Happy Holidays and Keep Your Pet Healthy

It’s that time of year again! And, this is a guest post from Dr. Donna Spector, DVM, DACVIM, of VCA Animal Hospitals. VCA Animal Hospitals are launching four weeks of holiday-related pet health and safety tips, starting this week with holiday fare! Visit http://www.VCAhospitals.com to find more information or to locate the nearest VCA Animal Hospital.

Many holiday foods can be dangerous for your pet. No need to forego your favorite holiday goodies, just be careful what your pet is given …. or tries to steal!

Feed your pet before any planned festivities. This will help your pet feel more satiated and they are not as likely to beg or steal food from partygoers. As a safeguard, inform all friends and family that your pets are not to be fed any of the holiday food.

Special notes must be made about the following food hazards:

• Avoid chocolate. Especially dark or baking chocolate, but all chocolate should be avoided. There are toxins present in chocolate which can cause problems ranging from mild stomach upset to seizures and death.

• Avoid alcohol. Many pets are attracted to the sweet drinks made during the holiday, especially those containing eggnog. Clean up all glasses and don’t leave bottles on the counter without tops. Pets can die after a single bout of alcohol consumption.

• Avoid rich fatty foods. These foods can cause your pet mild stomach irritation to a severe condition known as pancreatitis, which often requires hospitalization and can be fatal.

• Avoid giving bones. Bones from the Thanksgiving turkey, fish or other meats can cause problems with obstruction if swallowed. Even small bones can splinter causing tears throughout the intestinal system.

• Uncooked dough. Dough can expand and produce gas in the stomach which can cause bloat, severe pain and possible rupture of the digestive system. If you are leaving dough out to rise, keep your pet out of that room.

• Fruits and nuts. Avoid grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts as they can cause problems ranging from digestive upset to organ failure and death.

• Wrappers, aluminum foil, etc. Pets have an excellent sense of smell and will sniff out wrappers or packages that contain traces of food. Of particular note are the meat-soaked strings from turkey or roast. These and wrappers are often unable to pass and will cause obstructions that require surgery to remove. Keep your countertops clean and take your trash out frequently (into a securely locked area).

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If you would like to Guest Post on the PetLvr Blog For Pet Lovers during the holiday season, please contact … hart (at) PetLvr (dot) com .. for details!

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5 Responses

  1. HART (1-800-HART)
    | Reply

    Happy Holidays and Keep Your Pet Healthy http://su.pr/7MqFMm

  2. Mitch Cohen
    | Reply

    Happy Holidays and Keep Your Pet Healthy http://bit.ly/5e35j6

  3. HART (1-800-HART)
    | Reply

    (new PetLvr post ).. Happy Holidays and Keep Your Pet Healthy:
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  4. Bill Beavers
    | Reply

    Great Information for all pet owners, pet lovers or not. These are all things that can ruin a holiday for the pet owner and for the pet as well. Check around, some of your friends have gone through this. Keep a sharp eye out for your pets during the holidays.

  5. HART (1-800-HART)
    | Reply

    Thanks Bill 🙂

    It always sounds easier than this is – but, that is a good idea to try to “Feed your pet before any planned festivities” … the less they beg the less family will give!

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