We want this holiday season to be a fun and safe time for you and your pet, not something that turns into an emergency visit to the veterinarian. Some of the decorations we use, the holiday plants we buy, and the food we make can be hazardous to our pets. Below is a list of the most common holiday hazards. If your pet comes into contact with any of these, let us know immediately.
Poisonous Plants
Mistletoe
Lilies
Holly
Poinsettia
Yew
Kalanchoe
Food
Alcohol
Chocolate
Uncooked meat and bones
Uncooked yeast dough
Grapes and raisins
Macadamia nuts
Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
Other hazards
Electrical cords
Glass ornaments
Tinsel
Gift ribbon/string
Candles
Batteries for toys
Needles from the Christmas tree
If you are expecting a lot of visitors or are having a holiday party, your animal may become very stressed or nervous. Make sure your animal has access to a quiet room (with a bed and some water) away from the noise and people where they can go to be alone. If you have an animal that is known to be aggressive, make sure they stay in another room or you may think about boarding them for a short time. If you have a new or young animal, you may want to try and teach them some basic obedience before people come over – commands like sit, stay, off, and leave it will be very helpful.
The holidays are also a time that people get or give a pet as a gift. First, make sure the receiving party really does want a new animal. Pets can make great gifts, but there is a lot of financial responsibility that goes into owning a new puppy or kitten. You must remember that these animals can be around for the next 15 or so years, so make sure they have the time to give them the proper care they need. Think about bringing home the new addition after the holidays, when all the commotion and stress dies down. You want to be able to have the time to bond to your new pet and they will have an easier time adjusting without all the stress.
Lastly, make sure your pet has some sort of identification in case they get loose. It is best to have both a collar with your information on it as well as something permanent, like a microchip. At Pearland Animal Hospital we offer ResQ microchips for dogs and cats. They are read by all scanners (ISO compliant) and they contain your pet’s information as well as your contact information. There is no annual fee and they offer 24/7 customer support. If you have moved, please remember to update your pet’s information.
We wish the best to you and your pet during this holiday season.
Dr. Tricia Trunek, DVM
