Holiday Warnings

The holidays are here! In refrigerators EVERYWHERE, turkey remains will be lurking, waiting for late-night snackers, looking for a special treat. I know most people are familiar with the dangers many human foods pose for our companion animals, but this seems to be a good time to remind everyone...experienced and

novice pet owners alike...about some of the more common foods that are harmful to dogs and cats. First of all, NEVER give a dog or cat any kind of cooked poultry bones. Many people think they are doing their pet dog or cat a tremendous favor by giving them the turkey carcass to knaw on after the holiday, but poultry and pork bones become very brittle when cooked. These brittle bones easily splinter when chewed and the animal will end up swallowing what can be likened to sewing needles. The sharp bone fragments are then capable of puncturing various parts of the digestive tract. It is never a good idea to give a dog any kind

of cooked bone, but poultry and pork bones are especially dangerous.

Chocolate is a food treat frequently found around the house during this festive time of year, especially BAKER'S CHOCOLATE, used in holiday baking recipes. Chocolate in ANY form is toxic to dogs and cats, but the MOST LETHAL form of

chocolate is BAKER'S CHOCOLATE. ALL chocolate contains a chemical

known as THEOBROMINE. This chemical CANNOT BE METABOLIZED by dogs, cats or domestic cage birds. Some dogs are apparently able to

eat chocolate for years without ill effects. HOWEVER...at some point the toxic level WILL be reached and the problem is, there is no way of knowing at what level Theobromine will cause a toxic reaction. Some dogs (and size seems to have little to do with it) can become deathly ill after eating as little as a half ounce of chocolate. Others can eat it for years and then one day...WHAMMO!...The dog becomes seriously ill. So be safe. NEVER GIVE CHOCOLATE IN ANY FORM AS A TREAT! It WILL poison your dog, sooner or later!

Caffeine, also found in chocolate as well as other goodies, is another

substance that is toxic to dogs, cats and domestic cage birds. Onions, in

any form, are also toxic to dogs.

Two toxic plants found in the house this time of year are Mistletoe and poinsietta. The leaves of the poinsietta and the berries of mistletoe are toxic. Use fake plants or be very sure to keep them out of the reach of your pet!

Another common decoration used this time of year is tinsel. This can become

tangled in the intestines of your pet dog or cat should it be ingested. Tree lights can be another source of danger. Check the electric cords to make sure they are in good condition and make sure your puppy, kitten or bird does not have access to the tree or trimmings.

Anti-freeze is toxic to dogs, cats and kids. There is a new brand on the market this year called "Sierra" which is advertised as being non-toxic to pets and children.

At this time of year and all year round remember...an ounce of prevention is worth a BIG vet bill! I hope you and yours have the safest, happiest and healthiest of all holiday seasons!

BE WELL - Gloria S. Dittmann

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