A Happy & Safe Holiday Season: Pet Safety Tips from ToGo Vet’s Mobile Veterinarians
The holiday season is just around the corner! As we look forward to festive gatherings, sparkling decorations, and delicious feasts, it's wonderful to include our furry, scaled, or feathered family members in the celebrations. However, amidst the cheer and excitement, potential hazards for our pets can be hidden in plain sight.
At ToGo Vet, we want to help ensure that your holidays are joyful and safe for every family member. The first step is to be aware of common dangers found in festive foods and popular decorations.
Beware These Festive Foods: Keep Them Out of Paws' Reach!
Sharing holiday meals is a cherished tradition, but many human treats can cause serious problems for pets. Resist those pleading eyes and keep these items securely away:
Grapes & Raisins: Even small amounts can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. This includes fruitcakes, stuffings, or ambrosia salad containing them.
Fatty, Sweet, or Spicy Foods: Rich, fatty scraps (e.g., turkey skin or gravy), sugary treats, and spicy dishes can lead to gastrointestinal upset (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea) or even painful and potentially dangerous pancreatitis.
Bones (Especially Cooked): Cooked bones become brittle and can easily splinter, posing a choking hazard or causing severe internal damage if ingested. Stick to pet-safe chew toys instead.
Chocolate, Coffee & Alcohol:
Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which is toxic to pets. Darker chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Symptoms range from vomiting to seizures and heart problems.
Coffee/Caffeine: Like chocolate, caffeine is a stimulant that can have dangerous effects on the heart and nervous system.
Alcohol: Even small amounts of alcoholic beverages or food containing alcohol can cause intoxication, low blood sugar, respiratory failure, and coma in pets.
Holiday Plants: Pretty but Potentially Poisonous
Festive plants can brighten our homes, but several common varieties are toxic if nibbled on by curious pets:
Lilies (ESPECIALLY for Cats): All parts of lilies (e.g., Stargazer, Tiger, Easter, Daylilies, etc.) are extremely toxic to cats, causing rapid and severe kidney failure. If you have cats, it is safest to avoid having lilies in your home altogether. Even licking pollen off their fur can be fatal.
Mistletoe: Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea) and, in larger amounts, potential cardiovascular or neurological issues.
Holly: If ingested, the berries and leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
Suspect Your Pet Ate Something Toxic? ACT FAST!
If you see your pet eat something potentially harmful, or even if you just suspect they might have, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Time is critical in poisoning cases.
Contact a veterinarian immediately. ToGo Vet’s mobile vets are here to help you anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Prompt veterinary evaluation is essential. Your vet can assess the situation based on what was ingested, how much, and your pet's size and health status. They can determine if inducing vomiting is safe and appropriate, administer treatments like activated charcoal to limit absorption, and provide crucial supportive care. Delaying treatment can significantly impact the outcome.
Expert Care Rooted in Experience
Navigating a potential pet emergency during the holidays is incredibly stressful. Knowing you have experienced help available provides peace of mind. Dr. Elizabeth Tenborg, President and owner of ToGo Vet, brings a wealth of relevant experience to these situations.
With over 15 years dedicated to protecting animal health, Dr. Tenborg also spent more than six years working as an emergency medicine veterinarian. During that time, she frequently managed critical cases involving the very toxicities discussed here. She understands the urgency and the nuances of treating pets affected by holiday hazards.
Your Next Step for a Safe Holiday
The best approach is always prevention – keep dangerous foods and plants well out of reach. Supervise pets during gatherings and advise guests not to share food.
However, accidents can happen. If you are concerned that your pet may have ingested a potentially toxic food or plant or if you have any questions about keeping your pets safe this holiday season, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Elizabeth Tenborg or the ToGo Vet team. You can call Dr. Tenborg directly at (916) 295-0607 or use the contact form here.
We wish you and your beloved companions a wonderfully happy and, above all, safe holiday season!