our advice: ASK DR. CATE
Vet Rap by
Dr. Ryan Cate
BY DR. RYAN CATE and
MELISSA MOORMAN
Question:
Dear Dr. Cte:
We have a shelter
pet we’ve recently
adopted. How can we
keep him safe through
the upcoming holi-
day season and what
should we watch out
for?
44
Answer:
The holidays are a great
time to spend with friends and
family, and congratulations
on your new addition. But,
it’s also a time when your dog
or cat can end up in the vet’s
office, which no one has time
for during this hectic time.
Here are a few things to watch
out for during the upcoming
seasons.
Christmas trees are hazard-
ous in several different ways
for our pets. Make sure they
are secured and weighed
down so they can’t be knocked
over easily. Also, make sure
that ornaments are hung high
enough so as not to tempt your
furry friends. They can end up
with an intestinal blockage, as
most ornaments aren’t edible.
If you have a live tree, be care-
ful of them [your pets] drinking
the water at the base. It can
have preservatives, chemicals
and bacteria in it that can
make your pet ill.
Electric cords are another
danger around the house
during the holidays. Make
sure they are taped down or
tied back so they won’t tempt
your pet to chew on them, get
tangled up in them, or trip on
them.
Think through what you
have out on your tabletops or
on the floor. Some decorations
might look or smell like food to
your pet — especially potpour-
ri or other scented items that
smell like food might be too
tempting for them to resist.
While it’s a great time for
holiday foods, many of those
are toxic to animals. Nuts,
alcohol, raisins, chocolate and
coffee can be poisonous to
our pets. Also don’t pass along
bones to your dog from holiday
meats like ham or turkey. They
can splinter in your dog’s stom-
ach or intestines. Those same
foods with a large fat content
can even lead to pancreatitis
or other gastrointestinal upset.
Ask your vet if a small bite of
turkey is okay for a special
treat.
Flames are a concern during
this season, especially around
our pets. Candles can be upset
and cause fires in your home
at any time of year, but espe-
cially during the holidays when
you have a house full of guests
who might make your animals
nervous or high strung.
Holiday plants can also be
a concern. Keep dogs and cats
away from poinsettias, mistle-
toe and lilies, because they can
cause stomach upset and irrita-
tion if eaten.
Lastly, although this isn’t a
holiday item, keep your pets
safe from antifreeze. It’s highly
toxic to all pets.
If you are careful with these
few items, you can enjoy the
festive season with your new
family member and not have to
take time out for an emergency
trip to the vet.