The holiday season is a time for joy…a time for
shopping, presents, baking goodies, decorations, and visiting with family and
friends. Let’s not forget that
this busy season can be a dangerous time for our dogs.
As our homes fill with bright colors and intoxicating scents, ordinary
daily routines transform into days filled with visitors, shiny decorations, and
new things for our dogs to explore. We
must keep the safety and comfort of our dogs in the forefront of our minds.
Below are some reminders of many common dangers the season poses for our
dogs.
As tempted as we might be to give our dogs holiday leftovers as a special
treat, keep in mind that rich, fatty food scraps and cooked bones can play havoc
with the digestive system. Changes
in the diet and gas producing foods can contribute to bloat, as can devouring
these tempting morsels quickly.
Leftover turkey can cause pancreatitis.
Cooked bones can break and cut the stomach, so extra care should be taken
that our dogs cannot get at leftovers on a counter or into the garbage.
Be on the alert for symptoms of unsuccessful
retching, vomiting and diarrhea (particularly bloody diarrhea), pacing, panting,
drooling, enlarged stomach/torso, and/or signs of distress.
Chocolate
can be fatal in large quantities. Chocolate
contains theobromine; an ounce or two can be lethal to a dog weighing 10 pounds
or less. Chocolate also contains caffeine, another stimulant and smooth muscle
relaxant, which can enhance the effects of theobromine. If
you know or suspect that your dog has eaten large quantities of chocolate and/or
see signs of vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, hyperactivity, or seizures, seek
medical assistance immediately.
Dogs and cats lack the
enzyme needed to properly digest onions. Daily addition or large quantities of
onion can cause red blood cells to become fragile and break apart, causing
anemia.