2020 has been quite the year and continues to keep us on our toes. We hope that this newsletter finds you and your furry family members happy and healthy during this unprecedented time. .
We have come up with a helpful list to ensure your pets have a safe holiday season.
From the table:
- No bones from the table. Small turkey, chicken, or steak bones or bone chips can get stuck in your pet’s throat, stomach, or intestines.
- Fatty foods such as ham, gravy, and butter can irritate your pet’s pancreas and cause abdominal pain and vomiting so although their begging will be in top holiday form, give pet friendly treats instead.
- Also, no macadamia nuts, walnuts, or of course chocolate. All of these can be toxic to your pets.
Around the house:
- Decorations – Watch out for cords. If you furry pal is a chewer, we worry about electrocution. Be sure to secure electrical cords from lights or other decorations and tuck them out of the way.
- Candles – A happy tail or a carefully aimed swat of a paw can knock candles over so be sure to keep them safely away from your pets reach and not left unattended.
- Ornaments – What you consider to be a cherished ornament, your pet may consider to be their toy du jour. Keep sharp or breakable ornaments out of reach. Also, tinsel, ribbons, or other string-like objects should be kept away from pets because when ingested they can wrap around intestines or ball up in the stomach and cause a blockage.
- Tree – Make sure that the tree is secured at the top to prevent climbers from knocking it over. Also, with live trees you’ll want to make sure to keep your pets out of the water. Be mindful of preservatives, sugar, or aspirin that you add to the water to maintain the tree’s freshness, they can be harmful to your furry ones.
- Flowers – Watch out for poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, and lilies. Each can be poisonous to pets.
Guests:
- If you have guests coming to your home, watch out for open doors and curious pets. In case of an elusive escape, make sure that your pets have updated collars and tags. Microchipping your pet is also a great precaution.
- Lastly, be aware that your normally friendly dog or cat may be stressed in rooms full of unfamiliar people. Plan ahead and provide them a special quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to when the festivities get too stressful.
From all of us at Olympiad Animal Hospital, Happy holidays to you and your furry loved ones.
