With Thanksgiving and other winter holidays approaching, pet parents want to find ways to include their furry family members in the celebrations. However, things that are safe for humans aren’t always safe for your pets. Certain foods, drinks, and decorations may pose a danger to pets and cause accidental poisoning, illness, or injury. This Thanksgiving and holiday season, keep your pets safe from these holiday dangers and avoid a visit to a Katy, TX emergency animal hospital.
Holiday Foods that are Toxic to Pets
Many of the ingredients you will be using to make your favorite Thanksgiving and holiday dishes and desserts could be very dangerous to your pet. While toxicity varies depending on the amount your pet ingests, your pet’s size and weight, and their age and overall health, these common ingredients can cause vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, gas, excessive thirst, panting, drooling, wheezing, lethargy, and even seizures and death:
- Chocolate
- Nuts
- Garlic
- Onions
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Sugar free foods, drinks, and candies that contain xylitol
- Chives
- Yeast
- Coffee and caffeine
- Alcohol
- Citrus fruits
- Raw or undercooked meat or eggs
- Salt
Fatty Holiday Foods that May Make Your Pet Sick
Other foods may not be toxic or poisonous to your pets, but they contain too much fat to be healthy or safe. Ingesting these foods in too high an amount for your pet’s body to process can cause diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, gas, constipation, and stomach pain. Fatty foods can also inflame your pet’s pancreas, which can cause pancreatitis. Keep your pet away from these fatty foods:
- Coconut and coconut oil
- Avocado
- Milk and dairy
- Butter
- Oil
- Meat drippings and scraps
- Grease
- Gravy
- Dark turkey meat
- Peanut butter
Holiday Foods that can Cause Bowel Obstruction
Another common danger to pets during the holidays is food that could be a choking hazard or that could cause an intestinal or bowel obstruction. This is a serious condition that requires surgical intervention and could be fatal. The most dangerous foods are:
- Animal bones
- Yeast dough
- Corn cobs
- Nutshells
- Avocado pits
- Citrus peels
- Fruit and vegetable rinds
Holiday Decorations that Could be Dangerous to Your Pets
Some holiday decorations and pet toys that contain ribbons, felt, plastic, elastic, stuffing, yarn, string, squeakers, small eyes or other items that can be chewed off. Be aware of the toys and decor in your home that could cause a problem to your pet, including:
- Pet bones that can be chewed up and ingested
- Kids’ toys that have parts that can be chewed or swallowed by your pets
- Ribbons and bows
- Twist ties from packaging and foods
- Rubber bands and elastic ties
- Candles
- Toxic holiday flowers and plants
What to Do if Your Pet Has an Emergency
If your pet is showing signs of poisoning, illness, or injury, you should take them to an emergency veterinarian as quickly as possible. At All Pets Animal Hospital & 24 Hour Emergency Care, we specialize emergency veterinary services in Katy, TX. We are open 24/7/365 and we welcome walk-ins. You can also call ahead or book an appointment online.
