Holiday Pet Hazards

Kenton Taylor, D.V.M.

Holiday time presents some situations which can be hazardous to your pet’s health. A little planning and taking extra precautions will keep the holidays a happy time for everyone.

Holiday food favorites can be dangerous for dogs. Watch out for “counter surfing” with food left on counters and serving areas. Fats, gravies and poultry skin can lead to gastrointestinal upset or worse pancreatitis. This inflammatory condition of the pancreas often requires hospitalized care and can be fatal. Keep trash where your pet cannot get to it. Food scraps and packaging can be delectable for your pet. Moldy food in the trash may contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that can cause muscle tremors and difficulty walking.

Alcoholic drinks especially eggnog is tempting along with rum cake. Cats are sensitive to ethanol and are attracted to mixed drinks containing milk, cream or ice cream. And unbaked bread dough undergoes fermentation in the stomach to produce ethanol and stomach distension.

Chocolate poisoning is a common problem with early symptoms being anxiety, agitation or vomiting. In general the darker the chocolate or more bitter, it is the more toxic – unsweetened baking chocolate is the worst. White chocolate is negligible in toxicity. ½ to 1 ounce of baking chocolate can be fatal for a toy breed while 4 to 8 ounces can be toxic for a Labrador. Don’t keep wrapped boxes of chocolate under the tree – they will be opened by your dog.

If you have to share food, give canned pumpkin or raw or cooked sweet potato, carrots or green beans without added oils. Grapes, raisins and currants are toxic for some dogs. They can cause kidney failure and how this happens is unknown. Any amount can be dangerous.

Be careful with peanut butter as it is high in fat and some peanut butters now have a natural sweetener called Xylitol added. Xylitol, in dogs and rabbits only, causes a release of an increased amount of insulin in the body which results in dangerously low blood sugar levels. It can also cause liver failure. Most products containing Xylitol do not list the concentration in the product because it is not toxic to people. Therefore, it is impossible to predict if a product has a toxic amount or not. Only 2 ounces of peanut spread containing Xylitol can be toxic for a 25 pound dog. Xylitol is also used in sugar-free gum, baked goods (including protein bars) and candies often labeled as “sweetened naturally” or “naturally sweetened.”

Onions and garlic can also be toxic, especially for cats. Of most concern is exposure to concentrated sources in powders, salts and minced products. Garlic is more toxic than onion. The toxic effect of most concern especially in cats is damage to red blood cells resulting in anemia.

It doesn’t take much for a climbing cat or excited dog to knock the Christmas tree over, so make sure it is secured. A tight fitting tree skirt can prevent your pet from drinking the tree’s water. Christmas preservative in the water typically doesn’t cause problems. Ingestion of Christmas tree needles by cats can cause vomiting and decreased appetite. Foil around the base, double-sided cellophane tape or citrus-scented spray at the tree base will discourage cats from climbing. Avoid ornaments made from food such as salt/dough ornaments and popcorn strings. Watch for and remove any broken ornaments. Be careful with holiday lights as they are usually not insulated well and so are easily chewed through. Burn marks at the lips or tongue or respiratory distress are signs of electrocution. Tinsel and curling ribbon should be avoided completely especially with cats.

Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, Mistletoe, Holly and Amaryllis ingestion can cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Lilies are the big problem for cats. Even biting a leaf or ingestion of the pollen can be toxic. Initial symptoms typically are vomiting followed by kidney failure 24 to 72 hours after ingestion. Delaying treatment beyond 18 hours usually results in death.

Potpourri liquid or scented oils simmered in a pot are particularly attractive to cats and are poisonous due to the essential oils and cationic detergents they contain.

For cats the silica gel packs that come with many of the presents are fun to bat around. Eating the contents of the packs is typically not a problem but eating an intact packet could cause an obstruction. While your medications are safely stored away, house guests may leave theirs in plastic bags in open suitcases. More common now is marijuana in plastic bags. If there is marijuana in the house, your dog will find it. No drug sniffing training needed here.

Lastly, one that you may be unfamiliar with is snow globes. They can contain ethylene glycol (antifreeze). If you drop and break one, the liquid could be quickly licked up because it tastes sweet. Ethylene glycol ingestion can cause kidney failure. Proceed immediately to your veterinarian if this occurs.

For some cats and dogs, the bustle of the holiday season with visitors and increased household activity can be stressful. Providing a comfortable, quiet place to retreat to can help and also prevent unnoticed escapes out the door. If your pet is particularly upset by houseguests, then your veterinarian can help with possible solutions.

If you suspect that your pet has been exposed to a “holiday hazard”, call your local veterinarian immediately or call Pet Poison Helpline at 855-213-6680 or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 (fee for both). Early treatment can prevent a serious or fatal condition.