contain antifreeze . The site also recommends burning non-toxic candles in lieu of popular liquid potpourri burners , especially if there are cats in the house . Just a few licks can cause chemical burns in the mouth , tremors and difficulty breathing . Cats tend to nibble on house plants that can , in some cases , be toxic to their kidneys or cause gastrointestinal irritation . For cats , even one Tylenol is deadly .
Being mindful and keeping dangerous things out of reach will help keep pets out of the emergency room . A few tips to help keep pets safe around holiday décor include unplugging the tree lights when unattended , not placing food gifts under the tree even if wrapped , and not using tinsel around cats . “ Pets are curious , and during the holidays we have all kinds of unusual things around the house ,” Phillips said . “ I tell people to think of it like they are going to baby-proof a house . You are going to do the same kind of thing for your pet during the holidays -- and the rest of the year .”
The debate about feeding table scraps to pets is one that hangs around . Some people are fine with it while others ( who have probably run into problems ) are not . A lot of feeding table scraps has to do with what is in the scraps . Dogs can develop a condition called pancreatitis . Pancreatitis is defined as the condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed and the result is abdominal pain , inappetence , and vomiting . The dog may also have dark , bloody stools . The high protein / high fat that are not normally in your pet ’ s diet causes inflammation which triggers the inappropriate , early activation of an enzyme within the pancreas , which causes the pancreas to digest itself . It is a very painful , miserable experience for the dog , and it can be fatal if not treated . Dogs who get into the trash and ingest scraps or scraps that are set out that are high in oils and fats can trigger this condition . Cooked bones , especially poultry bones , can also be a potential threat . Raw bones are not dangerous but once they are cooked , they tend to splinter onto shards that can become impaled into the gut of the dog . I have seen many dogs have to undergo surgery to remove an object from their intestines that they cannot pass . There are also some dangers with chewable treats .
Dog chews come in many forms , but edible and non-edible chews are the two main categories . Non-edible chews are made of a material such as rubber , nylon , or plastic that is not intended to be consumed . Edible chews such as natural bones , rawhide , tendons , or other animal parts like dried organs can provide your dog with entertainment and a delicious treat . The best way to handle these treats is to know what kind of chewer your dog is . Aggressive chewers can be aggressive and don ’ t know their limits – this can lead to potential choking or swallowing of large pieces causing intestinal issues . All dog chews have the potential to become
dangerous for your pet – supervision is the best way to avoid problems . Keep a close eye on your dog and remove the chew if the chew becomes too damaged . The same can be said for toys . Toys with stuffing and squeakers can become choking hazards and intestinal impaction hazards without supervision . Its best to keep an eye on what your dog is working on to avoid an expensive trip to the vet !
Dr . Todd Archer , MSU-CVM assistant professor of small animal medicine , said the Pet Poison Helpline and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals websites have reliable information about dangers for pets , but both also staff minimal-fee hotlines 24 hours a day , 365 days a year . For more information about holiday pet hazards , visit the Pet Poison Helpline at http :// www . petpoisonhelpline . com / and the ASPCA at http :// www . aspca . org / Home / Pet-care / poison-control . The Pet Poison Helpline can be reached at 1-800- 213-6680 . The ASPCA ’ s poison hotline can be reached at 1-888-426-4435 .
Shani Hay MSU Extension Service Lauderdale County
www . meridianstar . com
• 25