1. FOOD - common holiday ingredients that can be deadly alone or if contained in foods or may cause severe problems such as kidney failure, stomach upset, heart irregular rhythms, and seizures:
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Currants
- Chocolate
- Avocados
- Candy
- Coffee
- Onions
- Garlic
- Gum
- Macadamia Nuts
- Salt
- Tea
- Yeast
3. HOLLY AND MISTLETOE - Holly and mistletoe would probably be easily viewed as food for puppies if left where they could grab them. These can result in stomach upset or heart rhythm problems.
4. SNOW GLOBES - Some snow globes have antifreeze in them and if broken and lapped up will become a major problem.
5. ORNAMENT HANGERS - Avoid using metal ornament hangers as these are small pieces of wire that can be easily ingested but can cause a multitude of problems going through the intestine and in some cases do not make it out so require surgical removal.
6. ALCOHOL- Alcohol although fun for humans can be deadly to a dog. Keep all alcohol safe and away from pets at all times- even if you think your dog won't drink it, dogs love to try new things!
7. WRAPPINGS - After the wrapping and unwrapping of gifts around the holidays it's important to pic up the little pieces of ribbon, tape, wrapping paper, string, etc. as these items do not travel through the digestive system well!
8. TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE - With all the food around, some of it is bound to end up in the trash, soiled and ripe with mold which is a perfect recipe for a doggie-bound snack. Eating moldy food can negatively impact a dog's organs and cause systematic problems.
9. CLEANING PRODUCTS - After the gatherings, much cleaning is usually in store! With family and friends all getting together to clean before or after parties, make sure there isn't anything lying around for your dog to get into. Even though you may be aware to not leave anything in-reach, make sure your friends are conscious of it too! Top toxic cleaning products to dogs:
- Bleach
- Detergents
- Disinfectants
- Drain cleaners
- Fabric softener
- Lime & Scale removers
- Oven cleaners
- Soap
- Solvents
10. NEW PEOPLE- Although new people aren't toxic to dogs, with plenty of friends and family visiting around the holidays make sure that your dog doesn't become overwhelmed and is eating/drinking as he/she normally does. Although many holiday gatherings seem fun to people, dogs can develop anxiety, stop eating, territorial aggressiveness, etc.
Statistics say that 6-8 weeks before and after Halloween is an extremely dangerous time for most pets, in part due to weather, in part due to accidental poisonings, accidents, illnesses brought on by all the above, etc. Make sure to always have the contact information for a local emergency vet on hand at all times especially around the holidays!
