Don’t Do It!

Table Scraps are Harmful to Pet Health, and Other Holiday Concerns for Pet Owners

In the frantic preparations to share some time with our dear friends and family during the holiday season, many of us want to spoil our furry best friends as well.

In America, the “food is love, love is food” theory is held by many. So it stands to reason that after you have prepared a lovely dinner for your family, you might want to share some of it with your poochie-pooh or kitty girl.

Skip the Scraps!

Human food simply is not good for dogs and cats, especially the foods that are often featured at holidays, which are high in fat and may cause your pets to have upset stomachs or, worse, begin to expect these foods as part of their every day diet. Some human foods, like flax oil really are good for animals, but most human foods aren’t.

One food you need to be particularly careful with any time of the year is chocolate. Chocolate can be toxic to animals. If there’s chocolate in the house, be sure it’s out of your pets’ reach.

Holiday Plants

One little known fact is that many household plants – especially those common during the holidays – are toxic to pets as well. Be sure to check the list and make sure plants are well out of your pets’ reach, especially mistletoe! When hanging mistletoe, be sure to hang it high and anchor it well.

Alcoholic Beverages

Whether you add a little rum to your eggnog, indulge in a little champagne, or sip on a glass of wine, be sure it, too, is out of your pets’ reach. Alcohol is toxic to pets and can cause all kinds of gastrointestinal difficulties. The last thing you want after an evening of revelry is to be worried you’ve poisoned your pooch.

Holiday Decorations

One last thing to consider during this season is decorations that might be harmful to pets. Glass ornaments can easily be tipped off your Christmas tree, and leave dangerous, sharp shards of glass that can easily cut little paws. Also, homemade dough ornaments – no matter how old – can attract your pets’ attention. If they eat the ornaments, they could end up ill and you could end up making  an emergency visit to the vet to be sure all is well.

Last but not least, skip the tinsel. It’s actually sharp enough to cut through your pets’ intestines.

With a little extra attention to the details, you can make your holidays safe and joyous for your furry family members.