Christmas Trees/ Decorations

• Pine needles along with wire hooks and small breakable ornaments can cause injury as they pass through the intestinal tract.
• Ensure your tree is well anchored as cats often find them an enticing object to climb, or as in the case of dogs, tug at or knock it over with their strong tails.
• Tinsel, ribbons and other strings can be extremely problematic as they are an exciting toy especially for cats, but can lead to intestinal blockages as they tangle the small intestines or ball up in the stomach.
• Preservatives in the water for your tree can lead to stomach upset.
• Electric cords are often fun to pull and chew on for many of our curious pets. Remember, electrocution, shocks or even severe burns are a major risk.

• Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine and toxicity increases with the darkness of the chocolate. Keep all chocolate treats safely stored away. Though not harmful to us, these toxins can be deadly to cats and dogs.
• Macadamia nuts contain an unknown dog specific toxin that leads to weakness, hindend paresis and ataxia.
• Raisins in an individual unknown quantity can cause kidney disease and failure.
• Table scraps can not only lead to obesity issues and potential food allergy concerns or even pancreatitis, but bones, especially poultry, are dangerous. They can lodge in the throat or within the intestinal tract leading to a foreign body obstruction requiring surgery to remove.
• Alcohol intoxication can be a serious issue in dogs as the substance can be very attractive to our canine friends. Signs of intoxication include the expected, a wobbly gait, depression, disorientation and vomiting.
• Xylitol is a dangerous artificial sweetener. Avoid at all costs. This sugar substitute found in chewing gum, some candies and baked goods can lead to liver failure.

• The poinsettia plant is not necessarily toxic, but ingestion of its sappy leaves can lead to digestive upset causing excess salivation, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Amaryllis bulbs can also lead to intestinal upset, such as vomiting and hypersalivation. However with dehydration as a possible outcome, especially in cats, caution should be ensued when having these around.
• Holly has the same toxic compounds as chocolate and can cause digestive upset along with nervous system depression.
• Mistletoe is a very serious toxic threat to our animal friends. Severe digestive tract irritation, as well as a decrease in heart rate and temperature, breathing difficulties, unsteadiness and increase in thirst can be seen. Seizures, coma and even death can be possible if large enough amounts are ingested.

• Visitors are always a warm welcome over the holidays, in most instances. However, with all the hustle and bustle sneaky pets can escape outdoors so ensure proper identification is present on every animal household member. Advise guests to watch for any escapes and to refrain from offering any treats. It is always good to have healthy appropriate treats available. If your pets are hesitant around children, discuss this with visitors so stressful encounters can be minimized as anxiety levels can be high in these instances. Provide a safe and quiet place with fresh water for your pet to retreat to during times of high stress.
• Pets as gifts can provide a warm addition however with all the excitement and stress the holidays bring, the care and attention a new housemate requires can be forgotten. Instead why not think of giving a gift certificate to your local SPCA or humane society so the new addition can be introduced to the home as things settle down in the New Year.

Information gathered from the following sources: the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and Healthy Pet, the BC SPCA and the Animal Poison Control Centre.