CLEARFIELD – Holiday celebrations with friends and family wouldn’t be the same without pets but special care with food, decorations and activity is needed to keep them safe and healthy, Mountain Laurel Kennel Club officials stressed.
“No one wants a health crisis during the holidays, especially since there is no emergency room for pets near by. We just need to be aware of the special hazards the season poses to our pets,” said MLKC President Geremy Kephart.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center, here are some tips to keep Fluffy and Fido safe:
— Poinsettias are not deadly but will cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation if ingested. Common signs are drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.
— Chocolate is not for pets and can be poisonous, depending on the amount ingested. The less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it can be. Unsweetened baking chocolate contains nearly seven times the theobromine (similar to caffeine) as milk chocolate. Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate can be produced by as little as one-quarter of an ounce of baking chocolate in a 10-pound dog.
— Keep pets on a normal diet and routine, especially if your household is hustling and bustling. Older or ill pets with delicate digestive systems particularly need their routines.
— Sweets containing large amounts of the sweetener xylitol can be toxic. Ingestion can produce a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, incoordination and seizures.
— No holiday leftovers in the food bowl. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages and greasy, spicy or fatty foods can cause stomach upset.
— No alcohol, either. Ingestion can cause weakness, sickness, coma and death from respiratory failure.
— Aluminum foil, candy wrappers, strings of lights, ornaments, ribbons and tinsel are so attractive and so dangerous. Ribbon and tinsel, if ingested, can cause intestinal obstructions, a very common problem for cats.
— Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems in dogs and cats. Holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested and lillies can result in kidney failure in cats.
— Keep pets away from Christmas tree water, which can contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The ASPCA Poison Control Center is open around the clock and can be reached at 888-426-4435.