Keep pets safe for holidays

I cannot believe it is time to discuss this topic again. I wonder if time flies as quickly for our pets as it does for us. Well, whether they realize it or not, the season of pet hazards is upon us.

At Thanksgiving, the biggest hazard for pets is food. All that rich food is a lot more dangerous to your pet than it is to us. A pet could get a bone lodged in his stomach or, even worse, pancreatitis from eating rich or fatty foods. Dogs know to beg from guests, who give in and offer a treat.

The Christmas tree is the No. 1 source of nonfood hazards. Water in the tree stand can become stagnant, and the bacteria levels can be high enough to cause vomiting, so keep the water fresh or covered. Common tree preservatives contain fertilizers that upset pets' stomachs, so either don't use these products or keep the water out of reach.

If pets chew on electric cords, they can get a serious shock and painful mouth burns. Rabbits absolutely love to chew on cords, but cats and dogs run a close second. Keep these hidden underground or under throw rugs.

Pets can smell wrapped food presents from a mile away. Do not leave these presents unattended under the tree. Dogs will consume ribbon and wrapping paper as they try to open sealed cheeses, jams and candies. One Christmas, while I was sound asleep, my dog discovered a package of individually wrapped chocolate coins. Fortunately, she did not eat the foil, which could have caused intestinal bleeding, but I did have to make her vomit in order to avoid chocolate toxicity.

Ornaments, ribbons and holly berries all cause serious problems if they are eaten. And, believe it or not, pets occasionally will eat a glass ornament. If you must use these items, keep them out of your pet's reach. Tinsel is a problem every year. Cats tend to play with and eat this stringy stuff. When cats eat strings, ribbons or tinsel, the long material makes its way into the intestinal loops, where it begins to saw through the gut wall. If you see tinsel hanging from your cat's mouth, DO NOT pull it out if there is any resistance. Sometimes these strings go all the way from the mouth to the rectum, and if you pull, you will exaggerate the sawing effect. Get your cat to the vet immediately. Surgery usually is required to remove strands of ribbon or tinsel.

Many pet owners elect to use baby gates to protect their trees from rambunctious pets.

This works well for dogs, but a cat still can get to and topple a Christmas tree if they begin to climb. Try to place your tree where dogs and cats are restricted unless there is human supervision.

Poinsettia leaves cause irritation to the mouth. If you catch a pet chewing on these, rinse the mouth with water and have a veterinarian take a look. Mistletoe berries, if eaten in quantity, can cause severe illness and even death. Keep the mistletoe high above the doors where it belongs.

Your kitchen and dining area often are targets for unsupervised pets. I hear countless stories of cats pushing turkeys or pies onto the floor, where dogs and cats can share alike. Bones from turkey carcasses result in the hospitalization of pets every year.

Even seemingly harmless things in the kitchen can cause problems. For example, grapes and raisins have been linked to kidney disease. Alcoholic drinks can be very dangerous, especially to smaller animals.

To avoid holiday digestive problems in pets, keep your garbage out of reach or sealed tightly and give your pet only healthy holiday treats.

Dr. Katherine A. Saenger owns Bees Ferry Veterinary Hospital and Boarding Kennel. Send questions to her at vetsaenger@bellsouth.net, or visit www.beesferry.com.