While we all get fat and happy on delicious food and drink, it is important not to forget what things may harm our pets during the holidays. While we have passed the Halloween milk chocolate tornado, we enter into the baking chocolate snow storms. This is the chocolate that harms our pets. The level of toxicity goes up with quantity, but no amount of Bakers chocolate is safe. Make sure to keep animals far away from this food item, push it back away from easy access from counteredges, and definitely keep wrapped packages up high and not under the tree.
Most dogs and cats love a nibble of the turkey ----- and a small amount of meat is fine. Avoid any bones, as they can cause obstruction and splintering in the digestive tract.
While Dutton Road Veterinary Clinc welcomes all baked goods for their staff and volunteers, we strongly recommend against any pet having access to raw dough. This will expand in the stomach and create severe pain and/ or Salmonella. A small cookie for your pet, once baked, is a special treat and is fine (as long as there is no Bakers chocolate inside).
Other dangerous food items found through the year include apple seedsk fruit pits, coffee, grapes, raisins and nuts. Believe it or not, aside from ruining your pet's breath, raw onions are a huge no-no and should be avoided.
Some food items are life threatening, others just upset pets' stomachs and cause vomiting and diarrhea. Cleaning up this mess is the last thing we need during this busy season!
Please also avoid the ingestion of ribbons and tinsel and the chewing of ornaments! They are all hazards to our furry friends.
What is safe? A potato latke, a Christmas cookie once in awhile, a small amount of turkey or ham (no bones!), a litle applesauce, and even a little milk from Santa's cup. Can't be sure of Santa's response if he knows your pet drank from his glass, but maybe he likes dogs and cats!
In summary, when your pet is exposed to or eats potentially harmful things, the result can be painful, potentially harmful things, the result can be painful, pottentially life threatening, and significantly expensive. Please be extremely careful during this festive time!
From all of us at Dutton Road Veterinary Clinic, we wish you a wonderful and warm holiday season. We are always here if you have any questions about your pet now or at anytime. We are non-profit veterinary clinic and our proceeds go towards animal rescue.
Aime G. Berman, V.M.D.
Medical Director
Dutton Road Veterinary Clinic
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