The food and decorations that make the holidays so much fun for us can be dangerous for your pet. We do not want this blog post to dampen your holiday spirits, but we do want you to be aware of the dangers and plan carefully to avoid these potential hazards.
Food and Food-Related Items
Holiday foods we enjoy cooking and eating can be a problem for your pet. Rich, fatty foods, like gravy or grease, can cause problems ranging from stomach upsets to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas resulting in pain, vomiting, and dehydration. Cats with this serious condition often require hospitalization for treatment.
Alcohol can cause serious intoxication for pets, and many pets are attracted to it. Clean up glasses after holiday parties. Cats are often attracted by the sweet taste of drinks, especially eggnog.
Chocolate, coffee, and tea all contain dangerous components called xanthines, which cause nervous system or urinary system damage and heart muscle stimulation. Although chocolate ingestion is more of a problem in dogs, cats may also have signs ranging from diarrhea to seizures and death. Unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the worst culprits, but all chocolate, fudge, and other candy should be placed out of your cat’s reach.
Uncooked meat, fish, and poultry can contain disease-
causing bacteria, such as E. coli, and parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii. These uncooked foods should not be given to your cat. For your own health, as well as your pet’s, wash utensils that have been in contact with raw meat, and cook meat thoroughly.
Bones from fish, meat, or poultry can also cause problems if swallowed. Even small bones can splinter causing lacerations (tearing) throughout the intestinal tract. So, no matter how big or how little they are, be sure to keep bones (other than those that are specially sterilized and treated) away from your pet.
Tobacco products can be fatal to pets if ingested. Signs of poisoning develop within 15 to 45 minutes and include excitation, salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pets may develop seizures, collapse, and die from cardiac arrest. Keep cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, nicotine gum and patches, and ashtrays out of the reach of pets. Empty ashtrays frequently since cigarettes butts contain about 25% of the total nicotine in a cigarette.
Uncooked yeast dough can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.
Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.
Remember, cats have an exceptional sense of smell – juices on plastic or aluminum foil left on countertops are very tempting. If ingested, plastic or foil wrap (cellophane candy wrappers or food wrap) can cause choking or intestinal obstruction. Meat-soaked strings from rump roasts are also enticing. Ingestion can be the cause of a surgical emergency called a “linear string foreign body” in the intestines. To be safe, put away food immediately and pet-proof your garbage.
Garbage contains all kinds of other hazards for your cat such as plastic wrap and bags, 6-pack beverage holders that can cause strangulation, fat trimmings, bones, and pieces of ribbon or tinsel. Feed your pet(s) before a party so they will not be so apt to beg or steal food.
Poisonous Plants
We all like making our homes more festive for the holidays. We enjoy the green foliage and colorful flowers of plants. Unfortunately, many of the plants we have in our homes during the holidays can be poisonous to pets. If ingested, holly (leaves and berries) causes stomach upset and can be potentially fatal to both cats and dogs. Mistletoe upsets stomachs and can cause heart collapse, while hibiscus may cause diarrhea. Poinsettias have an irritating sap that can cause blistering in the mouth and stomach upset. When you brighten up your home, place these plants well out of your cat’s reach, or use imitation holiday plants.
Decorations and Wrappings
All that glitters is not gold – and it could be dangerous for your pet. Ribbons, yarn, and string can cause intestinal obstruction and bunching of the intestine along the length of the string. These conditions require surgery and can be fatal. Ribbons around your cat’s neck may be cute, but they can also be dangerous.
Adhesives and glues can be toxic and are often attractive to animals.
Potpourri contains oils that can be toxic to cats if eaten. We may not think of eating it, but some curious pets may.
Candles can cause burns and fires. Never leave lighted candles unattended or within reach of your pet.
Gifts Under the Tree
Edible items left under the tree can be very tempting. Remember that companies (even Drs. Foster & Smith!) often package pet gifts wrapped in ribbon. Make sure to remove ribbons or ties before you present gifts to your cat. If played with and swallowed, yarn, ribbon, or string on gifts can cause intestinal obstruction, requiring surgery. Perfumes and adhesives contain ethanol (alcohol), and perfume also contains essential oils which can be very toxic to cats if ingested. Batteries for toys or other gifts can be toxic and cause intestinal obstruction. Keep them in a safe place until they are ready to be inserted in the gift.
This blog post was adapted from a newsletter article originally written by Marty Smith, DVM and Holly Nash, DVM, MS, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Pacific Siamese Rescue 