With Christmas just around the corner, it’s a good time to remind everyone to make it a safe holiday for your pet.
With food, candy, plants, and other goodies changing hands, take the time to familiarize yourself with common toxic plants and foods. Remember, just because you can eat doesn’t mean it’s safe for your pet. While ibuprofen is great for a headache, it’s toxic to your pet.
Let’s start with plants. Common Christmas plants are yew and poinsettia. The former is highly toxic, attacking the central nervous system. Poinsettias, on the other hand, are not toxic. However, they can cause stomach upset and vomiting. I had a run in with that myself last Christmas. Best to keep them out of your pet’s reach.
Now what about foods? Again, you can’t use yourself as the test. Common foods like onions, garlic, grapes and raisins can be highly poisonous. These foods may not seem like they would be harmful, but cats and dogs have their own unique physiology. Cats, for example, do not have gall bladders. Their gastro-intestinal system is that of a carnivore. They process foods differently.
Chocolate is another one on the list. While it calms us, it can act as a central nervous stimulant in cats. Caution is recommended since ingestion can be fatal.
Holidays are such happy times. A little extra care and you can make it a safe holiday for your pet.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Numbers:
1-900-443-0000 ($45.00 per case. The charge is billed directly to caller’s phone.)
1-888-426-4435. $45.00 per case, credit card only.)
Follow-up calls can be made for no additional charge by dialing 888-299-2973.
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December 30th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Hi I like your post
January 1st, 2009 at 12:41 am
hanks for sharing your blog with all of us, very imformative.