KEEP PETS SAFE DURING THE WINTER

Winter, along with the upcoming holidays, can bring many dangers your pet’s way. Check out these tips to assure your pet’s health and safety.

1. Antifreeze. During the cold months, antifreeze is often found dripping onto a garage floor or driveway. Just a lick or two could result in death of your pet by causing kidney failure. Although animals do find it tasty, even pets that don’t “get into things” can walk through it and accidentally lick their paws causing an emergency situation. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect antifreeze ingestion!!

2. Water Supply. Just because it is cold outside or there is plenty of snow around, doesn’t mean your animal doesn’t require a supply of fresh water. If your pets are outside be sure they have fresh water – there are many affordable “heated” water bowls on the market to keep water from freezing.

3. Check Your Pet’s Paws. Ice and snow can cause your pet injury too. From lacerations to the paw, cracking of the pads or irritations to the skin inside the pads due to trapped moisture. Pet’s can also slip on the ice just as we can, so it is important to check their legs and back regularly for sensitivity or pain.

4. Baking More, Cooking More….More “Treats” to Keep Your Pet’s Away From. Yummy baked goods have a place in our homes this time of year…just make sure those treats are stored where animals cannot reach them.

• Chocolate, coffee, and tea contain theobromin, an ingredient that’s extremely toxic to pets.
•  Grapes are common on many holiday cheese platters and raisins find there way into many baked items as yummy as those are to us, beware….they are both toxic to dogs and can cause acute renal failure.
•  Xylitol, a sugar substitute often found in gum, mints, candies, sugar-free baked goods and other winter favorites are also toxic to our pets.
• Raw dough containing yeast can “rise” once a pet ingests it, causing gas to build up in its digestive tract. Not only is this highly uncomfortable, but it can also cause the stomach and intestines to rupture from the pressure.
•  Never share turkey, ham or fish bones with your pet as they can splinter and cause intestinal tearing or they can become stuck in the pet’s throat. Raw meat, juice-soaked string and plastic or foil wrap can have fatal consequences for your pet as well. Raw meat may be infected with bacteria or parasites like T-gondii, E.coli or salmonella, while string and foil or plastic wrap can cause intestinal obstruction or choking. So, make sure all garbage cans have tight-fitting, secure lids and are stored in a location that cannot be accessed by your pet. Also, keep a close eye on your pets during after-dinner clean-up time!

5. Toxic Holiday Plants. Mistletoe and holly berries are toxic, pointsettias can cause blistering in a pet’s mouth as well as stomach irritation, Christmas tree bark can cause stomach upset  and the sap can cause skin irritations.

6. Holiday Decorations. Tinsel, ribbon and wrapping supplies can cause obstruction or bunching of the intestine which can cause emergency surgery and be fatal if left untreated. Cute holiday décor looks like a new toy to your pet, so keep them out of reach of pets so they are not chewed on causing intestinal issues in your pet and frustration when you try to replace that holiday family heirloom!

7. Holiday Cheer. Tobacco and alcohol consumption is increased during the holidays. Tobacco ingestion can cause pets to seize or collapse and die from cardiac arrest. Alcoholic beverages can taste good to pets but can be harmful as well. Watch that Fido stays out of the eggnog!