CHECK OUT TIPS FOR THANKSGIVING. YOUR DOG WILL THANK YOU FOR IT!

Because your dog is special to you, you want him to share all the special times in your life, including holidays. But to your dog, every day spent with you is a holiday, and he may not be able to appreciate or understand the strange people, noises, things and goings-on associated with holiday celebrations. Here are some ways to keep your dog safe and happy during those festive times.

General Tips Stick as closely as possible to your normal routine. Try not to vary your dog's feeding, walking, and playtime schedule.

Don't give your dog scraps from the picnic table or holiday buffet. Cookies and pies, macaroni salads and stuffing, potato chips and fancy hors d'oeuvres, are inappropriate foods for dogs and may make them sick.

If you host a party, remember that some guests may be uncomfortable around dogs. Your dog may, in turn, be uncomfortable or frightened around a large group of unfamiliar people. You may want to confine him in a crate or a room that will not be used by guests. Otherwise, keep him by your side, or with another family member, to keep him from getting into trouble or underfoot.

No matter how fun the party gets, never ever give your dog alcohol. Fourth of July Few dogs appreciate the spectacle of Fourth of July fireworks. The loud noises may be upsetting or even uncomfortable to your dog's sensitive ears.

If you are going out to see fireworks, leave your dog at home.

If fireworks can be heard from your house, and they appear to bother your dog, take your dog to a quiet room and sit with him until he calms down.

If your dog has a history of negative reactions to loud noises, talk to your veterinarian ahead of time for techniques to make the night easier.

Check out our Summer Safety tips as well! Thanksgiving Turkey bones can pose a choking hazard for dogs. Do not give turkey bones to your dog. Also turkey can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea even in small amounts. Tryptophan may be one of the causes of vomiting and diarrhea. It's the enzyme that makes us tired after a turkey dinner.

Keep an eye on the holiday table and secure leftovers and garbage to prevent your dog from foraging among the holiday foods. Christmas Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are poisonous to dogs. Make sure they are kept in places your dog cannot reach.

Do not put lights on the lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn your dog.

Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place them out of reach.

Avoid glass ornaments, which break easily and may cut a dog's feet or mouth.

Do not use edible ornaments, or cranberry or popcorn strings. Your dog may knock the tree over in an attempt to reach them.

Keep other ornaments off the lower branches; if your dog chews or eats an ornament, he can be made sick by the materials or paint.

Both live and artificial tree needles are sharp and indigestible. Keep your tree blocked off (with a playpen or other "fence") or in a room that is not accessible to your dog.

Tinsel can be dangerous for dogs. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines.

Keep burning candles on high tables or mantels, out of the way of your dog's wagging tail.

Review canine holiday gifts for safety. Small plastic toys or bones may pose choking hazards.

Your dog may want to investigate wrapped packages; keep them out of reach.

See our Winter Care guide for more advice. All information and more can be found on akc web site at our link/download window.

Winter and Holiday Hazards for Cats
by Jill A. Richardson, DVM
Veterinary Poison Information Specialist
ASPCA/National Animal Poison Control Center

Here are some tips for keeping your cats out of danger during the holiday season.

FOOD ITEMS:

AVOID Holiday Food Items That Could Cause Problems For Your Cat Alcoholic beverages Chocolate (baker's, semi-sweet, milk chocolate) Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans) Moldy or spoiled foods Onions, onion powder Salt Yeast dough

PLANTS Lillies found in holiday flower arrangements could be deadly to your cat. Many types of lily, such as Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, and the Casa Blanca, can cause kidney failure in cats. Poinsettias are generally over-rated in toxicity. If ingested, poinsettias can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, and may cause mild vomiting or nausea.

Mistletoe has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems. However, mistletoe ingestion usually only causes gastrointestinal upset.

Holly ingestion could cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy.

HAZARDS AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which can also lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, if ingested. Electric cords - Avoid pet exposure to electric cords. If they were chewed, they could electrocute your cat. Cover up or hide electric cords, never let your cat chew on them.

Ribbons or tinsel can get caught up in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction.

Batteries contain corrosives. If ingested they can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.

Glass ornaments can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if ingested.

MEDICATIONSKeep all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs out of the reach of your cats, preferably in closed cabinets. Remind holiday guests to store their medications safely as well. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer, drugs, antidepressants, vitamins, and diet pills are common examples of human medication that could be potentially lethal even in small dosages. Less than one regular-strength ibuprofen tablet (200mg) could stomach ulceration in a 7-pound cat.

During the holidays, many veterinary clinics have limited office hours. In some cases, pet owners try to medicate their animals without their veterinarian's advice. Never give your cat any medications unless under the directions of a veterinarian. Many medications that are used safely in humans can be deadly when used inappropriately. Less than one regular strength acetaminophen tablet (325mg) can be dangerous to a cat weighing 7lbs.

OTHER WINTER HAZARDS:

Antifreeze taste pleasent unfortunately, very small amounts can be lethal. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat. Thoroughly clean up any spills, store antifreeze in tightly closed containers and store in secured cabinets. If you think your cat has consumed antifreeze, contact your veterinarian right away! Liquid potpourris are popular household fragrances commonly used during the holiday season. Cats are often exposed to liquid potpourri by direct ingestion from simmer pots or spills, or by rubbing against leaky bottles or simmer pots containing the potpourri, or from spilling the containers upon themselves. Oral exposures result following grooming. Exposure of cats to some types of liquid potpourris can result in severe oral, dermal and ocular damage.

Ice melting products can be irritating to skin and mouth. Depending on the actual ingredient of the ice melt and the quantity, signs of ingestion would include excessive drooling, depression, vomiting or even electrolyte imbalances.

Rat and mouse killers are used more commonly during colder weather. When using rat and mouse bait, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your cats. ALWAYS Be Prepared !!!!Your cat may become poisoned in spite of your best efforts to prevent it. You should keep telephone numbers for your veterinarian, a local emergency veterinary service, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) in a convenient location. If you suspect that your cat has ingested something poisonous, seek medical attention immediately.

For online information about the ASPCA APCC visit the web site at http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc

Last Updated: 01/05/10