Holiday Dangers for Your Pet

If you are like most people, you include your furry friends in your holiday celebrations — after all, they're part of the family. However, your pets may not appreciate the revelry in quite the same manner as their human counterparts. Some pets would be better off spending holiday gatherings in a closed-off room in a quiet part of the house.

Even though they may enjoy the attention they get from guests, it's possible for your pets to become overly excited, and with the door opening and closing frequently as people come and go, domestic pets may slip out the door unnoticed. At Sheehy Animal Hospital in Livonia, MI, we can microchip your pet so it can be reunited with you in case this occurs. Let’s look at a few more holiday dangers to be aware of to keep your furry friends safe.

Eating the Wrong Foods

Holiday foods tend to be rich, and some contain ingredients that are toxic to domestic pets. Chocolate, onions, garlic, and grapes are just a few of the common culprits. Even if you don't personally feed your furry friend from the holiday table, your duties as host or hostess may preclude you from keeping a sharp eye on things to prevent guests from slipping your pet treats from their plates or a sneaky pet helping itself to the contents of an unattended plate.

Drinking the Wrong Beverages

Most pets are just as curious about what's in our glasses as they are about what's on our plates. Even an innocuous-seeming beverage such as a glass of soft cider can cause sickness in household pets. If a pet has ingested too much of an adult beverage such as spiked eggnog, you'll probably have to interrupt the festivities for an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

Eating the Wrong Decorations

Mistletoe and poinsettias are toxic to both cats and dogs, and even exotic pets are tempted by tinsel. Although tinsel itself doesn't contain poisonous materials, it can wreak havoc on your pet’s intestines if ingested.

Quality Veterinary Care in Livonia, MI

Keep these dangers in mind this holiday season and if something does go wrong and you need a veterinarian, visit Sheehy Animal Hospital or call us today at (248) 615-7670. From our family to yours, have a happy and safe holiday.