How to Keep Pets Safe from Holiday Hazards

If someone feels their pet may be affected, keep an eye out for arriving visitors and, if necessary, make sure one has a safe, quiet area for their pets to burrow down, such as a crate or non-public bathroom.

FREMONT, CA: This holiday season will be quite different. One of the best parts of the holidays is the opportunity to reunite with loved ones. However, some things will remain unchanged from previous seasons, such as the festive risks that our animal family members confront. Here are a few methods to keep pets safe. One may have heard some of these suggestions before, but they are worth repeating, and these are elaborated below:

Keeping pets away from people's holiday meals: Proteins such as ham, turkey, turkey skin, and brisket contain high levels of fat, which pets find difficult to digest. It can cause the pancreas to go into overdrive, resulting in pancreatitis, which can cause serious sickness and even death. We typically see affected pets, mostly dogs, for the next week or two after holiday-related meals. Not forgetting the desserts, especially those made with dark chocolate or xylitol-based artificial sweeteners, is necessary. Both elements can be deadly to the pets. Fruits and vegetables such as grapes, raisins, garlic, and onions, all holiday staples, can be toxic to dogs and cats.

Ensuring that holiday plants are kept out of the way: Pets are curious and will inspect, sniff, and even eat holiday plants, some of which might be hazardous to them. Keeping all plants out of reach of curious paws is essential. 

It is suggested to clean up plates and food remnants and store them away as soon as possible: Even if it's tied in the strongest trash bag; our pet will do everything in their power to get to that turkey carcass or aluminum foil with delicious fluids on it. Ingesting one of these can result in a stressful, late-night visit to the ER vet. The bones and cartilage can induce severe diarrhea and pancreatitis, and consuming plastic, foil, or utensils results in an emergency and costly surgery. Grandma's wonderful yeast rolls satisfy our stomachs but can cause severe bloating, gas, and gastrointestinal pain in our pets.

It is necessary to keep in mind that masks might be scary for pets: If people do get together with relatives or friends outside their bubble, it is necessary to remember that face masks can induce anxiety in pets who may not identify someone they've seen several times before. Individuals may notice strange behaviors such as barking (or hissing), anger, and even stress gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea). If someone feels their pet may be affected, keep an eye out for arriving visitors and, if necessary, make sure one has a safe, quiet area for their pets to burrow down, such as a crate or non-public bathroom.