11 Holiday Safety Tips For Your Pet
As the holiday season approaches, our homes transform into bustling hubs of celebration. Among the twinkling lights and festive feasts, it's essential to remember the well-being of our beloved pets. While they eagerly partake in the holiday excitement, their safety must remain a priority.
Mind the Decorations: Holiday decorations can be fascinating to our pets but can also be dangerous. Keep a close eye on tinsel, ribbon, and small ornaments that could be choking hazards. Opt for pet-friendly decorations and secure larger ones out of your pet's reach.
Create a Calm Retreat: Holiday gatherings can be overwhelming for pets with all the noise and commotion. Designate a quiet, safe space where your furry friend can retreat when they need a break. Provide comfortable bedding, water, and their favorite comfort items to make it an inviting, relaxing place.
Watch the Door: Holiday gatherings mean more people coming and going from your home. Keep an eye on your pets near the door, as they may try to slip outside, especially if they're anxious or curious about the guests.
Secure the Trash: The aroma of holiday leftovers can be irresistible to pets. Ensure trash cans are securely closed or kept in a pet-proof area to prevent scavenging, which can lead to digestive issues.
Pet-Proof Your Feast: Be cautious about what your pets consume while indulging in holiday feasts. Many human foods, such as chocolate, grapes, onions, and alcohol, can be toxic to pets. A trigger for pancreatitis in our furry friends often stems from the consumption of high-fat foods. During holiday seasons, this can include indulgences such as turkey (especially the skin), fatty leftovers, gravy, bacon, and dishes with butter. Keep festive foods out of their reach and discourage guests from feeding them table scraps. Never give your pet cooked bones. Bones can splinter into shards that injure your pet's mouth and digestive tract. They can also harden in their intestines, causing a blockage.
Be Cautious with Candles: If you're using candles for ambiance, place them out of your pet's reach. Curious pets can knock them over and cause fires or burns. Consider using flameless, battery-operated candles as a safer alternative.
Limit Access to Electrical Cords: Holiday lights and decorations often come with electrical cords that can attract pets. Use cord covers or secure them in a way that keeps your pets from chewing on them, which can lead to electrical shock.
Avoid Harmful Plants: Certain holiday plants, like poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly, can be toxic to pets if ingested. Keep them away, or consider using artificial alternatives to keep your pets safe and your home festive. Curious about which other plants are harmful to your pets? Click here to find out!
Introduce Your Pet to New Faces: If you're hosting guests, especially those with children or other pets, ensure proper introductions with your own pets. Some pets may be anxious around unfamiliar faces, so a gradual introduction can help ease tension. Remind guests, especially children, how to properly interact with your pet to avoid potential anxiety in your pet that may result in a reactive bite or scratch. If your pet isn't fond of company, escort them to their safe space and check on them during the event.
On The Road Again: If the holiday takes you on a road trip, make sure your pet is wearing proper identification, a harness that is secured to a tether or doggy seat belt (do not attach any restraint directly to their collar), or place them in their crate (secured to the vehicle in the event of an accident). Bring food/treats, bowls, water, leash, potty supplies, blanket, medication, first-aid kit, toys, and vet documents. Create a list of emergency vets along your route in case of emergency or illness.
Exercise Your Pal: Be mindful of your pet's need for proper exercise during the busy season. Create a schedule that allows time to care for your pet, or call your local pet-sitting company for assistance!
Resources
VETSS
Xylitol Poisoning In Dogs
Stash your gum and check your peanut butter label because there is a commonly used ingredient called xylitol in many foods and products made for human-use. Xylitol, also known as birch wood, is often seen in sugar-free desserts, certain peanut butters, and even baby wipes.
Stash your gum and check your peanut butter label because there is a commonly used ingredient called xylitol in many foods and products made for human-use. Xylitol, also known as birch wood, is often seen in sugar-free desserts, certain peanut butters, and even baby wipes.
It doesn’t take much to cause harm to your pooch. For example, one piece of gum is toxic to a 10-pound dog!¹ This sugar can make its way into the paws of many pups since it is frequently used, and humans tend to be unaware of its hazards to dogs. If you are a dog pawrent, educate yourself on this important pet-safety topic now!
What is it and why is it dangerous: Xylitol is a natural sugar derived from plants that has a very sweet taste, can keep items moist, and is heat-stable, which means it doesn’t carmelize.³
People can ingest xylitol because it doesn’t cause a change in blood sugar, making it a popular sugar substitute. Unfortunately, in canines it has the opposite effect. When a dog ingests xylitol, it is absorbed quickly and signals the pancreas to release a large amount of insulin, resulting in a sudden drop in blood sugar that can lead to a number of side effects, including death.
Products commonly containing xylitol:
Dental products: gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, breath mints
Toiletries: shampoo, moisturizer, deodorant, baby wipes, sunscreen, cosmetics
Medicines: cough syrup, cough drops, nasal spray, chewable/gummy vitamins
Foods: peanut butter, fruit drinks, drink powder, jelly/jam, cereal, Jell-O, ketchup, syrup, sugar-free desserts, and ice cream
700+ products containing xylitol can be viewed by clicking here
This is an emergency!: If you suspect your dog has ingested xylitol, you should immediately have your dog evaluated and treated by a veterinarian. Left untreated, this can quickly turn into a life-threatening event.
Pet Poison Number: 800-213-6680
Symptoms: Signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may appear 10 mins after ingestion, while in others cases, it could take over 24 hours for a sign or symptom.
Vomiting
Loss of balance
Stumbling
Weakness
Lethargy
Depression
Tremors
Seizures
Collapsing
Lack of coordination
Coma
How common is ingestion?: The Pet Poison Helpline reported a 108% increase in calls regarding xylitol poisoning between 2015 and 2020, and their database has more than 20,000 cases between 2013-2020! ²
Other names: Xylitol can be listed as “inactive ingredients” or “other ingredients” on product labels. It isn’t always listed as xylitol and may be disguised under a different name, such as²:
Alcohol Sugar
Birch Sugar
Wood Sugar
Birch Bark Extract
CHO
E967
Meso-Xylitol
Méso-Xylitol
Pentahydric alcohol
Penta-hydroxy
Pentane
Sucre de Bouleau
Wood Extract
Xilitol, Xylit, Xylite
Xylo-pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol
In the news: Currently, steps are being taken to minimize the amount of this type of poisoning as cited from Whole Dog Journal, “…bipartisan legislation (called the Paws Off Act of 2021) that would require manufacturers of any product containing xylitol to include a warning label has been introduced in Congress.”³
References:
1.) AKC
2.) Dr. Beth Turner
3.) Whole Dog