Photo by Dimakp.

The holidays may promise great times, but they also promise increased chances for pets to become ill. It is easy to forget just how many dangers are present to pets this time of year, especially as we get caught up in celebrating the season.

Halloween

Many types of candy can make your dog or cat sick. Chocolate and sugarless chewing gum are the more serious ones. Sugarless gum contains xylitol, which can also be found in some mints, baking mixes and food for diabetics.

Candy wrappers can be irritating to the intestines and cause vomiting or even the potential for an impaction. It’s always recommended to keep your pets, especially cats, indoors, but particularly keep them inside on the night kids trick-or-treat. It’s easy for a pet to slip out the door when it is opened frequently and there is lots of commotion.

Candles in carved pumpkins can burn pets when they explore them. Glow sticks carried by children can be bitten, causing ingestion of chemicals into your pet’s mouth.

Dogs and cats, the latter in particular, are not usually fond of costumes for long periods of time. If they do wear them, put it on them for a short period of time before trick-or-treaters arrive, take your photos, and then take it off when you might be distracted later in the evening when children come to your door.

Some pets do not do well with all the activity around Halloween, so find them a warm, quiet spot to make it through the night with minimal trauma.

Thanksgiving

Turkey skin, gravy, scraps and the fixings that go along with this meal can cause severe stomach and intestinal upset in animals. It can even lead to pancreatitis, a very painful condition that might require hospitalization.

The string used to tie the turkey is flavorful and readily ingested by a pet. This string can cause a severe problem with the intestines, leading to a rupture and emergency surgery. Other Thanksgiving foodstuffs to watch for are sage, nuts, onion, garlic and nutmeg. And don’t forget to keep your pet away from any turkey bones that can splinter or get stuck in their intestines. The alcohol that is so readily available is also toxic.

One of the biggest threats is the day after Thanksgiving, when you dog has found the trash containing irresistible smells and tastes. So, dispose of your post-feast scraps so that they are not accessible to any of your pets.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Gastronomically speaking, this season has the same threats as Thanksgiving. In addition, pets can bite or swallow seasonal decorations, gift wrap and ornamental lighting. Broken ornaments and lights can also cut paw pads.

Tinsel is especially problematic and understandably irresistible to cats. It has sharp edges and can easily cut through the intestines, leading to severe stomach disease and emergency surgery to save your pet’s life.

Artificial and natural Christmas trees can contain preservatives, pesticides, toxins and oils to keep them fresh and prevent fires. The water used to keep a real tree fresh can contain these toxins, so keep it covered. Needles from trees can be ingested or inhaled, or penetrate body parts, causing serious harm.

Leaves or berries of any holiday plants can be toxic, so keep your pet away from all of them to be safe. This is especially true for holly, mistletoe and poinsettias. Lilies are extremely toxic to cats. The water at the base of these plants contains these toxins, so keep it covered.

Biting into the extra electrical cords used to light Christmas decorations can cause a severe lung reaction, leading to fluid buildup and death. Keep cords covered if possible. Batteries for toys are easily bitten or swallowed. This can cause an obstruction or severe toxicity.

Let’s not forget the ubiquitous fruitcake. Nobody seems to eat it, but your pet readily will. Since fruitcake contains candied fruits, spices, sometimes alcohol, and nuts, your pet can become ill.

Enjoy your holidays, and be sure that it’s a good time for your cats, dogs, rabbits and every other nonhuman that shares your hearth and home!