Good Lifestyle

The holidays are a period of family gatherings, in a good mood and unfortunately for manyPet owners, emergency trip toveterinary hospital. That's right, while there is a lot to love about all the December winter festivities, there are also surprising risks that the season presents to the oldest members of our households. Thanks to all these decorations and tons of guests, unfortunately, some of the things and people - who add joy to our celebrations.Our well-loved dogs and cats in danger. To make sure you are looking for Fido and Fantasy in December, here are 14 of the most important risks to consider when it comes toThe safety of your pet during the holidays.

If you are a dog owner, you probably already know it as little as four ounces of chocolatecan be mortal to your puppy. And although most dog owners are vigilant to keep the candies of the reach of their canine companion, when they get a gift wrapped in a friend or colleague, it is likely that they probably do not throw it Under the tree without thinking twice.

"May seem obvious, but chocolate is even more widespread during the holidays, whether in bakery products or given as a gift," saysChris Boicelli, director of the media forPreventative veterinarian. "It's important to be aware of any gift containing chocolate under the tree."

This substance, often used as a sugar substitute, is also in cough syrup, candy and respiratory mint. And it's alsoextremely toxic for dogs. "Many people cook the holidays and this substitute for sugar" all natural "that goes well for people to be extremely toxic to dogs and poisons of thousands of dogs every year," explains Boicelli, pointing towards the prevention of the veterinariandetailed description Xylitol dangers for dogs.

This is the kind of thing that an owner is probably very neat of most of the year, but with the guests, the chances of xylitol containing products have increased increases.

Large holidays mean severe pet residues for pets. According to a recent investigation of the pet food trade markAcana, conducted in partnership with Atomik Research, nearly half (48%) of animal owners, let their dog eat remnants of their plate for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. But "while some people of food are safe as a treat, large quantities can make your pet sick," saysStephanie Mantilla, an animal trainer based on positive reinforcement toCuriosity formed.

Even if you have a non-begging policy, some of your visiting friends or family could find more difficulty resisting your pet a little bit about their plate (or your pet can take the things in their own legs and jump on the counter when you are distracted, helping us to themselves). "With holiday hustle and bustle, it's easy for you to not be aware of the number of table rates that your pet actually eats," says Mantila. "Some remains, such as cooked bones, are downright dangerous because they can enlighten and cause internal perforations."

There are many other food dangers for dogs. Onions and garlic can cause gastrointestinal irritation and damage caused by red cells. Nuts such as almonds and pecans can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Food or drinks containing alcohol can create breathing difficulties and even death. ReviewThis list by the Aspca And be sure to leave any human food or accessible to your dog - it could be a matter of life or death.

You may pay attention to keeping your medications nestled in the cabinet within reach of your pet, but if you have guests, they can be a little less cautious when you expose their medicine, creating an opportunity of choice for a dog or hungry cat. To scroll something they should really do not ingest.

"Even the most friendly pet can become overwhelmed and stressed by too much guest of the lead," says Mantilla. "If your holiday season includes several parts of your home and at your night, it is best to make a space reserved for your pet."

Mantilla adds that this is especially true when children, who do not necessarily respect your pet's personal space, are among your visitors.

ThisChristmas tree May look like a festive vacation centerpiece for you, but it can look like a dog and cat lunch. And unfortunately, trees like fir, scotch and pineare slightly toxic for animals. Their oils can bring the mouth of pets and stomachs to become irritated because they are so difficult to digest. In addition, needle bites can lead to vomiting or may obstruct or even puncture - the respiratory tract of animals. Soft swelling of certain suspended needles will probably make them damage, but make sure they are not too loose.

An additional reason for Christmas trees can be dangerous for domestic animals? Animals do not eat them, they can accidentally drink their water. "If the tree has fertilizers and / or conservatives in and your pet do it, we generally occur from upheavals." SaidCarol Osborne, DVM, an integrative veterinarian that runsChangrin Falls Pet Clinic. "Stagnant water is a bigLivestock for bacteriaAnd if pets drink, they often fall ill with vomiting and / or diarrhea. "

Electric lights are certainly a much safer alternative to candles that we used to use to decorate Christmas trees, but they can have many pet dangers, who are used to gnawing or gainer anything of the view. Make sure these lighting chains are well preserved above the place where your pet can get them and you turn them off before going down to avoid accidents on the night of the night.

"The flicker can attract the animal and bite in the sons, they can have a shock," saysYvette Berke, Responsible for Awareness for Animal Adoption OrganizationSmall angels project. "Another concern is domestic animals that could chew wire and leave exposed areas that can trigger a fire. Always check before you light."

As you risk throwing the ribbon and pack paper to the side when you open your gifts, they are a favorite game toy for your cat or dog. They can love jumping on the ribbon or fight with paper, but make sure the ribbon is not tied around their necks or legs and they do not try to swallow the packaging material either. Simply put: "The packaging poses a danger of choking and could also cause intestinal obstruction," says Boicelli.

These classic holiday decorations themselves are not toxic for animals, but they can have many dangers if ingested. Even more than gift packaging ribbons, these small tapes can be tempting pieces for cats and dogs - and can cause significant damage to their digested internal organs.

"FISHINGlooks like a fun and festive game toy to a cat, "Rachel Barrack, DVM, founder ofAnimal acupuncture In New York, said previouslyBetter lifeBut ", if ingested, it can cause an obstruction of the foreign body to the gastrointestinal tract requiring surgery."

Tinsel is not the only embarrassing tree decoration. Glass ornaments or other with sharp edges can cut an animal in case of broken or too narrow contact, and small ornaments that can be swallowed integers may be stifling hazards.

"Try using carton, plastic, non-toxic dried flowers, fabric, wood and pinecones" suggests Osborne. She also asks to use red velvet bows instead of hooks to hang ornaments and keep one of these highs on the tree of each direction.

Although Evergreens and Poinsetties can cause general irritation for your furry friends, there are many more flora alarming forms at home. Before you hang, Holly or GUI, think twice the question of whether it's in the best interest of your pet.

"Holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and lethargy," says Osborne. Holly has an extra danger since, even when it is well placed out of the reach of your pet, the bays dry over time and can fall on the branches on the floor, where they can be easily eaten by Other omnivorous animals. If you want Fresh Holly to decorate your home, play safely and remove the berries before settling it.

Mistlete of the samemay cause Vomiting, diarrhea and breathable difficulty in dogs and cats - "especially bays are quite toxic," says Osborne. "They can lead to a stomach and fatal heart problems in dogs and cats."

Whether you tried to understand why the remote does not work or if you want to get a new Christmas toy, families often separate batteries during the holidays - which can be pet problems.

"Toxicity levels can be moderate to severe and if swallowed can lead to full surgery", according to the benefits ofVagabond. "If your dog chews batteries, he finds lost in packaging paper stacks, contact your veterinary professional. The battery acid can burn the esophagus and lithium of an animal can cause corrosive injury."

There are few things that more effectively evoke the spirit of the mood lighting, which means that lighting candles, a menorah or a yellow nan in the chimney. As you probably take care of caution when you expose such burning decorations, you could make more than usual at this time of the year or keep this fire burning longer than you could otherwise. The next thing you know, your cat or your dog rubbed a little too close and struck a candle down, noups something in the fire, or even got a spark in their own fur.

"Candles and Menorahs are scented and attractive for pets," explains Osborne. "Place them from the top of the paw. They are a risk of fire and fumes are toxic to birds. Jumping tails easily knocking candles and burning your pet or worse a fire."

It also invites to invest in a chimney screen (especially for cats, which can sometimes use the chimney as a litter box).

Holiday disturbances can create many opportunities for pets to escape or end up losing, saysTerrijay, aanimal environment, Who notes that his phone rings the hook during the holidays.

"When people go on vacation, they often choose to board their pets or have a pet goer enter," she says. "Although we liked to think that these can be safe solutions, they are often not. Pets escape boarding facilities because of negligence and neglect and neglect and Too many animal guardians do not take their responsibilities rather seriously. "

If an animal is used to being inside and suddenly finds themselves outside, it does not only have the items to be supported, but all the other dangers of the outside world. "Even taking your pet with you can pose problems if the animal moves away and does not know where the house is," adds Jay. "Make sure the pets always have an identification and are micro-grains."