By Valerie Brooks - ONLYforPETLOVERS New Mexico

The winter holiday season means parties are everywhere, gifts overflow, and decadent foods we avoid the rest of the year become fair game. Pets are part of the family and are included in the festivities. But without the right precautions, the holiday season can wreak havoc on our beloved animals. Keeping them safe is easy but does require a watchful eye. Dr. Brent Parker of the Santa Fe Animal Hospital in Santa Fe, N.M., says that knowing your pet and providing supervision are key during the winter season.

Food

“The most commonly seen problem is what I call ‘dietary indiscretion,’” said Parker. “A dog or cat eats something that causes diarrhea or vomiting.”

If a pet eats something it’s not used to, which happens more often during the holidays, stomach upset could occur. Dogs especially don’t know when to quit when it comes to food, explains Parker. “They’ll eat chocolate kisses, with the foil, within seconds. They’ll wolf down roasts, turkeys, and sticks of butter.”

Parker suggests keeping bowls of food up high, out of a dog’s reach. While cats have their own hazardous holiday issues, they are very picky eaters and will probably not dig into a bowl of candy.

Chocolate, a popular holiday treat, is of particular concern during the holidays. Parker warns that dark baking chocolate is much worse than milk chocolate. White chocolate, which lacks actual cocoa solids, is essentially non-toxic but stomach upset could still occur. If your dog ingests chocolate, call your vet and tell him how much your dog ate, how much he weighs, and what kind of chocolate it was.

Tell guests beforehand not to feed your pet anything. If necessary, keep your pet in a separate room.

To Vet or not to Vet?

How do you determine when your pet needs medical care or not? “It should be based on how your pet feels,” Parker said. “If he throws up the item or just gets diarrhea, there’s probably no need to worry. But if he vomits over and over in a period of a few hours, go to your vet. If there’s blood in the diarrhea or vomit or your pet can’t drink or eat without vomiting, call your vet. Also, bring in a poop sample if possible.”

Christmas Trees

With all their beauty, Christmas trees can be particularly hazardous to pets. The biggest problem Parker sees is cats who have eaten string, yarn, or tinsel. “It can get hooked on a tooth and then the intestines will try to pull it through. If it’s coming out of the rectum, only pull it out if it goes gently,” said Parker.

Mistletoe and pine needles are also fairly toxic, although poinsettias are usually just stomach disruptors. Limit tree decorations to the upper portion of the tree. Some ornaments are made of glass, lead, or zinc, so watch your pet’s access to them.

Electric cords are also a holiday heads-up. Rabbits and birds may chew them and get burned, and even die, according to Parker. Try wrapping your cords in foil since pets don’t like chewing foil. Tape it up the wall where it can’t easily be reached. You can also spray something bitter on them to discourage chewing.

Change your tree’s water frequently. Stale water has secretions that can upset a pet’s stomach. Consider keeping a fake tree.

Holiday Pet Gifts

Giving Spike a holiday gift is a given, but make sure it’s a safe toy. Parker warns owners of stuffed animals. “If your dog is the type to chew a toy to bits, keep it away. To protect teeth, don’t give really hard nylabones or anything that is hard enough that you can hit a nail with it,” said Parker.

Other Winter Season Watch-Outs

Antifreeze is a cold-weather nightmare for pets. Even a shot glass full is toxic, according to Parker. If ingested, your pet may act drunk, vomit, and drink and urinate excessively. “Don’t let pets roam. If you see green or blue spots when walking your dog, steer him away. Watch for cars that are leaking antifreeze,” warned Parker.

Ice melting salts are not as toxic as antifreeze but ingesting significant amounts can be serious. Parker advises to keep bags of ice melt away from your pet and to not spread it too thick on driveways and sidewalks.

“When walking your dog in the snow, especially in areas with varied terrain, ice may be under the snow,” said Parker. “Your dog will not see sharp rocks underneath and her paws can get cut. Don’t let your dog run loose in winter.”

Keep the ASPCA poison control number nearby: 1-888-426-4435

By Valerie Brooks ONLYforPETLOVERS.com/Santa Fe, N.M.