Holiday Hazards

1. Decorations
Dogs and cats love to explore new things, usually with their mouths. So keep decor, tinsel, and garlands up and out of reach, or block access by your climbing kitty. Your ornaments will thank you, and your pet won't shock him or herself by chewing on the electric light cord or swallow something that gets stuck. Lilies, holly, and mistletoe are toxic to pets, so keep them out of reach as well.

2. Sweets
Baking chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, and the artificial sweetener xylitol can all be dangerous for our pets. If you think your pet may have eaten any of these, call us right away. We may need to have you induce vomiting at home depending on how much your pet has eaten.  

3. Gift Wrap
Small pets often like to play with wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons. Supervized play is fine - just make sure they don't get tangled up, stuck inside, or swallow any of the material.

4. Feasts
Sometimes those feasts are unintentional... but we do like to spoil our pets around the holidays. A little bit of lean cooked meat makes a great treat. Just beware that too rich a meal can cause a painful condition called pancreatitis. If your pet vomits, has decreased appetite, or seems lethargic, seek veterinary care.