Mary Allen
Christmas is an atmospheric holiday that gathers loved ones, even the four-legged friends. But among the goodies and decorations, many dangers lurk for pets. Here are the dangers you should avoid!
Christmas Food and Decorations That Can Harm the Animals
Raisins, bitter almonds, and chocolate are examples of foods that are harmful to both the dog and the cat. The biggest danger is chocolate poisoning, which initially causes abdominal pain and vomiting. Cocoa contains the toxic substance theobromine, which the animals are unable to break down. In the worst case, chocolate poisoning can be fatal.
Both dogs and cats can put on smaller ornaments that get stuck in the neck and in the worst-case suffocate them. It is especially tempting for the dog if you have accidentally spilled something from the Christmas mess so that the ornament tastes and smells of food. The cat is often tempted to play with garlands and packing cords. If it ingests this, there may be a blockage in the gastrointestinal system, often with surgery as a result.
– Remember to put dangerous Christmas decorations and tempting food out of the reach of your pets. It is also good to be extra vigilant if your four-legged family members accompany you to Christmas celebrations with relatives and friends, says Christine Ehrlander, claims manager at Sveland Djurforsakringar.
Common But Harmful Ingredients
Onions are a common ingredient in several of the Christmas table dishes, e.g. in meatballs, prince sausages, and herring pickles. All types of onions, both raw and cooked, contain allicin. This substance can cause damage to the animals’ livers and other organs. If you are unlucky, your pets can suffer from allicin poisoning. Some symptoms include anemia, palpitations, diarrhea, and vomiting. Even unfermented dough can be dangerous for pets to eat. If the dog or cat ingests a larger amount of unfermented dough, this can ferment in the stomach, which causes alcohol to form. This in turn can lead to the animal being poisoned.
Veterinary Visits Costly During the Christmas Weekend
If you are unlucky, the accident can leave a big hole in your wallet. During major weekends, the costs for veterinary care are higher as there is an on-call fee. Smaller clinics are often closed and refer to larger players.
Dangerous Christmas Food:
Onions: contains allicin which is toxic to dogs and cats. Symptoms include anemia, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, rapid breathing, palpitations, red urine, and abdominal pain.
Unleavened dough: may cause alcohol poisoning. A clear symptom is that the animal is under the influence of alcohol.
Chocolate: theobromine is found in cocoa and is very toxic (dog chocolate that you buy in the pet store does not contain chocolate or cocoa). Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and incontinence. May lead to epileptic seizures, internal bleeding, and myocardial infarction.
Bitter almond: contains cyanide which is lethal to humans as well as dogs and cats in large quantities. Symptoms include weakness, nausea, vomiting, and unconsciousness.
Raisins and currants: may cause xylitol poisoning. The dog and cat react through vomiting, diarrhea, shakiness, and fatigue.
Dangerous Christmas Decorations:
Glitter and garlands: can cause serious damage to the stomach and intestines if swallowed.
Glass balls: Can break and cause wound damage, use plastic balls instead. Also watch out for plant nutrients for the Christmas tree, so that the dog or cat does not drink from the Christmas tree base.
Advent candlesticks: can damage both dog, cat, and home if the accident occurs, so keep an eye on your pets this Christmas.