly toxic to pets, so if you plan to keep them on hand throughout the season, keep them out of reach .