As Christmas approaches, it is a good time to remember the hazards pets often encounter during the holiday season.

First of all, as most everyone knows, those beautiful poinsettias decorating homes during Christmas are toxic to pets and people if eaten. Make sure the plants are kept up and out of reach since all parts of the plant are toxic. The symptoms seen with poinsettia intoxication are severe irritation of the mouth and throat, coughing, choking, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and diarrhea. Most pets have to eat a large amount to show symptoms.

Holiday treats, especially chocolate and raisins, can also be dangerous to cats and dogs. Chocolate contains a potent stimulant called theobromine. If a dog or cat eats too much chocolate it can experience elevated heart rates, irregular heart beats, tremors, panting, seizures, and urinary incontinence. The amount needed to be toxic depends on the type of chocolate and your pets body weight. Bakers chocolate and dark chocolate are the most potent types. Raisins are often mixed in holiday goodies and should be avoided as well. Eating raisins has been known to cause kidney failure in dogs and cats.

We all know how hard it is to resist the temptation to share the wonderful food from the Christmas dinner table with our furry little friends. Unfortunately, this small act of kindness can have disastrous consequences. All that delicious ham and turkey can cause a condition called pancreatitis when fed to your pet. The pancreas is an organ that normally aids in metabolism and digestion. When it becomes inflamed (i.e. pancreatitis) it creates major gastrointestinal and internal problems. Severe cases can even be fatal.

The signs of pancreatitis to be aware of are lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness. Onions and garlic are two other foods that are toxic to cats and dogs. These foods trigger a destructive chemical reaction in the blood cells and cause anemia and kidney damage. Signs of onion or garlic toxicity include pale gums, fast heart rate, panting, lethargy and weakness.

The Christmas tree also holds many hazards for the playful, adventurous cat or dog. Not only does the tree look like a lovely indoor bathroom to your dog, but it is decorated with lots of shiny, dangling, blinking objects that fascinate curious pets. Glass ornaments are easily knocked off the branches and can cut feet and mouths if broken. Cats love to eat shiny tinsel and the curly ribbon on packages. When swallowed, these strings cause accordion-like bunching of the intestines and need to be surgically removed. Many pets will try chewing extension cords or eating tree lights and risk electrocution or severe burning of the mouth. When decorating your tree, please make sure dangerous items are either kept away from your pet or placed high up on branches that cannot be reached. (Remember- kitty LOVES to climb high up that tree trunk) We strongly recommend not decorating your tree with tinsel if there are cats in your household. If you have a live Christmas tree this year, be careful not to let your pet drink from the tree stand or eat pine needles. The water additives used to preserve the life of the tree can be toxic and the oils in pine needles cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.

We hope this information ensures you and your pets have a safe and happy holiday season..