In our last blog post we talked about some of the hazards associated with holiday food and decorations as they relate to your pets. In this post we will discuss some additional tips for keeping pets healthy over the holidays. At Anasazi Animal Clinic, we want to help ensure that you and your pets have a safe and happy holiday season!
Poisonous Plants
Holiday plants and flowers are beautiful, but be sure to keep these precautions in mind when decorating with them.
- Holly—Holly leaves and berries can cause vomiting, drooling, and abdominal pain.
- Mistletoe—In small amounts this can cause similar reactions to holly. But if larger amounts are ingested, it can cause dangerous side effects, such as a drop in heart rate and blood pressure, breathing problems, and seizures.
- Poinsettias—This plant isn’t as toxic to animals as most people may think. But it can still cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting. So it is best to keep this one out of reach of your pets.
- Lilies—Lilies are often used in holiday floral arrangements. Although not toxic to dogs, lilies can be dangerous for cats. They can cause reactions ranging from intestinal issues to arrhythmias and potentially, kidney failure.
- Azaleas—Azaleas also frequently appear in holiday bouquets and floral arrangements. These festive flowers can be poisonous to both dogs and cats. If ingested, they may cause diarrhea and vomiting, overall weakness, and even cardiac failure.
- Pine trees—Pine trees aren’t toxic to dogs, but they can be to cats and can cause liver damage and even death. So if you get a live tree, be sure to opt for fir or spruce.
Reminders for Guests
- Drinks—Remind your guests to keep their drinks out of the reach of your pets.
- Purses—Be sure to have guests put their purses in a safe place out of the way. Often purses contain items like medications that can be deadly to pets. Be sure to keep your own medications out of reach as well.
- Doors—Remind your guests to be careful when entering and exiting your house so your pets don’t escape. Or, keep them in a closed room. And just in case, make sure your pet is microchipped and that your information is up to date.
- Anxiety—If your pet is anxious around lots of people, be sure to inform your guests. Giving your pets access to their own quiet room or crate can be very helpful. If your pet is particularly anxious, be sure to talk to us about other solutions.
Keeping pets healthy over the holidays will help make certain your festivities stay merry and bright. However, if your pet does experience an emergency, we are standing by. We offer urgent care and emergency services 6 days a week. And be sure to keep up with routine office visits with Anasazi Animal Clinic to ensure that your furry friend stays healthy all year round!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/31/2018) Pixaby